| Item title: | Use of Japanese language place names to bolster troop morale in New Guinea |
| Title (kanji) |  |
| Location: | Australian War Memorial (AWM55 12/15) View information about obtaining a copy of this document |
AJRP details | |
| AJRP module: | Australian War Memorial official records |
| AJRP series: | Allied Translator and Interpreter Section (ATIS) publications |
| AJRP sub-series: | ATIS research reports |
| AJRP folder: | |
Location details | |
| Institution: | Australian War Memorial |
| Call number: | AWM55 12/15 |
| Inst. series: | AWM55 |
| Inst. sub-series: | AWM55 12/- |
| Item: | RR-33 |
Item qualities | |
| Quantity / desc: | 13 pages |
| Access: | Open |
| Item type: | Unpublished, Official |
| Category: | Information report |
Item content | |
| Creation date (d/m/y): | 5/8/1943 |
| Conflict code: | Pacific War (1941-1945) |
| Keywords: | IMPERIAL JAPANESE ARMY, INTELLIGENCE, CIPHERS AND CODES, RESEARCH |
| Australian unit names: | |
| Allied unit names: | |
| Japanese unit names: | Takamura Bn |
| Names: | |
| Languages: | English |
| Area: | Japan–Formosa New Guinea [Melanesia (PNG, Irian Jaya & Solomon Islands)] |
| Content: | This is an Allied Translator and Interpreter Section (ATIS) research report on Japanese code names and the use of Japanese place names to boost troop morale. The enquiry was received on 5 August 1943 and an answer despatched on 4 September 1943. This report relates to a system of codes and classifications known as "Tsudoi". In addition to their normal company/unit designations, members of the Takamura Battalion were also grouped into companies (tsudoi) according to villages from which they came. ATIS researchers wrote that the purpose of this "semi-mystical, semi-military" code appeared to be for security and to raise morale by emphasising the troops' local connections. The use of Japanese names for local towns and features in New Guinea served a similar purpose: "it recalls their homeland and all they are fighting for". It is not clear if this concept was applied more widely in different battalions. |
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Other information | |
| Notes: | |
| Last modified: | 03/05/2009 09:02:47 AM |
| Source: | AJRP staff |
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