Bows and crossbows as simplified weapons of the Japanese People's Volunteer Corps in 1944–1945.
Introduction
In the final years of World War II, Japanese military leaders began preparing for the homeland's defense against the expected Allied invasion. In June 1945, the People's Volunteer Corps (Kokumin Giyū Sentōtai, 国民義勇戦闘隊) was formed to mobilize the civilian population for territorial defense. One of the key challenges in creating such units was arming them.
With limited production capabilities, the Japanese army was forced to look for the cheapest and simplest possible models. weapons, suitable for production outside of large arsenals. Against this backdrop, programs to develop simplified projectile weapons—bows, crossbows, and special arrows, including explosive ammunition—are of particular interest.
A Japanese soldier trains women to defend the Japanese homeland with bamboo spears, 1945. Source: tumblr
American intelligence report ORDNANCE TECHNICAL INTELLIGENCE REPORT No. 19 He indicated that the Japanese army was developing short bows and crossbows suitable for home production, as well as standard and explosive arrows. This information is confirmed by Japanese archival materials from the 1st Army Research and Technical Institute, which contain the results of tests of similar weapons in December 1944.
These documents are of particular value because they demonstrate that the development of bows and crossbows was not an isolated improvisation, but part of a centralized program to create simplified weapons for mass civilian formations.
Reasons for the development of simplified throwing weapons
By 1944, the Japanese army faced increasing supply difficulties. The production of modern small arms and ammunition was no longer sufficient to fully supply both the active army and the reserve units being formed. Under these circumstances, simplified weaponry projects, aimed at minimizing the use of scarce materials and enabling local production, became increasingly important.
Civilian weapons of the People's Volunteer Corps, 1945. Source: ORDNANCE TECHNICAL INTELLIGENCE REPORT No. 19
Bows and crossbows had a number of advantages:
- a limited amount of metal was required for their production;
- the main materials could be wood and bamboo;
- production allowed the use of small workshops;
- The weapon did not depend on the consumption of ammunition.
According to the report of the 1st Army Research and Technical Institute, the purpose of the tests was to check "functionality, striking power, accuracy, and the feasibility of adopting it into service" bows, crossbows and various types of arrows intended for long-range combat and use by the People's Volunteer Corps.
Trials of December 1944
The tests were conducted from December 11 to 14, 1944, at the Futsu proving ground under the supervision of specialists from the 1st Army Scientific Research Technical Institute. The commission included officers artillery, technical services and representatives of the Armament Directorate.
Short bow. Source: ORDNANCE TECHNICAL INTELLIGENCE REPORT No. 19
The following were presented for testing:
- longbows;
- short bows;
- Model Ko crossbows;
- Otsu Model crossbows;
- standard combat arrows;
- explosive arrows.
Longbows were commercially produced items, approximately 221 cm in length. Shortbows, approximately 182 cm in length, were crafted by master archers and were a smaller version of the traditional Japanese bow.
Crossbow Model Co. Source: ORDNANCE TECHNICAL INTELLIGENCE REPORT No. 19
The Model Ko crossbow had a wooden stock and a full-fledged trigger mechanism. Its limbs were similar in design to a short bow. The Model Otsu crossbow was a much simpler, handcrafted design: the limbs were made of wood and bamboo, and the design itself was oriented toward home production.
Design and technical features
The testing committee found the Model Ko longbows, shortbows, and crossbows satisfactory in terms of strength and functionality. These models were noted to have sufficient durability and demonstrate good performance.
The Otsu Model crossbow received a more measured assessment. According to the report, its limbs, made of wood and bamboo, lacked elasticity, and the lack of a proper trigger mechanism reduced its range and penetration.
Otsu Model Crossbow. Source: ORDNANCE TECHNICAL INTELLIGENCE REPORT No. 19
However, even this model was considered fit for use after certain modifications were made.
The documents also contain information on arrow production. For shafts, it was recommended to use bamboo aged 2–3 years, approximately 12 mm in diameter. Curvature was corrected by heating. Paper or thin bark, if feathers were not present, were allowed for fletching.
Longbow. Source: JACAR (Japan Center for Asian Historical Records)
Such recommendations demonstrate the project's focus on the widest possible and cheapest production using available materials.
