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Airship (Balloon) Units
Inscribed 'Army Airship Unit Commemorative.'
Inscribed 'Airship Unit, Discharge Commemorative.'
The Airship Unit cups are among the rarest of the military cups. There are two main reasons for this:
First, the history of the use of balloons in the IJA was brief, about 4 years. The first unit was created in early Taisho
(around 1912) and then in December, Taisho 4 [1916] these units were converted to Air Corps units. However, airships
were used throughout WW2, but not in any great numbers.
Second, the number of soldiers involved in these units was probably low. According to the Japanese site linked to below,
here is some information:
1877: Used in Satsuma Rebellion (Taharazaka Battle)
1904: Temporary Airship Unit formed, used to help secure Port Arthur in Japan/Russia War
1913: Airship Unit moved to Tokorozawa
1923: Airship Battalion reorganized under Air Corps Division
1927: Airship battalion moved to Chiba
1936: Re-named Airship Regiment
1937: Independent Airship Unit 1st, 2nd 3rd Battalions, participated in invasion of Nanking
1942: Independent Airship Unit 1st Battalion, participated in invasion of Thailand, French Indochina, and Singapore.
Note that the above information is undocumented. It needs to be verified.
The main design is of course a hot air balloon of some sort. The kanji (see above) read kikyuutai.
Since I have been dealing in cups, I have only seen very few cups or other commemorative items labeled 'Airship Unit.'
I've posted some military Airship postcards from Japan for reference.
Click here for an online article about Japanese airships. This is in English.
Here is another webpage, but it is in Japanese. Some nice pictures, though.
First, the history of the use of balloons in the IJA was brief, about 4 years. The first unit was created in early Taisho
(around 1912) and then in December, Taisho 4 [1916] these units were converted to Air Corps units. However, airships
were used throughout WW2, but not in any great numbers.
Second, the number of soldiers involved in these units was probably low. According to the Japanese site linked to below,
here is some information:
1877: Used in Satsuma Rebellion (Taharazaka Battle)
1904: Temporary Airship Unit formed, used to help secure Port Arthur in Japan/Russia War
1913: Airship Unit moved to Tokorozawa
1923: Airship Battalion reorganized under Air Corps Division
1927: Airship battalion moved to Chiba
1936: Re-named Airship Regiment
1937: Independent Airship Unit 1st, 2nd 3rd Battalions, participated in invasion of Nanking
1942: Independent Airship Unit 1st Battalion, participated in invasion of Thailand, French Indochina, and Singapore.
Note that the above information is undocumented. It needs to be verified.
The main design is of course a hot air balloon of some sort. The kanji (see above) read kikyuutai.
Since I have been dealing in cups, I have only seen very few cups or other commemorative items labeled 'Airship Unit.'
I've posted some military Airship postcards from Japan for reference.
Click here for an online article about Japanese airships. This is in English.
Here is another webpage, but it is in Japanese. Some nice pictures, though.
ki-kyuu-tai
(read from right)
(read from right)
| Inscribed 'Airship Unit, Discharge Commemorative, Iwama'. |
| Inscribed 'Airship Unit, Commemorative, Kubota'. A hangar of some sort is in the background. |
Inscribed 'Airship Unit [kikyuu-tai]'.
The writing in the bowl appears to be a poem, but I cannot read it.
The writing in the bowl appears to be a poem, but I cannot read it.
The design has the Balloon (Airship) Unit insignia. This usually
stands alone but here there are branches as well.
I cannot find this insignia anywhere. Is it for paratroopers?
Imperial Guard Airship Unit? Or just a variation?
Inscribed, 'Discharge Commemorative, Army Air Service, Asano.'
stands alone but here there are branches as well.
I cannot find this insignia anywhere. Is it for paratroopers?
Imperial Guard Airship Unit? Or just a variation?
Inscribed, 'Discharge Commemorative, Army Air Service, Asano.'
Green porcelain tea cup.
Inscribed, 'Airship Unit, Discharge Commemorative.'
Inscribed, 'Airship Unit, Discharge Commemorative.'
Inscribed, 'Airship Unit, Discharge Commemorative.'
Exceedingly rare Airship Unit cup with both the Airship Unit insignia
above and a detailed balloon.
Inscribed 'Airship Unit, Discharge Commemorative.'
above and a detailed balloon.
Inscribed 'Airship Unit, Discharge Commemorative.'
| Extremely scarce Army Airship/Balloon Unit lacquered wood sake cup tray. This is the first one I have ever seen. Inscribed 'Army Airship Unit, Discharge Commemorative.' The design has a hangar, a dirigible, and a reconnaissance balloon. |
