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The Manchukuo Imperial Guards (Chinese: 禁衛隊; pinyin: Jīn wèiduì, Japanese: しんえいたい, romanized: Shin'eitai) were an elite unit (special operations capable) of the Manchukuo armed forces created in 1933. It was charged with the protection of the Kangde Emperor, the imperial household, and senior members of the Manchukuo civil government. Their garrison and headquarters were situated in the capital of Xinjing, adjacent to the Imperial Palace.
| Manchukuo Imperial Guards | |
|---|---|
| 禁衛隊 | |
 Guardsmen in ceremonial uniform, 1934 | |
| Active | 1933–1945 |
| Country |  Manchukuo |
| Allegiance |  Emperor of Manchukuo |
| Type | Imperial guard |
| Role | Anti-tank warfare Artillery observer Bomb disposal Clandestine operation Close combat Cold-weather warfare Counterinsurgency Covert operation Crowd control Direct action Executive protection Force protection Guerrilla warfare HUMINT Maneuver warfare Military intelligence Mountain warfare Raiding Reconnaissance Screening Security checkpoint Special operations Special reconnaissance Tracking Urban warfare |
| Size | 200 men (initial size) |
| Garrison/HQ | Xinjing, Manchukuo |
| Engagements | Pacification of Manchukuo Soviet invasion of Manchuria |
| Commanders | |
| Ceremonial chief | Pujie |
| Insignia | |
| Five-colored star |  |
History
editThe Manchukuo Imperial Guards were inspired by the Imperial Guards of the Qing dynasty and patterned after the Imperial Guard of Japan. Its 200 members were selected from candidates of ethnic Manchu backgrounds, and were trained independently of the Manchukuo Imperial Army or the Japanese Kwantung Army. Although largely a ceremonial force, the company received the latest firearms and also carried Japanese-style swords (Japanese: 軍刀, romanized: Guntō) as dress weaponry. Their uniforms were grey or black with silver or gold insignia, with a five-color, five pointed star on their helmets and kepis.
An independent brigade called the Jing'an Guerilla Unit (Chinese: 靖安游擊隊; pinyin: Jìng'ān yóujīduì) was formed for use in clandestine operation, commando style raids, covert operation, intelligence gathering, special operations, special reconnaissance, and tracking targets during the Pacification of Manchukuo. It was effective in combat, having participated in the Ki Feng-lung District Subjugation in November 1932 and anti-bandit Honghuzi operations. The ceremonial unit was part of the corps.
The Manchukuo Imperial Guards fought their last battles during the Soviet invasion of Manchuria and ceased to exist at the conclusion of the Soviet–Japanese War.
See also
editReferences
edit- Jowett, Philip (2005). Rays of the Rising Sun, Volume 1: Japan's Asian Allies 1931-45, China and Manchukuo. Helion and Company Ltd. ISBN 1-874622-21-3.