May 27, 2012 • 3 notes • splashman.phoenix.wikispaces.net
Walls of Nanking 1937

Walls of Nanking 1937

May 26, 2012 • 6 notes • splashman.phoenix.wikispaces.net
Marco Polo Bridge- Shanghai 1937

Marco Polo Bridge- Shanghai 1937

May 25, 2012 • 1 note • militaryimages.net
Yasukata Oku (Oku Yasukata) (5 January 1847—19 July 1930) was a Japanese field marshal and leading figure in the early Imperial Japanese Army.Born in Fukuoka to a samurai family of the Kokura domain in Buzen Province, joined the military forces of the nearby Choshu domain in their struggle to overthrow the Tokugawa Shogunate and bring about the Meiji Restoration.Military CareerAppointed a commander of the new Imperial Japanese Army, he fought against the insurgents during the Saga Rebellion of 1871. He was later a survivor of the Taiwan Expedition of 1874. During the Satsuma Rebellion, he defended Kumamoto Castle during its siege as commander of the 13th Infantry Regiment.During the First Sino-Japanese War he succeeded General Nozu Michitsura commander of the Fifth Division of the First Army. Later, he successively held posts as commander of the First Division, commander of the Imperial Guards and Governor-general for the defense of Tokyo. He was elevated to the title of danshaku (baron) in 1895, and was promoted to army general in 1903.During the Russo-Japanese War, he went to the front as commanding general of the Second Army and was noted for his role in the Battle of Nanshan, Battle of Shaho, Battle of Mukden, and other campaigns.He was awarded the Order of the Golden Kite (1st class) in 1906, and elevated from baron to hakushaku (count) in 1907. In 1911, he received the largely honorary rank of Field Marshal.TriviaOku refused to attend strategy and staff meetings, and thereby gained a reputation for being both a “lone wolf” and also a brilliant tactician capable of independent action. However, in fact, Oku’s reluctance to attend the staff meetings was due to his partial deafness, and inability to comprehend and contribute to the discussions. Oku had absolutely no interest in politics, and lived in virtual seclusion after the war. When he died in 1930, many people were astonished, thinking that he had died years previously.

Yasukata Oku (Oku Yasukata) (5 January 1847—19 July 1930) was a Japanese field marshal and leading figure in the early Imperial Japanese Army.

Born in Fukuoka to a samurai family of the Kokura domain in Buzen Province, joined the military forces of the nearby Choshu domain in their struggle to overthrow the Tokugawa Shogunate and bring about the Meiji Restoration.


Military Career

Appointed a commander of the new Imperial Japanese Army, he fought against the insurgents during the Saga Rebellion of 1871. He was later a survivor of the Taiwan Expedition of 1874. During the Satsuma Rebellion, he defended Kumamoto Castle during its siege as commander of the 13th Infantry Regiment.

During the First Sino-Japanese War he succeeded General Nozu Michitsura commander of the Fifth Division of the First Army. Later, he successively held posts as commander of the First Division, commander of the Imperial Guards and Governor-general for the defense of Tokyo. He was elevated to the title of danshaku (baron) in 1895, and was promoted to army general in 1903.

During the Russo-Japanese War, he went to the front as commanding general of the Second Army and was noted for his role in the Battle of Nanshan, Battle of Shaho, Battle of Mukden, and other campaigns.

He was awarded the Order of the Golden Kite (1st class) in 1906, and elevated from baron to hakushaku (count) in 1907. In 1911, he received the largely honorary rank of Field Marshal.


Trivia

Oku refused to attend strategy and staff meetings, and thereby gained a reputation for being both a “lone wolf” and also a brilliant tactician capable of independent action. However, in fact, Oku’s reluctance to attend the staff meetings was due to his partial deafness, and inability to comprehend and contribute to the discussions. 
Oku had absolutely no interest in politics, and lived in virtual seclusion after the war. When he died in 1930, many people were astonished, thinking that he had died years previously.

