Poder de fuego japonés en la defensa
Muchas de las armas japonesas era de corto alcance y pronto se percataron del extenso uso de armas pesadas que hacían las fuerzas Aliadas, sobre todo en artillería. A menudo las posiciones defensivas eran emplazadas de tal modo que pudieran proteger las reservas del frente. Las fuerzas de asalto aliadas estarían expuestas durante su avance sobre el terreno elegido y además dificultaría el empleo de sus propias armas de largo alcance en fuego indirecto.
Un ejemplo de ello lo podemos ver en Sugarlloaf Hill en Okinawa. La colina rocosa estaba recorrida por túneles que unían los nidos de ametralladoras y daban tránsito a las reservas. Los marines alcanzaron seis veces la cima solo para ser expulsados por las reservas japonesas a la vez que sufrían fuertes pérdidas al recibir fuego desde los flancos y la retaguardia. Finalmente se tomó la posición pero en el transcurso ocho compañías de marines fueron diezmadas.
Los regimientos de infantería japonesa estaba compuestos entre 3.800 o 5.600 soldados, dependiendo de su misión y la localización de la unidad. En cuanto a su armamento disponía de 4 x 75 mm cañones regimentales, 6 x 37 o 47 mm cañones anticarro, 4, 8 o 12 HMG de 7´7 mm (Nambu 7´7 mm Model 92 de 1932 o su versión más ligera Model 1 de 1941. También era frecuente encontrar la Model 3 de 6´5 mm de 1914), 2 o 4 cañones de 70 mm, 0 o 8 rifles anticarro de 20 mm (Model 97 de 1937). Estas armas podían realizar fuego semiautomático o totalmente automático con cargadores de siete disparos. Estos rifles eran extremadamente efectivos contra vehículos ligeros y contra personal.
Los batallones estaban compuestos por cuatro compañías de infantería con 180-200 hombres y cada compañía formada por tres pelotones. Los pelotones de infantería disponían de entre 50 y 60 hombres, con tres secciones de ametralladoras ligeras, 13-15 soldados, armados con un rifle Nambu Model 11 de 6´5 mm (1922), Model 96 (1936) o Model 99 de 7´7 mm (1939) más un descargador de granadas de 50 mm Model 89 (1929) o Model 10 (1921). Además disponían de granadas de fragmentación y de humo, junto con la característica bayoneta larga para el rifle.
La compañía de cañones tenía dos pelotones cado uno de los cuales disponía de dos cañones de 70 mm Model 92 (1932), muchos batallones solo disponían de un pelotón de cañones. Estas armas podían emplearse en fuego directo de corto alcance o con fuego indirecto. Sin embargo el fuego indirecto se dejaba frecuentemente a unos pocos morteros. Los batallones independientes de morteros disponían de piezas de 81, 90 o 150 mm mientras que el mortero de 70 mm era muy compacto lo que le permitía emplazarse en cualquier posición defensiva.
Hasta 1943 los americanos solo emplearon vehículos ligeros en sus asaltos (M2A4, serie M3 y M5) pero en noviembre de ese mismo año en el asalto a Tarawa comenzaron a emplear el M4 Sherman y los japoneses disponían de medios limitados para enfrentarse a los elementos acorazados estadounidenses. El empleo de otros medios acorazados (M7, M10, M18, carros lanzallamas…) solo puso más de manifiesto la seria dificultad que tenían los japoneses para detenerlos con las armas anticarro disponibles. En el asalto contra Okinawa las fuertes pérdidas en vehículos acorazados fueron causadas (por este orden) por minas, cañones anticarro, artillería y ataques suicidas con minas magnéticas. Las pobres características de penetración, tanto del 37 mm como del 47 mm, hacían que sus posibilidades contra el blindaje frontal de un M4 Sherman fueran prácticamente nulas. Por ello los japoneses disponían sus cañones anticarro en posiciones favorables para efectuar fuego contra los flancos de los carros de combate.
Otra arma que se encontraba en el arsenal japonés era la ametralladora pesada de 13´2 mm Model 93 (1933) y la de 20 mm Model 98 (1938), ambas con cierta capacidad de penetración de blindaje, sobre todos contra lanchas de desembarco y vehículos ligeros.
