Japanese Infantryman, Spring 1944
The simple, lightweight Japanese uniform was from the first quite suitable for tropical campaigning, and underwent little change during the war years. As wartime shortages began to bite there was a certain amount of substitution of nonstrategic materials, however: many leather items were replaced with cheaper equivalents made of vulcanised fibre or rubberised cloth.
This soldier is wearing the lightened equipment typical of the jungle campaigns. The cap, shirt, and 'horseshoe roll' containing basic necessities were characteristic of the defenders of the Pacific Islands against the US forces, and of Burma against the British 14th Army. Although some issue items - e.g. the gasmask - have been discarded as useless encumbrances, he still carries, fixed to his bayonet, the goodluck flag presented by his family.
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