WWII Imperial Japanese Army Military Astronomy Field Navigation Manual 1937
WWII Imperial Japanese Army Military Astronomy Manual. “How to Determine Direction by the Stars”. Published November 1, 1937. This is an original pre-war Japanese military astronomy manual titled. “Heiyo Tenmon – Hoshi de Hogaku wo Shiru Ho”. Military Astronomy – How to Determine Direction by the Stars. The book was written by. Major General Tokihisa Kojima. And published by Koseisha. The colophon (publication page) clearly states. Published November 1, 1937 (Showa 12). Military Navigation Before GPS. Before GPS, radio navigation, and modern electronic equipment, soldiers often relied on the night sky to determine direction during field operations. This manual was created to teach practical methods of navigation using celestial bodies. Finding Polaris (the North Star). Determining direction from stars. Solar and celestial orientation methods. Numerous diagrams, charts, and constellation illustrations are included throughout the book. Rather than a general astronomy guide, this is a practical military field manual intended to teach navigation and orientation techniques useful for soldiers operating in the field. Graduated from the Imperial Japanese Army Academy and later the Army War College. He served during the Russo-Japanese War and eventually rose to the rank of Major General. Kojima was also known for his strong interest in astronomy and reportedly maintained a private observatory, making this publication an unusual combination of military science and astronomical knowledge. Published in 1937, the same year the Second Sino-Japanese War began, this book provides a fascinating glimpse into how military personnel learned navigation techniques before modern technology existed. It represents a unique intersection of. Survival and navigation techniques. A scarce and interesting reference for collectors of Imperial Japanese military material, navigation history, and pre-war scientific publications. Age-related wear, foxing, and discoloration are present. Please examine all photographs carefully for condition details. International Buyers – Please Note. Thank you for your understanding.