Performance characteristics
The tests showed the following characteristics of the samples:
Tactical and technical characteristics of bows and crossbows
American intelligence report ORDNANCE TECHNICAL INTELLIGENCE REPORT No. 19 gives similar values: the effective range of a short bow was estimated at approximately 90 yards, and a crossbow at approximately 50 yards when using explosive arrows weighing 100–200 g.
Using standard arrows, the commission concluded that longbows, shortbows, and Model Ko crossbows possessed sufficient lethality to incapacitate targets. For the Model Otsu crossbow, the effective range was limited to approximately 50 meters.
Ease of use
One of the main objectives of the tests was to assess the suitability of the weapon for use by untrained personnel.
According to the report, the longbow was awkward to shoot from low positions and required considerable skill. Accuracy depended largely on the shooter's training. The shortbow proved more comfortable due to its shorter length and lower draw weight.
Crossbows received the highest marks. The testing committee noted that shooting from them "extremely simple from any position", and it's safe to use even for non-specialists. The ease of operation and guidance was particularly emphasized.
These findings suggest that crossbows were primarily considered a weapon for mass civilian militias that lacked serious military training.
Standard combat arrows
The test documents contain descriptions of several types of tips:
1. Willow leaf (Yanaji-ba); 2. Shining diamond (Hikari-bishi); 3. Chisel (Hira-ne); 4. Fish fork (Mata-gashira); 5. Sword-shaped (Ken-bishi); 6. Single-sided tip (made of tin). Source: JACAR
For handicraft production, the simplest forms were recommended, which could be made from available materials.
The possibility of using poisonous substances on arrowheads was specifically noted. According to the report, applying poison could have a lethal effect even on a relatively minor wound.
Combat arrows. Source: ORDNANCE TECHNICAL INTELLIGENCE REPORT No. 19
Explosive arrows
The most unusual element of the program was the explosive darts, which were an attempt to combine traditional projectile weapons with modern explosive ammunition.
The Model Ko explosive boom was equipped with:
- simplified small fuse;
- Flame tube Type 97;
- a powder charge weighing about 15 g;
- fragmentation element weighing about 100 g.
The total weight of the arrow was about 180 g.
During the tests, the arrow was launched at a metal plate simulating a target. After the explosion, shrapnel struck shields located up to two meters from the epicenter. According to the report:
- at a distance of 1 m, about 14 fragment hits were recorded;
- at a distance of 1,5 m - about 9 hits;
- at a distance of 2 m - about 4 hits.
The commission concluded that the effective lethal radius was approximately two meters. It was noted that shrapnel was capable of piercing animal skin and causing severe injuries.
Explosive arrows. Source: ORDNANCE TECHNICAL INTELLIGENCE REPORT No. 19
The lethal effect of a direct hit was particularly emphasized. According to the report, a direct hit from such an arrow resulted in instant death or fatal injuries.
The Otsu Model explosive arrow had a significantly more powerful charge. Its design utilized:
- simplified detonator;
- Flame tube Type 97;
- a charge of gunpowder weighing about 15 g;
- approximately 58 g of "yellow powder" (picric acid), similar to the charge of a Type 99 hand grenade.
During the tests, extremely high destructive power was recorded. According to the report, the test animal's body was torn apart and its bones shattered.
In fact, these ammunitions were light, improvised fragmentation grenades launched using a bow or crossbow.
Practical evaluation of the project
Despite the commission's positive assessments, the capabilities of such weapons remained limited.
Weather conditions, especially wind and rain, significantly impacted shooting accuracy. The effectiveness of longbows depended largely on the archer's training. Home-made designs had a limited lifespan and were inferior to modern firearms in terms of rate of fire and range.
However, tests show that the Japanese army considered bows and crossbows to be quite suitable auxiliary weapons for:
- weapons of militia units;
- defense of fortified areas;
- actions in conditions of ammunition shortage;
- close combat and ambush actions.
Of particular interest were explosive arrows, which made it possible to significantly increase the destructive effect while maintaining the relative simplicity of the design.
Conclusion
Tests of bows and crossbows conducted by the 1st Army Technical Research Institute in December 1944 show that the Japanese army considered such weapons as practical weapons for the People's Volunteer Corps and other defensive forces.
Documents indicate the existence of a centralized program for the development of simplified weapons, aimed at mass production using wood, bamboo, and minimal amounts of metal. Of particular interest are explosive arrows, an attempt to improve the effectiveness of traditional projectile weapons through the use of explosives.
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