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Japanese Warfare: A Summary
Military Intelligence Service, Information Bulletin No. 16, May 20, 1942
[DISCLAIMER: The following text is taken from a WWII U.S. War Department Information Bulletin. As with all wartime intelligence information, data may be incomplete or inaccurate. No attempt has been made to update or correct the text. Any views or opinions expressed do not necessarily represent those of the website.]


Section VIII: CAMOUFLAGE

27. GENERAL

The Japanese have made full use of camouflage, using nets for personnel, horses, and equipment and adding jungle foliage to complete the job.

28. FOR PERSONNEL

Each soldier has body and head nets, either or both of which may be worn, according to circumstances. The nets are made of a greenish-colored straw fiber cord or ordinary twine with a square mesh slightly less than 2 inches in size. The body net is 1 by 1 1/2 yards, and the head net fits snugly over a cap or metal helmet.

29. FOR MACHINE GUNS

This net is made of heavier material than those already mentioned, and it has a slightly larger mesh and is of the same color.

30. FOR ARTILLERY

Similar in texture to that of the machine gun, the artillery net is large enough to cover the piece and its personnel. The net is attached to the ends of poles or other convenient supports at a height sufficient to enable the piece to be operated unhindered.

31. FOR VEHICLES

Vehicles usually are camouflaged with paint and local vegetation, and sometimes they are covered with nets. Armored force vehicles normally are painted irregularly in indeterminate shades of khaki, yellow, brown, and green. Some of the ordinary motor trucks are painted like the armored vehicles, though usually they have been of a sandy khaki color.

32. FOR AIRCRAFT

Camouflage of aircraft is practiced generally and apparently with good effect. Many fighter planes are painted jet black. Type 96 heavy bombers frequently have been camouflaged with irregular curling lines of light gray and light green. Type 97 reconnaissance planes have been observed painted a dark gray.

 


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