The Punch Below the Belt

**Jedburgh** · 01-21-2009

Military Intelligence Service, War Department, 1 Aug 45:

The Punch Below the Belt: Japanese Ruses, Deception Tactics and Antipersonnel Measures

The favorite Jap punch is below the belt. Probably no army in the history of warfare has equalled the Japs in treachery and craftiness. From the sneak raid on Pearl Harbor, through the various Asiatic and Pacific Island campaigns, the Japs have used every trick, every deceit to gain advantage. Now, as they're backed tighter and tighter against the wall and know they're fighting a losing, suicidal battle, they can be expected to depart further and further from orthodox tactics, rely more and more on trickery. The first thing any soldier who is to fight against the Japs must learn is that under no circumstances are they to be trusted......

Very interesting pamphlet, great illustrations - published just days before the first atomic bomb was dropped on Japan.

**Bill Moore** · 01-21-2009

:d

**Jedburgh** · 01-21-2009

Originally Posted by Bill Moore

A Politically Incorrect Classic

You're right - but I was just considering that perhaps that made it that much more readable. We put out a tremendous amount of product looking at threat TTPs - but most of it is very dry, and - from what I've seen, at least - the majority attracts only a limited, dedicated audience from the mass of troops.

This pamphlet has great cartoons - most of which would never be approved for official publication today - but it also provides solid countermeasures to the threat TTPs discussed, and includes photographs illustrating several of those countermeasures. Note Chapter 7: Boobytraps and the discussion of several types of IEDs. Would a similarly packaged product today enjoy greater informal distribution among the troops? (facilitating greater dissemination of threat TTPs and countermeasures)

I wonder, because as a real example of negative PC impact I immediately think of PM (Preventive Maintenance) magazine. I recall the days when the cartoon Connie and Bonnie were really hot - showing a lot of cleavage and leg - and the issues were widely disseminated in the motorpool. I also recall when they cleaned up their act, and that resulted in a rapid diminution of those who were now interested in PM magazine.

I'm just rambling here, because I know it'll never happen. But it would be a blast to put together a current threat TTP along the these lines......

**Entropy** · 01-21-2009

You can "alter" training a bit at the unit level to make it more interesting - as an intel weenie, I do it all the time - try to inject humor or whatever to keep interest in a dry subject an thereby increase learning. It's easy to step over the line, though, so you have to know your audience pretty well and know what you can get away with and what might get you in trouble.

**Backwards Observer** · 01-22-2009

Aside from the manual's solid technical grasp, what is interesting is how relatively good-natured it seems, given the savagery, some might even say depravity, of the Pacific Theater. My grandfather on the rice-powered side of the family was "interviewed" by the kempeitai in occupied Kuala Lumpur during the Japanese Time. He was not seen again; although it is said that his head made an appearance on a spike atop the local cinema.

The IJA seemed to enjoy considerable latitude in their conduct during the period, much of which could not be construed as benign.

**Jedburgh** · 08-11-2012

Originally Posted by Backwards Observer

Aside from the manual's solid technical grasp, what is interesting is how relatively good-natured it seems, given the savagery, some might even say depravity, of the Pacific Theater. My grandfather on the rice-powered side of the family was "interviewed" by the kempeitai in occupied Kuala Lumpur during the Japanese Time...

Here's another Pacific Theater throwback now available on the 'net, the 1 June 1946 Japanese Methods of Prisoner of War Interrogation:

This report, based on material available to ATIS, GHQ, to 19 November 1945, presents evidence that the Japanese Army had a high regard for intelligence obtained through the interrogation of prisoners of war; that the interrogation was conducted at both the front and rear areas; that interrogation techniques varied from the gentle to cruel; that prisoners were interrogated for the purpose of obtaining tactical, technical and propaganda information; and that interrogation was detailed and thorough.

**Fuchs** · 08-11-2012

Originally Posted by Jedburgh

I wonder, because as a real example of negative PC impact I immediately think of PM (Preventive Maintenance) magazine. I recall the days when the cartoon Connie and Bonnie were really hot - showing a lot of cleavage and leg - and the issues were widely disseminated in the motorpool. I also recall when they cleaned up their act, and that resulted in a rapid diminution of those who were now interested in PM magazine.

This?

http://my-retrospace.blogspot.de/201...nnie-rodd.html

Btw, the famous Tigerfibel employed a similar technique. Overall, manuals and training films from the 40's-70's period were much more fun than the modern ones.