A este arsenal habría que sumar los carros de combate, aunque no podían enfrentarse en igualdad de condiciones con un M4 Sherman, si eran sumados a la defensa en posiciones fijas. Los más frecuentes eran el Ha-Go armado con un cañón de 37 mm (Model 95 de 1935) y el Chi-Ha con un cañón de 57 mm (Model 97 de 1937). Estos vehículos, como ya se ha mencionado, se emplazaban en bunkers dónde se sumaba su blindaje a los parapetos. Estas posiciones estaban provistas de rampas de acceso que permitía al vehículo entrar o salir de ellas. Su escaso número y débil blindaje los hacían muy vulnerables al poder de fuego estadounidense.
A medida que los Aliados se aproximaban a las isla los japoneses las reforzaron con nuevas unidades y armamento, en muchas ocasiones ya obsoleto. Una vez que los Aliados desembarcaban en una isla las tropas de apoyo o servicios japonesas (que tenían por misión abastecer de munición, agua, alimentos, etc.) cambiaban su rol siendo incorporados a la defensa activa. Tras más de seis meses de refuerzos se mantuvo un pequeño número de tropas de apoyo y servicio pero la mayoría fueron organizados en batallones de infantería y servidores de armamento. En la defensa también se empleó la mano de obra local siendo armados. Estos hombres eran empleados en zonas de retaguardia en previsión de nuevos desembarcos, seguridad en los flancos y en preparación de nuevas líneas de defensa principalmente.
Fortificaciones japonesas en el Pacífico
An example can be seen in Sugarlloaf Hill in Okinawa. The rocky hill was covered by tunnels that connected the machine-gun nests and giving transit to reserves. The Marines reached the top six times only to be expelled by the Japanese stocks while suffering heavy losses by receiving fire from the flanks and rear. Finally he took the position, but over eight companies of marines were decimated.
Japanese infantry regiments were composed between 3,800 or 5,600 troops, depending on its mission and location of the unit. In terms of weaponry available 4 x 75 mm cannons regimental, 6 x 37 or 47 mm anti-tank guns, 4, 8 or 12 mm HMG 7'7 (7'7 mm Nambu, 1932 Model 92 or Model lighter version 1, 1941. It was also common to find the Model 3 of 6.5 mm, 1914), 2 or 4 cannons of 70 mm, 0 or 8 anti-tank guns of 20 mm (Model 97 of 1937). These weapons could make fire with semiautomatic or fully automatic chargers seven shots. These rifles were extremely effective against light vehicles and personnel.
The battalions were composed of four infantry companies with 180-200 men each company consisting of three platoons. Available infantry squads of 50 to 60 men, with three sections of light machine guns, 13-15 soldiers, armed with a rifle Nambu Model 11, 6.5 mm (1922), Model 96 (1936) or Model 99 of 7 '7 mm (1939) plus a grenade discharger 50 mm Model 89 (1929) Model 10 (1921). Also available in grenades and smoke, together with the characteristic long bayonet for the rifle.
The company had two platoons market guns one of which had two 70 mm cannon Model 92 (1932), many battalions had only one gun firing. These weapons could be used in short-range direct fire or indirect fire. However, the indirect fire often left to a few mortars. Independent battalions of mortars available parts 81, 90 or 150 mm while the 70 mm mortar was very compact allowing it to locate it in any defensive position.
Until 1943 the Americans only used light vehicles on their rounds (M2A4, M3 and M5 series) but in November the same year in the assault on Tarawa began using the M4 Sherman and the Japanese limited means to deal with armored elements Americans. The use of other means battleships (M7, M10, M18, flamethrower tanks ...) only made more evident the serious difficulty for the Japanese to stop them with antitank weapons available. In the assault on Okinawa heavy losses in armored vehicles were caused (in this order) by mines, antitank guns, artillery and magnetic mines suicide attacks. The poor penetration characteristics of both the 37 mm of 47 mm, made their chances against the frontage of an M4 Sherman were practically nil. Thus the Japanese anti-tank guns available to their favorable positions to make fire on the flanks of the tanks.
Another weapon in the arsenal was Japanese was 13.2 mm heavy machine gun the Model 93 (1933) and 20 mm Model 98 (1938), both with some armor penetration capability on all against landing craft and light vehicles.
In this array must be added the tanks, although they could not deal on equal terms with a M4 Sherman, if they were added to the defense in fixed positions. The most frequent were the Ha-Go armed with a 37 mm cannon (Model 95 of 1935) and the Chi-Ha with a barrel length of 57 mm (Model 97 of 1937). These vehicles, as already mentioned, is located in bunkers where their armor was added to the parapets. These positions were equipped with ramps that allowed the vehicle to enter or leave them. The low number and weak armor made them highly vulnerable to U.S. firepower.