May 24, 2012 • 2 notes • splashman.phoenix.wikispaces.net
Japanese marines in Chinese Shanghai 1937

Japanese marines in Chinese Shanghai 1937

May 23, 2012 • 7 notes • militaryimages.net
General Oyama Iwao In 1870, Ōyama was sent overseas to the École Spéciale Militaire de Saint-Cyr in France to study and he was official Japanese military observer to the Franco-Prussian War. He also spent three years (1870–1873) in Geneva studying foreign languages, and became fluent in Russian. Ōyama Iwao is the first recorded Japanese customer for Louis Vuitton, having purchased some luggage during his stay in France. After promotion to major general, he went to France again for further study, together with Kawakami Sōroku.[2] On his return home, he helped establish the fledgling Imperial Japanese Army, which was soon employed in suppressing the Satsuma Rebellion, although Ōyama and his elder brother were cousins of Saigō Takamori. In the First Sino-Japanese War, Ōyama was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Japanese Second Army, which after landing on Liaotung Peninsula, carried Port Arthur by storm, and subsequently crossed to Shantung, where it captured the fortress of Weihaiwei. For these services Ōyama received the title of marquis under the kazoku peerage system, and, three years later, he became field-marshal. In the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905 he was named commander-in-chief of the Japanese armies in Manchuria. After Japan’s victory, Emperor Meiji elevated him to the rank of kōshaku (公爵 = prince).[3] Statue of General Ōyama Iwao at Kudanzaka in Tokyo. Marshal Oyama has been disparaged for failing to restrain his troops during the Port Arthur Massacre[4] [edit]Political career As War Minister in several cabinets and as Chief of Staff, Ōyama upheld the autocratic power of the oligarchs (genrō) against democratic encroachments. However, unlikeYamagata Aritomo, Ōyama was reserved and tended to shun politics. From 1914 he served as Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal. [edit]Personal life Sutematsu Ōyama at Vassar Ōyama, who spoke and wrote several European languages fluently, also liked European-style architecture. During his tenure as War Minister, he built a house in Tokyomodeled after a German castle. Although he was very pleased with the design, his wife did not like it at all, and insisted that the children’s room be remodeled in Japanese style, so that they would not forget their Japanese heritage.[5] The house was destroyed by American air raids in World War II. Ōyama’s wife Yamakawa Sutematsu (sister of former Aizu retainers Yamakawa Hiroshi andYamakawa Kenjiro) was one of the first female students sent to the United States by the Empress of Japan in the early 1870s. She spent several years there, graduating fromVassar College in 1882.[6] In 1906, Ōyama was awarded the Order of Merit by King Edward VII. His Japanese decorations included Order of the Golden Kite (1st class) and Order of the Chrysanthemum. Ōyama died at age 75 in 1916. Ōyama was a very large man, and enjoyed large meals. His weight exceeded 95 kilograms, and his death is now attributed to complications arising   - Russo-Japanese War

General Oyama Iwao

In 1870, Ōyama was sent overseas to the École Spéciale Militaire de Saint-Cyr in France to study and he was official Japanese military observer to the Franco-Prussian War. He also spent three years (1870–1873) in Geneva studying foreign languages, and became fluent in Russian. Ōyama Iwao is the first recorded Japanese customer for Louis Vuitton, having purchased some luggage during his stay in France. After promotion to major general, he went to France again for further study, together with Kawakami Sōroku.[2] On his return home, he helped establish the fledgling Imperial Japanese Army, which was soon employed in suppressing the Satsuma Rebellion, although Ōyama and his elder brother were cousins of Saigō Takamori.

In the First Sino-Japanese War, Ōyama was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Japanese Second Army, which after landing on Liaotung Peninsula, carried Port Arthur by storm, and subsequently crossed to Shantung, where it captured the fortress of Weihaiwei.

For these services Ōyama received the title of marquis under the kazoku peerage system, and, three years later, he became field-marshal. In the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905 he was named commander-in-chief of the Japanese armies in Manchuria. After Japan’s victory, Emperor Meiji elevated him to the rank of kōshaku (公爵 = prince).[3]

Statue of General Ōyama Iwao at Kudanzaka in Tokyo.

Marshal Oyama has been disparaged for failing to restrain his troops during the Port Arthur Massacre[4]

[edit]Political career

As War Minister in several cabinets and as Chief of Staff, Ōyama upheld the autocratic power of the oligarchs (genrō) against democratic encroachments. However, unlikeYamagata Aritomo, Ōyama was reserved and tended to shun politics. From 1914 he served as Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal.

