Original Item: Only One Available. Now this is an incredible and extremely rare uniform set. This uniform once belonged to Lieutenant General Tsunoru Yamamoto, Commander, 72 Independent Mixed Brigade, Burma. This was not the only command/unit he was a part of but it was one that caused him to still be mentioned in the history books of today.

This came to us from the American Armoured Foundation, Inc. Tank and Ordnance Memorial Museum. The AAF Tank Museum was a living memorial dedicated to the Tank and Cavalry soldiers of the world. Before 1981 some of the artifacts that make up the AAF Tank Museum was a private collection belonging to Mr. William Gasser. Mr. Gasser felt that his collection would be beneficial in educating present and future generations to the sacrifices made and the technologies gained during war. Therefore, in 1981 the AAF Tank Museum was established as a non-profit charitable organization, and Mr. Gasser donated his private collection to the Tank Museum. Mr. Gasser is still active as Volunteer Director and Curator of the Tank Museum and his knowledge of military history has been a great asset to the museum. Unfortunately after 20 years of operation it had to close its doors, which is when this was acquired.

The uniform actually came to us with an excellent description:

“This uniform is of the early WWII period. It is an Imperial Japanese Army Service Dress Uniform, similar to, but not exactly matching that of theType 5 (M90) Uniform. This uniform belonged to either a Infantry or Tanker as is evidenced by the red color "M" shape, pre 1941 period, cloth branch of service patch found sewn on his right breast. The collar tabs and shoulder epaulettes are correct for (in this case) a Lieutenant General. The epaulettes are beautifully made and are of the slip-on style.

This uniform is apparently named inside, but it has yet to be translated. The source we obtained it from said that it is named to an Army General named "Yamamoto". This is not Admiral Yamamoto's uniform! The name Yamamoto is quite common in Japan, so we're told. The inside of the uniform is Mint, and it has a bevo-like tailors tag found sewn in the collar with the name of: "Kaikosha - Tokyo, Kudan".There is a name tag sewn in that is yet to be translated. The inner collar has 5 white studs for attaching to the shirt collar. The outside of the uniform rates as Good as it has a few small moth nips scattered throughout - none of which are very detracting. The buttons are gold, have a laurel leaf rear motif, and are sewn on with the correct thread. There are no General Officer's sleeve rings as is correct for an early period uniform. There are 3 ribbon bar mounting loops on the left breast, but both have now become open from age (Here at IMA we added safety pins to hold the ribbons on). The source we obtained this uniform from included an original period 7 ribbon bar. We do not know if it was added by the source or it is original to Yamamoto.

A beautiful Officer's peaked service cap had been added by the museum. It is well marked inside, but un-translated as of now.”

Yamamoto commanded the infantry group of 33 Division in Burma by 1944. He commanded the powerful right column of the division for the attack on Imphal during the U-Go offensive. He was unable to overcome the British defenses on the Tamu-Palel Road southeast of Imphal and by July 1944 his force was in retreat. Yamamoto repeatedly refused to obey orders during the campaign, among other things leaving the retreat of the remainder of 33 Division.

Yamamoto became commander of 72 Independent Mixed Brigade from its activation at Yenangyaung in December 1944, and formed the rearguard for the retreat of 55 Division across the Irrawaddy in May 1945.

Yamamoto was an aggressive officer who once accused a tank commander of cowardice for withdrawing his tanks in the face of air attack. The tankers concluded Yamamoto was "an idiot who knew nothing about tank deployment" and their commander threatened to commit suicide in front of Yamamoto. However, Yamamoto was equally harsh with his infantry commanders.

Chronological Service Record (Rank)
1938-07-15 Colonel
1942-08-01 Major-General
1945-04-30 Lieutenant-General

Service
1937-10-20 – 1939-04-04 Attached to Taiwain Army District
1939-04-04 – 1939-09-12 Resident Officer in Shantou [China]
1939-09-12 – 1940-08-01 Attached to China Expeditionary Army Headquarters
1940-08-01 – 1942-04-02 Commanding Officer 3rd China Garrison Regiment
1942-04-14 – 1943-03-15 Chief of Staff, 68th Division
1943-03-15 – 1944-11-22 Commanding Officer Infantry Group, 33rd Division [Burma]
1944-11-22 – 1945-03-09 Commanding Officer 72nd Independent Mixed Brigade [Burma]
1945-03-09 – 1945-04-30 Attached to the General Staff
1945-04-30 – 1945-09-02 General Officer Commanding 214th Division

This is an incredible uniform set, a caliber of one that won’t be seen again for quite some time. Comes more than ready for further research and display.

Approximate Measurements:
Collar to shoulder: 9"
Shoulder to sleeve: 21”
Shoulder to shoulder: 14.5”
Chest width: 20"
Waist width: 20"
Hip width: 22"
Front length: 28"

Pants:
Waist: 16.5"
Inseam: 24"