| Welcome to the web page of the reenacted: 43rd Division, 118th Infantry Regiment of the Imperial Japanese Army |
A Brief Unit History: The 43rd Division was
selected because it was a standard infantry
division, and not elite, of the Imperial Army during
World War II. The 43rd Division was part of the
31st Imperial Army under the command of
Lieutenant General Saito Yoshitsugu, and it would
be one of the divisions stationed to defend the
Island of Saipan of the Mariana Islands chain. The
battle for the Island of Saipan would be bitterly
contested from June 15th to July 9th of 1944. The
43rd Division would be locked in deadly combat
with the 2nd & 4th U.S. Marine Divisions, the 27th
U.S. Army Division, and a Corps of U.S. Artillery.
At the beginning of the battle the garrison of the
selected because it was a standard infantry
division, and not elite, of the Imperial Army during
World War II. The 43rd Division was part of the
31st Imperial Army under the command of
Lieutenant General Saito Yoshitsugu, and it would
be one of the divisions stationed to defend the
Island of Saipan of the Mariana Islands chain. The
battle for the Island of Saipan would be bitterly
contested from June 15th to July 9th of 1944. The
43rd Division would be locked in deadly combat
with the 2nd & 4th U.S. Marine Divisions, the 27th
U.S. Army Division, and a Corps of U.S. Artillery.
At the beginning of the battle the garrison of the
island would start out with 31,000 total troops. The battle would rage for over three weeks and in the end
Japanese casualties would be staggering; 24,000 would be killed in action, 5,000 would commit
suicide, and only 921 would be taken prisoner (that number would primarily consist of the severely
wounded and construction unit laborers). The 43rd Division simply ceased to exist as a unit following
the battle, as was the fate of many Japanese formations ordered to defend an island to the death. The
devotion to the Emperor (and to the Empire of Japan) shown by the majority of the average infantryman
(known as 'Hetai') during World War II is to be respected and remembered in history!
About Us: The 43rd Division is a very informal group of reenactors located all up and down the
eastern seaboard, ranging from the New England states to as far south as North Carolina and every
state in between. We primarily gather as a group annually for the "Battle for Saipan" reenactment held
on a private farm near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (traditionally the event is held in July). Our members
are also encouraged to participate in local or regional tacticals and living history programs to promote
WWII Pacific Theatre reenacting! The unit has no dues and it is not necessary to be Japanese to join.
New recruits are required to purchase their own authentic uniform, gear, and weapon to participate. If
you need help in this process please feel free to contact us (information provided below) and use our
links to help assemble your impression...
Come relive history with us and have a great time doing it!
Japanese casualties would be staggering; 24,000 would be killed in action, 5,000 would commit
suicide, and only 921 would be taken prisoner (that number would primarily consist of the severely
wounded and construction unit laborers). The 43rd Division simply ceased to exist as a unit following
the battle, as was the fate of many Japanese formations ordered to defend an island to the death. The
devotion to the Emperor (and to the Empire of Japan) shown by the majority of the average infantryman
(known as 'Hetai') during World War II is to be respected and remembered in history!
About Us: The 43rd Division is a very informal group of reenactors located all up and down the
eastern seaboard, ranging from the New England states to as far south as North Carolina and every
state in between. We primarily gather as a group annually for the "Battle for Saipan" reenactment held
on a private farm near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (traditionally the event is held in July). Our members
are also encouraged to participate in local or regional tacticals and living history programs to promote
WWII Pacific Theatre reenacting! The unit has no dues and it is not necessary to be Japanese to join.
New recruits are required to purchase their own authentic uniform, gear, and weapon to participate. If
you need help in this process please feel free to contact us (information provided below) and use our
links to help assemble your impression...
Come relive history with us and have a great time doing it!
