In terms of
books dedicated to Axis forces during WWII, Germany consumes
more than the lion's share of literature. Alas, there is little devoted to the
fascinating subject of the Japanese soldier during this global conflict. With
the release of "Warriors of Imperial Japan in World War II", Concord
Publications is doing its bit to help redress this imbalance. As the title
implies, this new volume by Claudio Antonucci is dedicated to the topic of the
Japanese fighting man. The Japanese soldier made spectacular conquests early in
the war before he was finally overwhelmed by the greater resources and might of
the Allied war machine.
The book is made up of a fine blend of colour plates, highly
informative text and contemporary WWII photographs. Perhaps the thing that will
strike readers first and foremost is the photographs, especially because many of
these pictures are reproduced in original colour. The use of colour photos marks
an important departure for this series of books, and it is one that readers will
greatly appreciate. The collection of photos shows Japanese soldiers from all
periods of the war, from the rapid conquests of 1941 through to the bitter
last-ditch defensive battles of 1945. Pictures are sourced from both Allied and
Japanese collections to produce a comprehensive study. They are explained by
usefully detailed captions that offer comment on uniforms, personal equipment
and weapons. Since there are few books that delve into this topic, readers are
certain to greatly advance their knowledge base on the topic. These captions
also include in English notation the original Japanese names of equipment items,
which will aid in identification.
This book contains ten colour plates created by the author. These
plates don't contain just one picture, but multiple illustrations of various
aspects of Japanese uniform and equipment. They are supported by extensive
accompanying text that is a veritable treasure chest of information. This book
is a welcome addition to Concord's series on fighting men. Covering in
great depth the subject of the Japanese soldier ("hei" in Japanese), this book
will remain a vital reference source for years to come.
