Use of Observation Balloons by the Japanese

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Edward L. Hsiao
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Use of Observation Balloons by the Japanese

#1

Post by Edward L. Hsiao » 03 Jun 2019, 20:40

Does the Imperial Japanese Army used observation balloons during WWII espeacially during the Second Sino-Japanese War?

Edward L. Hsiao

jerryasher
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Re: Use of Observation Balloons by the Japanese

#2

Post by jerryasher » 03 Jun 2019, 21:32

I assume yes to observation because with the landing at Hangzhou in early November, balloons were used to proclaim the landing of 100,000 men as psy ops at Shanghai. Use would have been constrained by .A) Chinese Air Force which through November 1937 was highly competitive and B.) alternatives in the form of OP's within Shanghai concession, ships borne, particularly float planes from cruisers and C.) air including photo operations. Hope that helps.


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fontessa
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Re: Use of Observation Balloons by the Japanese

#3

Post by fontessa » 03 Jun 2019, 23:25

Hello Edward,
Edward L. Hsiao wrote: Does the Imperial Japanese Army used observation balloons during WWII espeacially during the Second Sino-Japanese War?
Balloon Regiment (東部12309, Tobu 12309) was renamed from Balloon Unit in 1936 with 昭和11年軍令陸乙第19号 Army Regulation “B” No.19. (It was transferred from the aviation department to the artillery department in June 1936.)
The organization of Balloon Regiment:
- HQ
- 1st Company
- 2nd Company
- Materials Depot (Maintenance Unit)

1st - 3rd Independent Balloon Companies were mobilized at Balloon Regiment during China Incident.
https://www.jacar.archives.go.jp/aj/met ... 1005788400& [表示]

Balloon Regiment and Replacement Unit were mobilized with 昭和19年軍令陸甲第124号 Army Regulation “A” No.124 dated 8 September 1944. This was mobilization of 『ふ』号作戦気球部隊 (風船爆弾 Balloon Bomb Operation Unit).

fontessa

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Akira Takizawa
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Re: Use of Observation Balloons by the Japanese

#4

Post by Akira Takizawa » 04 Jun 2019, 06:19

Observation balloons were widely used during the Sino-Japanese War at Shanghai, Nanjing, Xiushui River, Hong Kong etc. They were also used at Nomonhan and at Singapore and Bataan/Corregidor in the Pacific War.

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Edward L. Hsiao
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Re: Use of Observation Balloons by the Japanese

#5

Post by Edward L. Hsiao » 04 Jun 2019, 08:55

I don't suppose there were any known shootdowns of Japanese observation balloons by Chinese and Allied aircraft during 1937-1945 war?

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Akira Takizawa
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Re: Use of Observation Balloons by the Japanese

#6

Post by Akira Takizawa » 04 Jun 2019, 10:26

At Nomonhan, an observation balloon was shot down by Soviet fighters and balloon crews were killed. It is only example that Japanese observation balloon was shot down by enemy aircraft.

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Re: Use of Observation Balloons by the Japanese

#7

Post by ROLAND1369 » 05 Jun 2019, 14:52

A Japanese Observation Balloon was used extensively during the artillery bombardment of Corregidor during the 1942 Phillipines campaign.

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fontessa
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Re: Use of Observation Balloons by the Japanese

#8

Post by fontessa » 05 Jun 2019, 16:56

It was 1st Balloon Company. At the beginning of the war, this unit belonged to 25th Army captured the Murray Peninsula. Then, after the fall of Singapore, it was transferred to 14th Army of the Philippines capture and was put into the bombardment of Corregidor.

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robdab
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Re: Use of Observation Balloons by the Japanese

#9

Post by robdab » 07 Jun 2019, 04:15

Morton does a nice job of describing the Japanese bombardment efforts against Corregidor at
http://www.corregidor.org/chs_army/morton_02.htm

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