[edit]Personal life

Sutematsu Ōyama at Vassar

Ōyama, who spoke and wrote several European languages fluently, also liked European-style architecture. During his tenure as War Minister, he built a house in Tokyomodeled after a German castle.

Although he was very pleased with the design, his wife did not like it at all, and insisted that the children’s room be remodeled in Japanese style, so that they would not forget their Japanese heritage.[5] The house was destroyed by American air raids in World War II. Ōyama’s wife Yamakawa Sutematsu (sister of former Aizu retainers Yamakawa Hiroshi andYamakawa Kenjiro) was one of the first female students sent to the United States by the Empress of Japan in the early 1870s. She spent several years there, graduating fromVassar College in 1882.[6]

In 1906, Ōyama was awarded the Order of Merit by King Edward VII. His Japanese decorations included Order of the Golden Kite (1st class) and Order of the Chrysanthemum.

Ōyama died at age 75 in 1916. Ōyama was a very large man, and enjoyed large meals. His weight exceeded 95 kilograms, and his death is now attributed to complications arising 

 - Russo-Japanese War

May 22, 2012 • 2 notes • splashman.phoenix.wikispaces.net
Street advance of Nanking 1937

Street advance of Nanking 1937

May 21, 2012 • 52 notes • militaryimages.net
Michitsura Nozu (Nozu Michitsura) (17 December 1840 - 18 October 1908), was a Japanese field marshal and leading figure in the early Imperial Japanese Army.Born in Kagoshima as the son of a samurai of the Satsuma domain, he took part in the Boshin War. In 1871, he was appointed an army major, and later fought against his former colleagues in the Satsuma Rebellion. In 1878, he became commander of the Tokyo military district. Together with War Minister Oyama Iwao, he visited Europe to examine the military systems of various European nations. On returning to Japan, he was appointed commander of the Hiroshima military district and promoted to general in 1894.During the First Sino-Japanese War he led the Hiroshima Division at the Battle of Pyongyang (1894). He succeeded General Yamagata Aritomo as command-in-chief of the Manchurian Army, and fought in that capacity throughout the remainder of the war. Afterwards, he successively held various military posts including Commander of the Imperial Guard Division, Inspector-General of Military Training, and Military Councillor.For his services, Emperor Meiji granted him the rank of viscount in 1895. Nozu commanded the Japanese Fourth Army in the Russo-Japanese War, and was promoted to field marshal in 1906. His title was also upgraded to koshaku(marquis) in 1906.His decorations included the Order of the Golden Kite (1st class) and the Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum.He died in 1908

Michitsura Nozu (Nozu Michitsura) (17 December 1840 - 18 October 1908), was a Japanese field marshal and leading figure in the early Imperial Japanese Army.

Born in Kagoshima as the son of a samurai of the Satsuma domain, he took part in the Boshin War. In 1871, he was appointed an army major, and later fought against his former colleagues in the Satsuma Rebellion. In 1878, he became commander of the Tokyo military district. Together with War Minister Oyama Iwao, he visited Europe to examine the military systems of various European nations. On returning to Japan, he was appointed commander of the Hiroshima military district and promoted to general in 1894.

During the First Sino-Japanese War he led the Hiroshima Division at the Battle of Pyongyang (1894). He succeeded General Yamagata Aritomo as command-in-chief of the Manchurian Army, and fought in that capacity throughout the remainder of the war. Afterwards, he successively held various military posts including Commander of the Imperial Guard Division, Inspector-General of Military Training, and Military Councillor.

For his services, Emperor Meiji granted him the rank of viscount in 1895. Nozu commanded the Japanese Fourth Army in the Russo-Japanese War, and was promoted to field marshal in 1906. His title was also upgraded to koshaku(marquis) in 1906.

His decorations included the Order of the Golden Kite (1st class) and the Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum.

He died in 1908

May 17, 2012 • 3 notes • militaryimages.net
Japanese cruiser Iwate in 1905 postcard  - Russo-Japanese War

Japanese cruiser Iwate in 1905 postcard

 - Russo-Japanese War

May 16, 2012 • 22 notes • splashman.phoenix.wikispaces.net
Japanese marines in Chinese Shanghai 1937

Japanese marines in Chinese Shanghai 1937