the japanese helmet
The history and evolution of the Japanese helmet in the 20th century is a bit complex. It begins with the intervention in Siberia of the forces of the Entente with Japan in 1918 to try to stop the expansion of the communist revolution. Given the intervention of Japan in this operation, the use of the combat helmet was proposed, but since the Japanese soldier had no experience in its use (Japan did not intervene in WWI) the attempt was a total failure. The experience with this "first model" has been practically forgotten, and it is even very difficult to find a copy, as well as photographs.
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In 1922, with the introduction of the new combat equipment, an attempt was made to introduce the combat helmet again. The design of this helmet was based on the French Adrian, which will receive the official name ofkabuto. It had the air holes at the top, and which would later be covered with a cherry blossom-shaped lid (designated respectively: model 1 and model 2), and which were used for the first time in combat in China in 1928.
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With experience in combat, the helmet modelo 1922 revealed a series of drawbacks: it was complex to produce, heavy and impractical in combat, as the rear wing of the helmet was in the way with the combatant's backpack, in "body to ground" position. In 1927 the study and design of a new model began, with the following parameters:
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easier to manufacture
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maintain the protective qualities, minimizing its weight
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reduce manufacturing cost
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After the study of several options with the corresponding tests and modifications, in March 1930, the new combat helmet Model 3 was approved, which received the name: "Type 90 -Tetsu-kabuto". In 1932 with the intervention in Manchuria by Japan, the use of the new Type 90 model by the army became official, progressively displacing the previous 1922 model.
An army ordinance of April 1932, modified the classification of the combat helmet as an element of the uniform and not as a weapon as it had been classified to date, also taking advantage of the name change toTetsu-Bou.This change facilitated the production of the helmet as it was one more component of the uniform and its supply depended on the Army Technical Office.
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Despite the fact that as of July 1932, the Japanese Army was already using the new Type 90 helmet, the Japanese Navy used the 1922 model helmets that the Army discontinued. The Japanese Navy did not change the classification of the helmet as a piece of clothing, maintaining the weapon classification, so the helmets were "lent" when there were combat or conflict needs. It was not until 1934 that surpluses of the new Type 90 helmet began to be "loaned" (we indicated "loan" since they had to be returned to the arms depot when combat needs ended).
With theshanghai incident (1932) the Japanese navy requested urgent help from the army arsenal, to equip the naval troops for the landing, with which they were supplied with 1922 model helmets, that were mixed with the first 1922 model that the navy already had, creating a chaotic mix of the helmets used in the landing.
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The image clearly shows the helmet model used by the marine infantry in Shanghai in 1932:
We could say that finally in 1937 (with the sino-japanese war) the Type 90 helmet (model 3), remained as a helmet model in use for both the army and the navy. With which we conclude, that the helmet used by the Japanese army in combat in a general way during World War II, was the Type 90 or M1930/32 model.
The helmet was made of chrome-molybdenum steel, with a 1 mm thick plate, with an approximate weight (according to talla) of 1 kg, it had four ventilation holes in the dome. With the use of the helmet in combat it was possible to appreciate the little protection it offered against rifle shots, for this reason between 1932 and 1938 work was carried out for the study and development of a helmet that gave greater protection._cc781905-5cde-3194-bb3b -136bad5cf58d_
Finally, and after several projects and tests, the new type of helmet called Type 98 was approved -Jyu-Tetsubo, made of 2 mm thick sheet metal with a weight of 1.9 kg. it also had the possibility of adding frontal armor. This new model was classified as a weapon receiving the later name of Type 98Tetsu-kabuto. This helmet was manufactured in a few units, leaving its use practically limited to snipers, sentinels and in use in special missions, currently being very difficult to find.
The interior consists of a leather band (hoop) attached to the helmet by three points, to which are added three leather tabs with interior padding, and with two lobes each that are linked together.
This helmet model was made in two sizes, large and small, but there are also indications that they were made in a medium size.
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Regarding the chinstrap, finally, a design was chosen to support the helmets of the ancient samurai, after many tests with the classic chinstrap, and consists of a band of cotton fabric attached to the sides and rear by metal rings.
Different methods of tying the chinstrap:
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1 - early way of tying the chinstrap for model 2
2 - method for model 3 in use in the army.
3 - method for model 3 used by the army, allows the use of gas mask
4 - method used for model 3 with the shortest chinstrap (savings in materials)
5 - method used for the paratrooper helmet, similar to the one used in model 2.
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As already stated, the helmet was used by both the Japanese Army (IJA - Imperial Japanese Army) as by the army (IJN - Imperial japanese navy), each using its identifying elements. The helmets used by the army had a metal star on the front, generally of the same color as the helmet:
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and in the helmets used by the navy we can find three types of emblems: a metal anchor, an anchor with a chrysanthemum flower in the center (of which there were two designs), or a painted yellow anchor .
Usually the helmets were painted brown, ocher or khaki, also gray green or dirty yellow. and those used by the IJN on bluish-grey ships. It is curious to observe that there are someblack painted helmets, and it is assumed that this type of camouflage was used during the end of the war, when the air supremacy of the American army forced the Japanese army to fight at night and with it the attempt to improve the camouflage of the troops by painting the helmets of black color, we find details of this fact in the book:
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Japanese Special Naval Landing Forces by Gary Nila & Robert A. Rolfe
CAMOUFLAGE:
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Apart from painting, the classic methods were also developed: camouflage nets, and cloth covers:
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Regarding the covers, there were two models, the first (1938):
