Besides the usual kit that we use, there are several details about an impression of an Imperial Army soldier during the Burma Campaign that I wanted to point out. A few items will be required, but most of the items are optional. I'd love to see a nice mix of some or all of the recommended items at our Burma event next summer. Please look over the list as well as the original photos included below and tailor your impression accordingly.
REQUIRED
-TROPICAL UNIFORM: Either the 2/3 sleeved uniform or the short sleeved "half shirt" can be worn. No Type 98 summer uniforms allowed! 90% of all uniforms seen in the Burma campaign against the British/Commonwealth are the tropical uniform. It will most likely be very hot at the event, so as a safety issue as well as an authenticity issue, the tropical uniform is required for this event. You can get the set for $65 at Hiki Shop. A very cheap uniform that can be used for many scenarios that we do. Please be sure to order 1-2 sizes larger than you normally wear, especially if you are bigger. [click here for shirt] [click here for pants]
-CAP HAVELOCKS: Burma is one of the few campaigns where there is a consistent use of neck flaps. They are cheap enough that we can all wear them for this event. [click here]
-TYPE 38 ARISAKA: For logistical reasons, most if not all troops in Burma were issued with weapons chambered in 6.5mm (T38 rifle, T38 carbine, T44 carbine, T11 & T96 LMGs, etc). I'm not saying that you have to go out and buy another rifle, if all you have is a Type 99, but we do have some loaners in the unit, if someone needs one, so that we can do our best to all carry the same rifle for this event.
-6.5mm BLANKS: Of course if you are carrying a Type 38 rifle you will need to invest in 6.5mm blanks for it. I'm not sure if Atlantic Wall Blanks is making these yet, but I know Joe Swanson's supplies them and they seem to work well in the rifles we have used them in. [click here]
-CAP HAVELOCKS: Burma is one of the few campaigns where there is a consistent use of neck flaps. They are cheap enough that we can all wear them for this event. [click here]
-TYPE 38 ARISAKA: For logistical reasons, most if not all troops in Burma were issued with weapons chambered in 6.5mm (T38 rifle, T38 carbine, T44 carbine, T11 & T96 LMGs, etc). I'm not saying that you have to go out and buy another rifle, if all you have is a Type 99, but we do have some loaners in the unit, if someone needs one, so that we can do our best to all carry the same rifle for this event.
-6.5mm BLANKS: Of course if you are carrying a Type 38 rifle you will need to invest in 6.5mm blanks for it. I'm not sure if Atlantic Wall Blanks is making these yet, but I know Joe Swanson's supplies them and they seem to work well in the rifles we have used them in. [click here]
OPTIONAL / RECOMMENDED
Please note that the following items are not required, but recommended for anyone who would like to get them, they will enhance your Burma impression
-PITH HELMET: One of the more unique items seen in the Burma theater is the use of the Japanese army pith helmet. Its main purpose was to provide an effective means of shading the soldier while being lighter and cooler than the steel helmet or the wool field cap. If the pith helmet is being worn, the steel helmet is strapped to the backpack and vice versa. There is a company in Australia who sells a nice looking repro of the IJA pith helmet. It would be cool if several members were able to get one of these for the event, but not required. If you get one of these, leave it out in the sun and weather for a couple months (seriously), it will fade from the dark green to a nice light khaki. [click here]
-HELMET COVER w/ HELMET NET: Unlike most campaigns, the IJA can be seen wearing the helmet net WITH the cover together in the jungles of Burma. The original intention of the cover was to reduce the buildup of heat on the helmet, while the purpose of the net was to attach foilage for camoflage. If you have an IJA helmet cover and net, wear them together for this event. [click here]
-GAS MASK BAG: Unlike many countries, Japanese ground troops continued to carry their gas masks through the end of the war. Photos of POWs after the Empire's surrender in 1945 can still be seen carrying their gas mask bags in Burma. The gas mask itself is not required, but the bag is a good item to have, and you can carry extra water, rations, or grenades in it. [click here]
-CAMOFLAGE NETTING: A very good detail to have, these were draped over the shoulders or over the backpack and foilage attached for effective camoflage, seen a lot in Burma. Hiki Shop now sell repros for $36. [click here]
-SHELTER HALF "ASSAULT" ROLL: A lighter way to carry a few necessary items on your back without having to use the full backpack. Simply take what you wish to carry and roll it up in the shelter half and strap it across your body. Before taking the field, we will hold a tutorial on how to properly assemble and wear the assault rolls. The full Type 98 backpack was also worn in Burma. [click here]
-TABI SHOES: If you have them, I highly recommend wearing them. They are much lighter and more quiet than leather boots, and from what I understand, held up better than the leather boots in the wet conditions of Burma. Leather boots are still widely used, so it is your choice. [click here]
-HACHIMAKI SWEAT RAG: This is highly recommended, keep it around your neck, or stashed in your breadbag. A good item to have regardless, but especially for Burma. Stewart's Military Antiques has repros on clearance for $10 each. [click here]
-TYPE 38 or 44 CARBINE: If you already have one, this is the event to use it, I've seen a few photos of IJA carrying these in Burma. They are handy to have in dense jungle fighting.
-PITH HELMET: One of the more unique items seen in the Burma theater is the use of the Japanese army pith helmet. Its main purpose was to provide an effective means of shading the soldier while being lighter and cooler than the steel helmet or the wool field cap. If the pith helmet is being worn, the steel helmet is strapped to the backpack and vice versa. There is a company in Australia who sells a nice looking repro of the IJA pith helmet. It would be cool if several members were able to get one of these for the event, but not required. If you get one of these, leave it out in the sun and weather for a couple months (seriously), it will fade from the dark green to a nice light khaki. [click here]
-HELMET COVER w/ HELMET NET: Unlike most campaigns, the IJA can be seen wearing the helmet net WITH the cover together in the jungles of Burma. The original intention of the cover was to reduce the buildup of heat on the helmet, while the purpose of the net was to attach foilage for camoflage. If you have an IJA helmet cover and net, wear them together for this event. [click here]
-GAS MASK BAG: Unlike many countries, Japanese ground troops continued to carry their gas masks through the end of the war. Photos of POWs after the Empire's surrender in 1945 can still be seen carrying their gas mask bags in Burma. The gas mask itself is not required, but the bag is a good item to have, and you can carry extra water, rations, or grenades in it. [click here]
-CAMOFLAGE NETTING: A very good detail to have, these were draped over the shoulders or over the backpack and foilage attached for effective camoflage, seen a lot in Burma. Hiki Shop now sell repros for $36. [click here]
-SHELTER HALF "ASSAULT" ROLL: A lighter way to carry a few necessary items on your back without having to use the full backpack. Simply take what you wish to carry and roll it up in the shelter half and strap it across your body. Before taking the field, we will hold a tutorial on how to properly assemble and wear the assault rolls. The full Type 98 backpack was also worn in Burma. [click here]
-TABI SHOES: If you have them, I highly recommend wearing them. They are much lighter and more quiet than leather boots, and from what I understand, held up better than the leather boots in the wet conditions of Burma. Leather boots are still widely used, so it is your choice. [click here]
-HACHIMAKI SWEAT RAG: This is highly recommended, keep it around your neck, or stashed in your breadbag. A good item to have regardless, but especially for Burma. Stewart's Military Antiques has repros on clearance for $10 each. [click here]
-TYPE 38 or 44 CARBINE: If you already have one, this is the event to use it, I've seen a few photos of IJA carrying these in Burma. They are handy to have in dense jungle fighting.
