Post by masterchief on Sept 24, 2009 23:36:25 GMT 8
Japanese Special Naval Landing Forces or marine infantry units were officially known as Rikusentai.
Rank Insignia
They used Navy ranks instead of the Army rank insignia. Their uniforms and personal equipment were similar that to the IJA, but had some significant differences. Originally green rank insignia was used for SNLF officers. These were worn on either shoulder boards or collar tabs. Enlisted men wore red on green round ratings on the upper sleeves. Later the standard black Japanese Naval collar rank was adopted and worn by officers. The enlisted men went to red on blue round ratings.
Uniform
The uniforms of the SNLF were olive drab version of the IJA's M98 (1938) uniform, as to their IJA counterparts had khaki brown. It consisted of a single breasted tunic had a stand and fall collar, three buttons which ran down the front. the SNLF usually wore this uniform with the collar open and officers wore it with a shirt and tie. The tie was originally dark blue but was later changed to green.
Footwear
Like the Army soldiers, the Japanese "marines" wore lace-up, ankle-length marching boots with hard rubber or steel hobnailed soles, and above these wrap-around puttee leggings, but the Navy boots were black leather while the Army's were usually brown. Long trousers or pantaloons were worn as standard along with the puttees and tapes. All except mounted troops (who wore breeches and high leather boots) wore this uniform with horsehide, pigskin or leather ankle-boots.
Headgear
Finally, on the front of the steel helmet (the Japanese helmets, both Army and Navy, being relatively flimsy compared to the US model), where the Japanese Army soldiers sported a small yellow star, and the Navy infantry had an anchor emblem. As with the Army foot soldiers, the Japanese naval infantry frequently wore netting over their helmets, into which bits of the local foliage could be stuck for camouflage purposes.
Additional readings:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_Special_Naval_Landing_Forces
Rank Insignia
They used Navy ranks instead of the Army rank insignia. Their uniforms and personal equipment were similar that to the IJA, but had some significant differences. Originally green rank insignia was used for SNLF officers. These were worn on either shoulder boards or collar tabs. Enlisted men wore red on green round ratings on the upper sleeves. Later the standard black Japanese Naval collar rank was adopted and worn by officers. The enlisted men went to red on blue round ratings.
Uniform
The uniforms of the SNLF were olive drab version of the IJA's M98 (1938) uniform, as to their IJA counterparts had khaki brown. It consisted of a single breasted tunic had a stand and fall collar, three buttons which ran down the front. the SNLF usually wore this uniform with the collar open and officers wore it with a shirt and tie. The tie was originally dark blue but was later changed to green.
Footwear
Like the Army soldiers, the Japanese "marines" wore lace-up, ankle-length marching boots with hard rubber or steel hobnailed soles, and above these wrap-around puttee leggings, but the Navy boots were black leather while the Army's were usually brown. Long trousers or pantaloons were worn as standard along with the puttees and tapes. All except mounted troops (who wore breeches and high leather boots) wore this uniform with horsehide, pigskin or leather ankle-boots.
Headgear
Finally, on the front of the steel helmet (the Japanese helmets, both Army and Navy, being relatively flimsy compared to the US model), where the Japanese Army soldiers sported a small yellow star, and the Navy infantry had an anchor emblem. As with the Army foot soldiers, the Japanese naval infantry frequently wore netting over their helmets, into which bits of the local foliage could be stuck for camouflage purposes.
Additional readings:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_Special_Naval_Landing_Forces