Subject: Japan, World War II
Period: 1945 (dated)
Publication:
Color: Printed Color
Size:
5.4 x 7.9 inches
13.7 x 20.1 cm
This well-preserved leaflet labeled 32-J-1 was produced by the Psychological Warfare Branch of the U.S. Army. It was dropped by U.S. forces on "Jap troops in P.I. (Philippine Islands) or elsewhere." The illustration on the front shows a map of Japan with 3 panels of text quoting Prime Minister Koiso, Lieutenant General Homma, and General Yamashita over a two-month period (Dec 1944 - Feb 1945) boasting about Japan's military and anticipated victory. Koiso stated "Japanese forces will, by all means, drive the enemy from the island (Leyte) into the sea." Homma declared "all over Luzon our steel will is in readiness and the enemy's plan to land on Luzon has been well anticipated. Yamashita proclaims "At long last Douglas MacArthur is in my iron trap. I have been chasing him all over the southern seas, but each time he has slipped away. This time it will be different and my pleasure at a face-to-face meeting will be realized."
The back of the leaflet contains additional Japanese text questioning these leaders' statements: "The leaders in the military circles, taking little notice of your indescribable hardships and the sacrifice of your comrades' valuable lives, have a habit of publishing these boasts just prior to a defeat. What do you think about these words spoken by your great men?"
References:
Condition: A
A clean sheet with a few staple holes at top and bottom. Accompanying text page is lightly toned with small staple holes along the sides.