The Basic Impression: The following items below are what is basically required to be combat or field
ready, naturally any other non-essential items are encouraged but not required such as; a canvas
knapsack, shelter half, entrenching tool, good luck flag, gas mask, and helmet covers, etc. Despite the
fact that the majority of the unit does not have Asiatic features we still make a concerted effort to portray
the most authentic and typical looking Japanese infantryman. We wear what was most commonly seen
and not the odd or rare exception to the rule.
Model 92 Steel Helmet (1932)- painted khaki brown with a star attached to the front since we portray
an Army division. (the anchor was for Imperial Marines or Special Naval Landing Forces)
Campaign or Field Cap (1938)- in wool or cotton with havelock (sun flaps) with yellow star for Army.
Model 98 Tunic & Trousers (1938)- a cotton uniform from khaki to light greenish shades for tropical
wear with a five button front, two side vents, and a tab with button on the left to support the bayonet.
(Please avoid using converted "dickies uniforms" suitable and affordable uniforms are now being
reproduced by several companies.)
Puttee's- wool or cotton material with khaki to brown and light greenish shades being most common.
Note: the Japanese tied their puttee tapes in a characteristically unique "X" fashion!
Leather Low Boot- any low boot with leather soles and hobnailed is suitable due to the lack of
reproduction Japanese footwear. Black rubber soled and fabric 'tabi' shoes with separated big toe are
also acceptable.
Model 1933 Water Bottle- khaki painted aluminum, with web carrier and a wooden stopper is most
common. Note: Japanese soldiers often sewed their names on the web carrier.
Army Haversack- in light canvas of khaki to light greenish shade carried the bare essentials and
personal effects, such as eating utensils, washing kit, and minimal rations.
Leather Infantryman Belt Set- natural leather belt set with a single prong belt buckle and two front
leather pouches (that held 30 rounds each) and one larger rear pouch with oil bottle (that held 60
rounds) and a bayonet frog.
Model 38 Arisaka Rifle- in 6.5mm with sling and appropriate bayonet & scabbard.
or
Model 99 Arisaka Rifle- in 7.7mm with sling and appropriate bayonet & scabbard.
ready, naturally any other non-essential items are encouraged but not required such as; a canvas
knapsack, shelter half, entrenching tool, good luck flag, gas mask, and helmet covers, etc. Despite the
fact that the majority of the unit does not have Asiatic features we still make a concerted effort to portray
the most authentic and typical looking Japanese infantryman. We wear what was most commonly seen
and not the odd or rare exception to the rule.
Model 92 Steel Helmet (1932)- painted khaki brown with a star attached to the front since we portray
an Army division. (the anchor was for Imperial Marines or Special Naval Landing Forces)
Campaign or Field Cap (1938)- in wool or cotton with havelock (sun flaps) with yellow star for Army.
Model 98 Tunic & Trousers (1938)- a cotton uniform from khaki to light greenish shades for tropical
wear with a five button front, two side vents, and a tab with button on the left to support the bayonet.
(Please avoid using converted "dickies uniforms" suitable and affordable uniforms are now being
reproduced by several companies.)
Puttee's- wool or cotton material with khaki to brown and light greenish shades being most common.
Note: the Japanese tied their puttee tapes in a characteristically unique "X" fashion!
Leather Low Boot- any low boot with leather soles and hobnailed is suitable due to the lack of
reproduction Japanese footwear. Black rubber soled and fabric 'tabi' shoes with separated big toe are
also acceptable.
Model 1933 Water Bottle- khaki painted aluminum, with web carrier and a wooden stopper is most
common. Note: Japanese soldiers often sewed their names on the web carrier.
Army Haversack- in light canvas of khaki to light greenish shade carried the bare essentials and
personal effects, such as eating utensils, washing kit, and minimal rations.
Leather Infantryman Belt Set- natural leather belt set with a single prong belt buckle and two front
leather pouches (that held 30 rounds each) and one larger rear pouch with oil bottle (that held 60
rounds) and a bayonet frog.
