For Sale: TM 30-480 Handbook On Japanese Military Forces

[David Dunlop]

This is a Good Plus example of the very first edition of this manual printed May 14, 1941, well before the United States entered into World War Two. It is in 6" x 9" format approximately one half inch thick. I would rate it in better condition but someone wrote their name on the front cover, there is a large ink scribble on the back cover and the previous owner wrote a note to me on the inside front cover. A subsequent update of this manual was issued in September 1942. From late 1942 to 1945, a number of other updates were published, however the format changed to 8.5" x 11" and the manual reference number was changed to TM-E-30-480 for some reason.

The structure of the Japanese Military is well covered. The major emphasis is the Army and its supporting Air Corps, though for the Air Corps the focus is on weapons carried, rather than aircraft types. A foldout map of Japans Prefectures is included, along with a section on the Japanese Language and Military Map markings that may be encountered. Lots of photographs of artillery pieces and most Japanese tanks.

Some of the interesting references are:

- A Japanese built copy of the Light Tank, Vickers-Armstrong, 6-Ton Alternative A.
- Germany was rumoured to be training a Paratroop Regiment for the Imperial Japanese Army.
- Germany was going to be supplying the Imperial Army Air Corp with a new .5 cal Bren.
- The Japanese truck makers Chiyoda, Sumida and Toyota were building vehicles patterned after the British Wolseley.
- Nissan was building a car based on the 1934 Graham-Page with a 1927 Graham-Page engine.

The overall impression one gets reading through the manual is that the assessment of the moral and determination of the Japanese troops was spot on. Equipment was deemed obsolescent overall but in the process of being upgraded. Military tactics were primitive but determination made up for that shortcoming. Kudos were given for night time fighting skills which the US Army seemed to feel they excelled at. A very interesting insight into American prewar concepts.

$125.00 US Funds plus postage.

David