Bamboo "Spear" Tactics? Last ditch Japanese Weapon's in preparation for the Allied Invasion of Japan.

Bamboo Spears, sword's and improvised Pottery Grenade's remain fairly well known in WW2 Historical study, symbols of Japan's intense desperation to organize a meaningful defense of their Homeland, but more technical thought was put into it then is commonly known. Above is a Simple Bamboo Spear, followed by an instruction text for affixing a type 30 Bayonet to a bamboo pole. Then a Bamboo Grenade and Bamboo Discharger. However, the IJA wanted to go as far as imaginatively and physically as possible culminating in a "Bamboo Panzerfaust" pictured above and described here:

“In 1944 investigations were made by the Army Headquarters if a serial production of the german Panzerfaust 100 is possible. Due to the lack of raw materials and industrial ressources a production seemed impossible.

"In early 1945 guidelines for the defence departments of all prefectures were published how to built weapons for militia units using natural materials. Under these guidelines was one concerning the development and production of Panzerfaust-type at-weapons."

"For the barrel bamboo should be used. The inner walls should be drilled out, in order to receive a continuous pipe of about 950 mm. A basket made of bamboo fibers installed at the front end should increase accuracy."

"The grenade should be made of a bamboo shaft with a diameter, which had to fit into the bamboo launcher tube, and an up to 300 mm long hollow-charge warhead made of wood or sheet metal usind a steel or copper cone. The propellant charge should have a weight of between 30 and 40 g, the weight of the explosive filling should not exceed 1 kg."

"A penetration of 100 mm should be reached in trials. The weapons should be manufactured by local factories and craftsmen"