Japs' Eye View

After a little more than two years of steady losing, what do the Japs think of the way U.S. soldiers fight? Here are some Japanese opinions collected in various ways by the U.S. Army: The basis of the tactics of the U.S. Army may be said to be a belief in the almighty power of materialistic fighting strength. Although the Americans are not adept at military deception and subterfuge, their leadership is extremely reliable and their spirit on the offensive should not be treated lightly.

The enemy is capable of altering his tactics quickly. The enemy understands machinery and is adroit at handling it. Speed characterizes his construction of airfields, motor roads and communication networks.

Enormous Shooters. U.S. expenditure of ammunition for guns and automatic firearms is enormous. When a force of about 100 men sets out to attack, the sound of their firing is almost continuous and gives the impression that a much larger force is being employed. At first, this is likely to have a disheartening effect on our morale.

Americans are skillful at using automatic rifles, grenade rifles and trench mortars. U.S. observation of only one or two Japanese soldiers may result in sudden and concentrated trench-mortar fire.

This happened to our regimental commander and myself when we were in a place where grasses were above our chests.

As I took out my glasses to observe the situation we received a trench-mortar shelling seven to eight yards away.

The infantry's sniping is very effective.

The artillery and infantry are skillful at joint action. It is important for us to devise plans that will tempt the enemy to scatter and waste his fire.

The U.S. infantry is not aggressive and does not attack with anything like enthusiasm unless it is capable of maintaining terrific fire power. Their usual method is to penetrate positions where they do not expect to encounter Japanese forces. They do not specialize in charges.

Death in the Night. They are noisy, and gaps between U.S. positions are relatively large. Consequently, infiltration is easily accomplished. Dawn and dusk are best times for attack. It is especially easy to approach U.S. positions and launch an attack when it is raining, inasmuch as U.S. soldiers lie low in their trenches and try to stay under cover of their ponchos.

The Guileless Americans. In jungle areas they place fallen trees in front of their positions and snipe at our men, who are obliged to clamber over these trees, often stumbling in the process. For this purpose, U.S. snipers often take up positions in standing trees near by.

Since U.S. soldiers direct their fire at sounds when they cannot see a target and are likely to fire their rifles blindly from their trenches, it is comparatively easy to surround their positions, if one acts with coolness and deliberation. In such cases, the best method is to attack with hand grenades and then to switch promptly to hand-to-hand combat. American soldiers are terrified by our night attacks.

The U.S. soldier depends too much on his material power and is deficient in spiritual strength. The industrial might of the U.S. must eventually bow to the spirit of Bushido.

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