Japanese Militaria at Castle-Thunder.com

[Winterhawk]

For some of you who have read my recent posts then you know I have been fortunate to have received a battle claimed all original Type 99 with bayonet from one of my great uncles some 47 years ago. I recently saw a program on the History Channel about the battles in the Pacific. Specifically, the island of Saipan where the rifle and my two uncles came together. It was durring the battle at Aslito Field, one of the staging areas for the US to be able to put bombers within strike range of Japan that the rifle was claimed. To actually see live footage of the fierce fighting the island and the airfield brought added value to owning the rifle. Nice trip down history lane. Can't get that on EBay.

[gwsiii]

there are a few pacific theater dvds available comprised of war footage, for not very much money, see this pacific+war search at deepdiscountdvd.com. I have Colors of War, and a couple others that I've bought from there. I use their free shipping, so I generally receive my orders in 5-10 days.
_________________
Subscribe to BANZAI!
Fill out a Japanese Rifle Datasheet.
I didn't pay to much for that old Arisaka, I just bought it a little bit too soon!

[whitesharkseeker]

Winterhawk, no, your piece of history cannot be obtained on ebay. As a side note, I have been studying the Saipan battle for over 25 years and have visited the island many times so can appreciate the historical value of your rifle. Seems like most of the Japanese pulled their troops back from Aslito on the second or third day of the battle and there was only scattered resistance defending that area, esp. in the cain fields that bordered the field. A number of those troops from the Nafutan Penninsula did, however, mount a significant counterattack and were slaughtered around the airfield while trying break through to their main lines.

The Lost Evidence shows on the Pacific (and elsewhere) are great and you can obtain them on the History Channel website. By the way, you need to visit Saipan to make the rifle experience all that more interesting!

-Eric

[Winterhawk]

Whitesharkseeker, my great Uncle mentioned to me that when they arrived at the air field there was only one Japanese soldier hiding there the rest had pulled out. I'm not sure exactly where or when they claimed the gun leading up to or in the days following the capture of the field. He always refered to the capture of the rifle at Aslito Field. My other great uncle arrived there a few days later as he was with the 1341st combat engineering battalion who worked on the air field to get it shape for large bombers and reconasence planes. It just made the personal value so much more meaningful having seen the actual location and teh events that took place surrounding the battle and teh gun. Too bad we can't querry into a Japanese database and find out whothe rifles were issued to and their background. Thanks for your comments.

[whitesharkseeker]

WH, I have a great photo showing a pile of dead japanese on the Aslito airfield after they were annihilated during their disastrous, banzai-like attack. It shows a group of US soldiers rummaging through the mess. Your rifle could have been found amongst those corpses! Imagine that .

-Eric

[Winterhawk]

My great Uncle said they were allowed to claim rifles from a pile follwing a seige. I wonder if that is it? It's amazing the info you can come across. Thanks!
_________________
http://vrcc.smugmug.com/photos/122875323-M.jpg

[arisakadogs]

I've always wanted to visit Saipan. My Dad was there and later on Okinawa.
This is my favorite photo of him - taken on Saipan.


_________________
"A woman, a dog & and a walnut tree. The more ya beat em, the better they be" (From "The Red Bagde of Courage")

[arisakadogs]

Whitesharkseeker advised me that there is a color photo of Dad's tank in the April 1945 issue of National Geographic. Just happens that issue was available on e-bay, so I got it. Damned if he wasn't right, it is the same tank from a different angle! Thanks WSS!


_________________
"A woman, a dog & and a walnut tree. The more ya beat em, the better they be" (From "The Red Bagde of Courage")

[gwsiii]

That is outstanding! Congrats, Adogs!
_________________
Subscribe to BANZAI!
Fill out a Japanese Rifle Datasheet.
I didn't pay to much for that old Arisaka, I just bought it a little bit too soon!

[whitesharkseeker]

You're welcome! Always looking to help a brother out.

-Eric