Napalm, a type of gasoline, was contained in a regular hexagonal tube, which ignited easily and burned for a long time, causing a raging fire. The most widely used incendiary was called the M69. They were especially powerful in areas where houses were densely packed together. developed these bombs to attack Japan because fires caused by incendiaries could cause serious damage. Because most houses in Japan are made of wood, the U.S. The bombs that burned Japanese cities to the ground were incendiary bombs. It is said that this delay caused a significant number of deaths. ![]() In the case of the Tokyo Air Raid, the alarm sounded seven minutes after the bombing began. When air raids began to occur at night, people started sleeping with their clothes on so that they could escape immediately. When the alarm sounded, people rushed to evacuate. When the planes were known to be approaching, sirens were sounded to warn the public of the danger. Large towns were bombed one after another, and many people lost their homes and families. However, after the Tokyo Air Raid of March 10, 1945, the attacks became indiscriminate, burning down targeted towns. At first, the main targets were military factories. Not until Novemdid Japanese cities frequently experience air raids. The first air raid on the Japanese mainland took place on Ap– several months after Japan joined World War II.Īfter that, no bombers attempting air raids were seen for about two years. The number of students was not disclosed, as it was a military secret, but it is estimated to be as many as 130,000, many of whom died on the battlefield and never returned to school. In December 1943, students were also called on to join the army. However, under the draft deferment system, students enrolled in universities and technical colleges were not required to go to war until they graduated.Īs the war dragged on, the number of soldiers became insufficient. Men were required to take a conscription examination at the age of 20, and those who passed the examination were obliged to serve in the military. Until the end of the war, there was a conscription system. Some children continued to live in urban areas because their parents did not apply, they were physically weak, or they were not suited to group living. Most of the schoolchildren at that time suffered from internal organ and respiratory diseases caused by malnutrition. This forced many children to leave their parents and live in groups in an unfamiliar place. This was called “Sokai.” There were two types of evacuations: “evacuation to their relatives in the countryside” and “mass evacuation,” in which the entire school of children was moved to rural areas where there were no air raids. When air raids increased the danger in urban areas, children were instructed to leave the cities. The person delivering the “akagami” handed it to the man or his family saying “Congratulations.” The person often went on to say, “You should be grateful that you (your son/husband) have now been given the honorable chance of serving the country and the Emperor.”Įvacuation of schoolchildren (Gakudo Sokai): ![]() People lived in fear of what this “akagami” might bring. Akagami was so-called because the “Temporary Call-up Order,” a summons to the battlefield, was printed on red paper. ![]() Women who remained in Japan were also involved in the war in various ways, such as by working in military factories. Those who neglected these duties were condemned as “unpatriotic.”ĭuring the war, many men were recruited to the battlefields. Those who criticized the government or the military were arrested by the Special High Police, known as “tokko.” Citizens were placed in “Tonari Gumi” (Neighborhood Association) and obliged to perform tasks such as assigning government bonds, recovering metal, sending off would-be soldiers, welcoming the remains of deceased soldiers, performing labor service, and conducting air defense exercises. After the outbreak of the Sino-Japanese War, the suppression of thought and speech became increasingly severe.
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