Japanese Bayonet & Flag Surrendered to Bataan Death March Officer. – SOLD

Description

Japanese Bayonet & Flag Surrendered to Bataan Death March Officer.

This Japanese Bayonet and flag belonged to Lieutenant General Thomas J.H. “Trap” Trapnell, and was surrendered to him then a major, upon his release from a Japanese prison camp in Manchuria by one of his Japanese guards.  Major Trapnell had survived the Bataan Death March in the Philippines in the early days of WWII.

The photograph was taken in the later part of his career, and presented to the person who received the material many years ago. It is simple signed, “Steve, Best Regards, Trap.”  The photo is signed by the photographer, Maurice Constant. Constant was a sculpture and photographer, who photographed many famous people.

The bayonet blade is marked with arsenal marking for Howo Jyuka or Izawa Jyuka Arsenals producing bayonets from 1940 to 1945. The blade is very good, and the scabbard shows more wear and exposure to the elements, and has its original leather frog still attached. The tag on the bayonet reads, “This Japanese Bayonet & flag were given to LtGeneral (at the time major) T.J.H. Trapnell by a Japanese prison guard at the time of the Japanese surrender – Trapnell was a Bataan Death March survivor and a DSC recipient.”

The silk Japanese military Rising Sun flag measures 9 x 13.5 inches approximate. It was hanging off the bayonet grip when I purchased this lot, and assume it had been maintained that way for some time.

The items were on display in a private museum for many years, and sold just recently to another collector whom I purchased it from. The original recipient of this material is the one being presented the photograph by Gen, Trapnell.

On the back of the photograph is a article from the Washington Post, February 15, 2002, by Adam Bernstein, Washington Post Staff Writer, entitled, “Army Gen. Thomas Trapnell. The length article/obit is too much to include here, so please see the photograph of it in the pictures provided.

Some highlights however must me made;  At the time of the Japanese invasion of the Philippines, Major Trapnell commanded a cavalry unit that tried delaying the Japanese advance, and is credited with leading one of the last US horse cavalry actions in WWII. After the surrender, Trapnell was one of 1600 US prisoners on a Japanese ship heading for Japan when is was mistakenly bombed by US Navy dive bombers. He survived after the sinking of that ship, and again, that next ship was sunk by our planes again. He eventually was sent to a camp in Manchuria until the close of the war.

A very historic grouping, representing just a few items this WWII prisoner of war walked away with, as most had nothing left but rags on the bodies, and some issue tin wear for meager meals.