As the Allies approached the island of the Japanese reinforced with new units and weapons, often obsolete. Once the Allies landed troops on an island or services support Japanese (who had the task of supplying ammunition, water, food, etc..) Changing their role to be incorporated into active defense. After more than six months of reinforcement remained a small number of support troops and service but most were organized into battalions of infantry weapons and servers. The defense also used the local workforce to be armed. These men were employed in rear areas in anticipation of further landings on the flanks and safety in preparation for new lines of defense mainly.
Fortificaciones japonesas en el Pacífico
English version
Many of the Japanese arms were short range and soon became aware of the extensive use of heavy weapons that made the Allied forces, especially artillery. Often the defensive positions were stationed so that they could protect the reserves from the front. The Allied assault forces would be exposed during their advance on the ground well chosen and hinder the use of their own long-range weapons in indirect fire.
An example can be seen in Sugarlloaf Hill in Okinawa. The rocky hill was covered by tunnels that connected the machine-gun nests and giving transit to reserves. The Marines reached the top six times only to be expelled by the Japanese stocks while suffering heavy losses by receiving fire from the flanks and rear. Finally he took the position, but over eight companies of marines were decimated.
Japanese infantry regiments were composed between 3,800 or 5,600 troops, depending on its mission and location of the unit. In terms of weaponry available 4 x 75 mm cannons regimental, 6 x 37 or 47 mm anti-tank guns, 4, 8 or 12 mm HMG 7'7 (7'7 mm Nambu, 1932 Model 92 or Model lighter version 1, 1941. It was also common to find the Model 3 of 6.5 mm, 1914), 2 or 4 cannons of 70 mm, 0 or 8 anti-tank guns of 20 mm (Model 97 of 1937). These weapons could make fire with semiautomatic or fully automatic chargers seven shots. These rifles were extremely effective against light vehicles and personnel.
The battalions were composed of four infantry companies with 180-200 men each company consisting of three platoons. Available infantry squads of 50 to 60 men, with three sections of light machine guns, 13-15 soldiers, armed with a rifle Nambu Model 11, 6.5 mm (1922), Model 96 (1936) or Model 99 of 7 '7 mm (1939) plus a grenade discharger 50 mm Model 89 (1929) Model 10 (1921). Also available in grenades and smoke, together with the characteristic long bayonet for the rifle.
The company had two platoons market guns one of which had two 70 mm cannon Model 92 (1932), many battalions had only one gun firing. These weapons could be used in short-range direct fire or indirect fire. However, the indirect fire often left to a few mortars. Independent battalions of mortars available parts 81, 90 or 150 mm while the 70 mm mortar was very compact allowing it to locate it in any defensive position.
Until 1943 the Americans only used light vehicles on their rounds (M2A4, M3 and M5 series) but in November the same year in the assault on Tarawa began using the M4 Sherman and the Japanese limited means to deal with armored elements Americans. The use of other means battleships (M7, M10, M18, flamethrower tanks ...) only made more evident the serious difficulty for the Japanese to stop them with antitank weapons available. In the assault on Okinawa heavy losses in armored vehicles were caused (in this order) by mines, antitank guns, artillery and magnetic mines suicide attacks. The poor penetration characteristics of both the 37 mm of 47 mm, made their chances against the frontage of an M4 Sherman were practically nil. Thus the Japanese anti-tank guns available to their favorable positions to make fire on the flanks of the tanks.
Another weapon in the arsenal was Japanese was 13.2 mm heavy machine gun the Model 93 (1933) and 20 mm Model 98 (1938), both with some armor penetration capability on all against landing craft and light vehicles.
In this array must be added the tanks, although they could not deal on equal terms with a M4 Sherman, if they were added to the defense in fixed positions. The most frequent were the Ha-Go armed with a 37 mm cannon (Model 95 of 1935) and the Chi-Ha with a barrel length of 57 mm (Model 97 of 1937). These vehicles, as already mentioned, is located in bunkers where their armor was added to the parapets. These positions were equipped with ramps that allowed the vehicle to enter or leave them. The low number and weak armor made them highly vulnerable to U.S. firepower.
As the Allies approached the island of the Japanese reinforced with new units and weapons, often obsolete. Once the Allies landed troops on an island or services support Japanese (who had the task of supplying ammunition, water, food, etc..) Changing their role to be incorporated into active defense. After more than six months of reinforcement remained a small number of support troops and service but most were organized into battalions of infantry weapons and servers. The defense also used the local workforce to be armed. These men were employed in rear areas in anticipation of further landings on the flanks and safety in preparation for new lines of defense mainly.
The following aerial image we can see the status of Betio Island after its capture by the Marines
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