WAR DEPARTMENT
                  OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF STAFF
                           WASHINGTON
 
 
                                        February 24, 1942.
 
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT:
 
     Subject: Report by General Wavell on Japanese 
            Tactics, Technique and Equipment.
 
     The following is a brief of a very interesting report that has come to us from General
Wavell, on the above subject:
 
     "The main object of an army is to fight. This idea
is the foundation of all training. It has been proven 
by the Japanese themselves that they are not just imitators 
of the procedures of others. For example, they have made 
important advances in the development of landing techniques 
which include the designing and manufacture of specially 
constructed landing craft carriers, landing craft and as-
sault boats used in landing operations.
 
       "The Japanese have demonstrated that they are quick to 
take over the techniques of foreigners which they see suit-
able for their own characteristics and special requirements. 
It is evident that they have made a close examination of 
the Nazi battle experiences of 1939. In Malaya modern tech-
niques were displayed by : (1) the close cooperation of 
supporting arms with the infantzy, especially in the coopera-
tive action of light artillery and mortars. (2) By the 
use of radio-phone there has been effective cooperation of 
air forces with ground forces. The fact that the army has 
its own air arm facilitates this cooperation. (3) The
Japanese have made use of great noise as an adjunct to their 
fighting and use live mortar bombs and fire crackers. (4) 
Trees are made use of as fire positions to give advantage 
over ground-bound opponents.
 
          "Among other improved techniques of the Japanese is 
the skill they have shown in repairing bridges. Speedy ad-
vances have been successfully made by reason of their 
ability to remove obstacles, especially for tank units. 
Thorough training of engineer units is evident.
 
REGRADED UNCLASSIFIED