WWII Imperial Japanese Army Photo Album Kuno Unit China Campaign Yangtze River

  
This is a rare original WWII Imperial Japanese Army photo album, dedicated to the Kuno Unit of the 18th Division. This is a private commemorative album created for veterans of the Kuno Unit, not for public sale. It contains a rich collection of original wartime photographs, maps, and even rare hand-tinted color photos.

The images capture the daily life of soldiers, engineering feats like bridge construction, river crossings, urban warfare, and the devastated cityscapes of occupied China. The photos are mostly from 1939, covering the Japanese army's operations in the Yangtze River area, Shanghai, and the surrounding regions. Key locations and infrastructure-bridges, towers, city views, and military camps-are documented with detailed captions. The Kuno Unit (Kuno Butai), led by Commander Makoto Kuno, was part of the 18th Division-one of the Imperial Japanese Army's main forces in the China campaign. Such albums were produced in very limited numbers for soldiers and their families, making them extremely rare today.

This is not just a military photo album-it is a first-hand document of engineering, logistics, and soldierly life at the front, seen through the eyes of the people who were there. Bridge Engineering: Many photos focus on Japanese army engineers building bridges under combat conditions-essential for troop movements in a region filled with wide rivers.

River Crossings: You'll find dramatic shots of soldiers crossing rivers by temporary bridges or makeshift rafts, often under enemy fire. Urban & Rural Life: There are also fascinating views of local Chinese architecture, cityscapes, and countryside-now lost to history. Life & Survival: Daily life, hardships, and camaraderie among the soldiers are all captured-sometimes with a surprising sense of humor. A unique artifact for historians, collectors, and anyone fascinated by untold wartime stories. Own a Piece of History. International Buyers - Please Note.

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