Model 38 Arisaka Rifle- in 6.5mm with sling and appropriate bayonet & scabbard.
or
Model 99 Arisaka Rifle- in 7.7mm with sling and appropriate bayonet & scabbard.
| "These are the bare essentials to take to the field with the 43rd Division!" |
Schedule of Events:
Battle of Saipan (1944)- July 25th -27th, 2009 An
event hosted by ETO Historical Impressions, Inc.
at Spero's Farm just due south of Gettysburg,
Penn.This event normally attracts anywhere from
15 to 20 Japanese troops, and double that
number in U.S. Army and Marine troops, don't
miss it!
Fall of Bataan (1942)- August 21st -23rd, 2009
Hosted by the "Quick Reenacting Force" at the
Newsome (private property) Battle site in Louisa,
Virginia. The U.S. and Filipino troops will be in a
defensive perimeter simulating the defense of
the Abucay - Mauban Line on the Bataan
peninsula in 1942, Banzai!
Battle of Saipan (1944)- July 25th -27th, 2009 An
event hosted by ETO Historical Impressions, Inc.
at Spero's Farm just due south of Gettysburg,
Penn.This event normally attracts anywhere from
15 to 20 Japanese troops, and double that
number in U.S. Army and Marine troops, don't
miss it!
Fall of Bataan (1942)- August 21st -23rd, 2009
Hosted by the "Quick Reenacting Force" at the
Newsome (private property) Battle site in Louisa,
Virginia. The U.S. and Filipino troops will be in a
defensive perimeter simulating the defense of
the Abucay - Mauban Line on the Bataan
peninsula in 1942, Banzai!
| Where to buy your kit & links to vendors: Stewarts Military Antiques http://www.stewartsmilitaryantiques.com/ This company literally has everything you need (minus your Arisaka Rifle) for your Japanese impression. At the Front Militaria http://www.atthefront.com/ This company has a limited selection of Japanese reproduction items, many are out of stock. E-Bay Vendors Needless to say this is a crap shoot with the various vendors on e-bay, I've had some really good luck with quality products at affordable prices, and I've also had some bad luck as well, buy with caution! (Deals can be found if you know what you are doing) Imperial Japanese Reenactment Unit Links: |
| 2nd Division Sendai, 29th Infantry Regiment http://www.ija2ndsendai.kk5.org/# This unit is primarily located in California |
| 47th Independent Mixed Brigade http://members.aol.com/japsinark/japwebsite/index.html This unit is located in Arkansas, Texas, & Tennessee |
| 9th Imperial Marines, Special Naval Landing Force http://www.9thimperialmarines.com/ This unit is located in New Jersey & surrounding states. |
| 3rd Platoon, Daisan Shoutai http://www.ija3platoon.com/index.html This unit is primarily located in Arizona. |
| Isiu Island Provisional Infantry http://patriot.net/~jstevens/Isiu-Island/ This unit is located primarily in Virginia. |
| 5th Division, 18th Infantry Regiment http://www.geocities.com/alvinlee_81/Syonan.html This unit is primarily located in Singapore. |
| Imperial Japanese Army Yahoo Group (over 200 members strong!) Join today at... http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IJA/ |
| Contact Us: Daisuke Yamato- If you live in the New York, New Jersey, & Pennsylvania area, please e-mail him at: dayamato@gmail.com Patrick Hubble- If you live in the Maryland, Virginia, & North Carolina area, please e-mail him at: patrick.hubble@yahoo.com or (434) 847-4933 during normal hours please. |
You are visitor number... This page was last updated: August 1st, 2009
| Disclaimer: We are a group of military historians who reenact the forces of Imperial Japan. We are not a political group nor do we support or condone extremists ideas or any anti-American ideology. Our reenactment unit does not recreate any war crimes or atrocities. |
| 8th Rentai http://ija8thakarentai.webs.com/ |
| This unit is based in Georgia but has platoons forming all over the eastern U.S. |
