The
Manchukuo Imperial Guards (禁衛隊) was the elite unit of the
Manchukuo armed forces created in 1933. It was charged with the protection of the Kangde
Emperor Puyi, and senior members of the Manchukuo civil government. Its headquarters was in the capital of
Hsinking, near the
Imperial Palace in the center of the city.
History
The Manchukuo Imperial Guard was patterned after the
Imperial Guard of Japan, and was responsible primarily for the protection of the imperial household. Its members were selected from candidates of
Manchu ethnic backgrounds, and were trained independently of the
Manchukuo Imperial Army or the Japanese
Kwantung Army. Although largely a ceremonial force, they received the latest firearms, and also carried Japanese-style swords (
katana) or
sabers as dress weaponry. Their uniform was grey or black with silver or gold
insignia, with a five-color, five pointed star on their helmets and
kepis.
Initially, the Guard consisted of 200 men. Later, an independent brigade called the
Chinganyuchitui or “Special Guard Corps” was formed for use in
special operations during the
Pacification of Manchukuo. It was effective in combat, and participated in the Ki Feng-lung District Subjugation in November 1932 and in anti-bandit operations.
See also
Sources
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