[KAZAMA TETSUTARŌ]. 風間鉄太郎.

隣組家庭防空必携. [Tonarigumi Katei Bōkū Hikkei]
[Essential Guidebook on Family Air Defence in Neighbourhood Units].

東京 [Tokyo]. 防空知識普及協会. [Bōkū Chishiki Fukyū Kyokai. 昭和16 [ 1931]. Stock ID #170413

Black and white illustrations, 173 + 16pp, 4 foldout charts, paperback, 18.5 x 12.5cm, evenly browned throughout, cover slight wear with some very minor spotting, spine lightly discoloured, fore edges have been nibbled in 4 places, still a good copy.

This is a comprehensive guidebook on air defence for city dwellers. This book was distributed to neighbourhood units to enhance their understanding and preparedness. All the Chinese characters have "rubi" (phonetic readings in hiragana) so even those with low levels of literacy can read the information provided.

The book begins with some photographic illustrations of the Emperor and Tokyo Metropolitan government officials signifying the importance of the issues of air defence. Information on enemy aircraft types, bomb and incendiary types, light control method, immediate actions against air raids and fire as well as against poison gas attacks are listed. The supplementary section in the final section of the text was designed for use at neighbourhood unit meetings, with instructions on how to conduct a meeting, some Imperial Rescript excerpts, pages on which to list members and attendance.

This publication demonstrates that the authorities expected air raids on the Japanese mainland before the start of the Pacific War and tried to train civilians, particularly women, to defend themselves and cities. In spite of apparent preparedness, when American planes actually raided all over Japanese cities, the self-defence actions which were advocated in this book proved totally useless, and thousands of civilians were killed and cities burnt to ashes.

When referring to this item please quote stockid 170413.

Price: $250.00 AU

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