WWII Imperial Japanese Army Gas Defense Civilian Air Raid Manual 1937
Published in 1937, this is an original prewar Japanese civil-defense manual titled Citizen’s Gas Protection Handbook, compiled by the Imperial Japanese Army Science Research Institute. The book was issued by Maeda Chijodo and was intended not for soldiers, but for ordinary civilians preparing for air raids, poison-gas attacks, incendiary bombs, and other dangers of modern warfare. Its contents include subjects such as: Protection of cities from air raids General gas-defense measures First-aid and rescue stations Different types of gas injuries Civilian gas masks and protective equipment An appendix on how to fight fires caused by incendiary bombs Instructions for civilian anti-gas equipment The Imperial Japanese Army Science Research Institute was established in 1919 as an Army research organization involved in military science and technology, including chemical warfare, gas protection, and related fields. It was abolished in 1941 during a major reorganization of the Army’s technical research system, with its functions transferred to successor organizations. What makes this book especially interesting is its audience. This was not a battlefield field manual. It was created for civilians at a time when the possibility of modern aerial warfare reaching Japanese cities was becoming increasingly real. The dramatic cover shows bombers flying over a city, while the text discusses poison gas, air-raid precautions, and even incendiary-bomb firefighting. It is a direct surviving document from the period when war was beginning to move beyond the battlefield and into the everyday lives of civilians. A fascinating piece for collectors of Japanese military history, civil-defense material, chemical-warfare history, and prewar civilian life. Condition: Shows age-related staining, foxing, toning, wear, and general deterioration. Please examine the photos carefully for condition. Own a Piece of History. International Buyers – Please Note.