Manchurian Stormtroopers

[Lawrence]

Does anyone know what unit this soldier belongs to? I ask this because of his armband (blue with red bordering around a white skull) seems to be a rare sight. It is mentioned briefly in the Osprey Japanese Army volume 1, but the armband is named as a 'Manchurian Stormtrooper' emblem in the book 'Rise and Fall of Imperial Japan 1984-1945'.

What were the Manchurian Stormtroopers?

[Peter H]

Armband described in the references above

[Peter H]

More Skull & Bones in Manchuria




Who were these "Manchurian Stormtrooper" units?

What was the significance of the color Orange,including the armband above?

[Lawrence]

You know Peter, it almost looks like the soldier with the black gauntlets in your picture is also the figure in the one I posted.

[Peter H]

i think your right..looks like the same dude

[faf_476]

'Rise and Fall of Imperial Japan 1984-1945'.

Kinda weird but was that really 1984?

The picture in group doesn't resembles the background color of the patch in the 2nd post.

What does that mean? Different unit?

[Peter H]

It appears the photos show the 'Skull Squadron' under a Lieutenant Ikegami.

Looks like armbands and flags were "unauthorised",but Ikegami's efforts to raise unit pride was picked up in the Japanese press.

[Peter H]

Same unit? Looks like Ikegami on left.

[cortodanzigese]

I wonder what equipment had Red Army guard units in the Far East.

[Peter H]

From: http://bbs.tiexue.net/

The same unit again

[Zaf1]

The flag looks like ordinary Japanese national flag but with skull and crossbones emblems on it. It looks similar to SS death head insignia, did they copy the Germans or the other way around?

[Lawrence]

It looks similar to SS death head insignia, did they copy the Germans or the other way around?

Doubtful. The skull and crossbones is a very old symbol, and has been used around the world in various military formations. That photo was reportedly taken in 1931-32, before Hitler, and the SS specifically, had really taken the world stage.

[CowboyCarl]

This unit was used as storm troop in Manchurian area. And the unit was destoryed in 1932 in Rehe. All KIA, included the Lieutenant. Pictures of big funeral can be found in some Japanese documents. The records in Chinese of this unit are very rare. Most of the records are in Japanese. Whoever knows more about that can provide more information.