Secret and special weapons in Shōwa Japan

This article refers to plans for the incorporation and development of special or secret weapons in Imperial Japan during the first part of the Showa era, for the Second Sino-Japanese war and World War II, that were originally hidden from public knowledge to protect their efficacy. Weapons prohibited by the Geneva Protocol were of specific interest to Japan, since it was thought that if a weapon was banned then it must be particularly effective.

The United States and Germany are more famous for their development of special weapons, but Japan and Russia to a lesser extent both pursued weapons development.

The weapons developed by Japan included biological, chemical, and advanced conventional weapons. A diverse cross section of institutions and individuals in wartime Japan participated in various areas of development, such as The Munitions Ministry (Japan), the Tokyo Imperial University, the Riken (Japanese Institute of Physics and Chemical Research), the Black Dragon Society, the Mitsubishi business conglomerate, and the Nakajima Company. Military units involved included the Kempeitai, First Tachikawa Army Arsenal, Sagami Army Arsenal, and Yokosuka Naval Arsenal.

Japanese army interests in development of secret weapons

With the reinforcement of the defenses of the homeland, a strong desire arose within Imperial General Headquarters to improve the military situation by the invention of Special or Secret weapons for decisive combat. In order to apply science to military problems, from every aspect, IGHQ therefore appealed to scholars and technical experts for their co-operation.

Among the various assorted types of such weapons intended for decisive battle, the Japanese Army made efforts to put infra-red radiation to practical use. They tried to perfect heat-seeking bombs, in order to sink American troopships, with a 100% certainty of kill. This was expected to retrieve Japan's fortunes in one fell swoop.

In mid-1944, experimentation with these projectiles was carried out near Lake Hamana, in co-operation with many scholars and technicians. Difficult problems appeared in succession, however, requiring resolution, and the bombs could not be put to practical use. Other secret weapons were evaluated with similar results.

Since the war situation was coming to a head before the completion of thermal-ray weapons, IGHQ was obliged to rely upon ramming techniques: Suicide ships or "special-attack" planes which could be easily produced in large numbers. Weapons for decisive combat thus came to mean suicidal expedients.

Another project—this one slightly more successful—was the Fire balloon (fūsen bakudan), a paper-enveloped hydrogen balloon carrying a small bomb, which actually could reach the United States by taking advantage of the jet stream, which the Japanese were the first to discover. For six months starting in November 1944, the Japanese Army's Special Balloon Regiment released balloons (totaling some 9,000). The object was not necessarily to inflict casualties but to damage morale in the U.S.. In practice little damage was caused, only six people killed and forest fires started. The Japanese were convinced the campaign did no damage due to the suppression of news of the balloons.

At Japanese Army schools, the students were not very well trained in science and technology. Infantry remained the backbone of the Japanese Army, as in olden days. Spiritual strength was considered to be the primary element in the acquisition of victory.

With the deterioration in the war situation, there was a growing desire within military circles to perfect miraculously effective weapons.

Nevertheless, it became abundantly clear that the low scientific level of the nation could not possibly yield elaborate weapons. Thus, during the course of the war, the gap between the Japanese and the American scientific potential for national defense grew ever wider with the passage of time.

Weaknesses in national science were certainly a major factor in Japan's loss of the war, but poorness and neglect of science were not attributable to the Japanese Army alone. It may well have been because the Japanese adopted principles of makeshift expediency ever since the Meiji era.

The Japanese Army's attitude toward technology incurred many kinds of great criticism from private sources at the time, the major points being the following:

Advanced Infantry weapons

Artillery weapons

Vessels (Army vessels)

Mass destruction weapons

The Japanese investigated nuclear weapons but progressed no further than laboratory experiments.

Chemical and biological weapons research was carried out by Unit 731, Unit 100, Unit 516 and other similar sections. Some of the unit commanders were prosecuted for war crimes, while others, such as Unit 731, were granted immunity from prosecution in exchange for sharing biological warfare secrets with the American military.

Advanced aircraft and missiles

This section analyzes some advanced types of Army and Navy aircraft:


Nakajima J8N-1 Kikka
Mizuno Shinryu as Designed.

Suicide Attacker

This bomber for long range capacity, in 1943, was used as a Maritime reconnaissance/Radar aircraft for long range missions and some electronic warfare work in the seas.
From 1942, the G4M of this model was also used for the same purpose as the G3M bomber at maritime long range capacities.
In 1944, some torpedo bombers of mentioned types used with antisubmarine, radar detection (with finding radar equipment) and similar purposes in maritime short or medium range missions from carriers or land bases.
This experimental modification were for managed Air-To-Air guided missiles evaluations, during 1944-1945.

Advanced armament and engines

Advanced tanks and armour equipment and captured armors

Armoured fighting vehicles under development before the end of the war.

Special Weapons technology of local design

"I-Go" are the remote control unmanned miniature special vehicles (like the German "Goliath"). This weapon breaks open a passage in an obstacle. And this is controlled, or is destroyed a pillbox, and it does other charge work. I-Go carries an explosive, a smoke pot, and other working tools. Remote control was possible in distances of 1000 m and more.
This weapon destroys an obstacle on the water and develops a smoke screen by remote control at the time of the crossing big river operations.
The cannon ball propelled by gunpowder rocket or a liquid fuel rocket.
This project was canceled.
A research project to develop a gun to give a shell high initial velocity and long range through electromagnetic power. Project was canceled.
This is a rocket weapon which is connected to a length of piano wire. After launching, it expands over the enemy's head, and applies a high voltage to the piano wire. The voltage was from 2,500-5,000 V. But the launching distance is short. The development of the net was also difficult. The project was canceled.
This is the research of detecting the infrared rays which are generated from the engine. Aircraft were sensed by 7000 m, and they could be complemented by 3000 m. The project was canceled by the development of radar.
U-go planned to use a powdered dust explosion to create thunderclouds. The project was canceled.
Ku-go aimed to employ microwaves created in a large magnetron.
The Japanese army built balloon bombs to attack the American mainland. A little more than 9,000 of these balloons were launched. It is estimated about 1,000 made it to the U.S. Only six confirmed deaths are attributed to one these bombs: a woman and five children near Lakeview, Oregon, were killed when the bomb exploded as they attempted to move it.
Is over some projects why developed to missile level certain prototypes of Fieseler Fi-103 and suppose any example of V-2, for convert at this in guided missile with nuclear, chemical or biological warhead. Are one alternative weapon for envoyed nuclear artifact against the United States, but these projects did not advance past the theory or planning stages before the finish of the war.

Electronic Radar Warfare

See also

References

  1. ↑ US NAVAL TECHNICAL MISSION TO JAPAN, Target Report - Tenth Military Experimental Station, 22 January 1946 Fischer-Tropsch Archive

Sources

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