Attack on a British Tank on the road to Shwedaung, Burma Japanese Propaganda Photo

Attack on a British Tank on the road to Shwedaung, Burma Japanese Propaganda Photo

The photo shows a group of several Japanese soldiers attacking an an American lend-lease M3 Stuart Tank of the British 7th Armoured Brigade that is on fire. What's interesting in the description is the emphasis on the triumph of the heroic Japanese soldier against mechanical and technical superiority. Later war US propaganda leaflets would directly highlight the absurdity of this belief, stating that Japanese fighting spirit could not compensate for lack or ammunition, food, or air superiority. This early war photo goes so far as to celebrate a soldier taking on a tank armed only with a bayonet. Rather than being horrified that their leaders would send soldiers into battle so poorly equipped, the Japanese public was being told to glorify the heroic sacrifices made under such circumstances. Additionally, no mention is made of the Burma Independence Army and their assistance to the Japanese during the battle. British loses are also significantly exaggerated with only 10 tanks and 2 field guns being lost in the battle.

Translation of Japanese text on the reverse:
"Machine or Spirit, getting go up to enemy tank
The landing and battle of Kota Bharu was unparalleled in our military history. One of our divine solider threw oneself onto the enemy pillbox, confronting the blazing enemy gun ports with flesh and blood. On the Burma front, a solider with only a bayonet grappled with an enemy tank.
No, its not limited to Kota Bharu or Burma. Ever since receiving the order to defeat the US and British forces, the battles of machines and machines have unfolded countless times in Hawaii, the Philippines, the Greater East Asia Sea, and all operational areas advancing under the Imperial Banner. In every battle, victory has consistently been on outside.
A deadly struggle between solider to solider- once again the song of victory was with the imperial army. The battle between machines and humans-once again, facing the life-and-death determination of Imperial Army soldiers, their unwavering loyalty and remarkable spirit it was difficult to counter enemy’s mechanical strength. Breaking conventional wisdom and surpassing science, the fiery spirit of attack overwhelmed the power of machines.
This is also one of those scenes—a valuable close-up attack on tanks captured by the camera of the head office correspondent near Shwedaung in northern Burma.
Thanks to the brave battle of these soldiers, the Harada Unit was awarded a letter of commendation from the Iida Commander-in-Chief of the Burma Front. On October 13th, they achieved the honor of being recognized for their distinguished service.
After the capture of Rangoon, the Harada Unit reversed its course and advanced to Shwedaung on the morning of March 19th. On the following 30th day, they blocked the retreat route of the enemy's force. Following an intense battle lasting tens of hours, they captured and annihilated the British mechanized unit consisting of around 60 to 70 tanks, armored vehicles, over ten artillery pieces, and around a hundred automobiles."

March 29th, 1942

Translations provided by Yuske Tamura