In 1945, just before the end of the war, units called "National Volunteer Combat Corps," consisting of ordinary citizens, including women and boys, were formed in various places in preparation for the mainland battle.
Documents describing the organization process of this unit were newly found in Wakayama Prefecture, and experts point out that ``it is a valuable document nationwide that details the situation at that time''.
"People's Volunteer Combat Corps" is based on the "Volunteer Military Service Law" which was enacted in June 1945, just before the end of the war. was created.
Many of the materials from that time were incinerated immediately after the war ended, and it has been said that few detailed records remain.
Under these circumstances, a memo and a diary were found in an empty house in Hirogawa-cho, Wakayama Prefecture, which seems to have been left by Kashiro Tsumura, a former member of the Hiromura village assembly who lived in this house at the time.
Regarding the ``National Volunteer Combat Corps,'' a ceremony was held at a Shinto shrine to form a unit organized by the whole village, and before the visit of the army division commander, the list of corps members was maintained and bamboo spear training was conducted. It is written that the battle posture was built.
The formation chart of the combat team details the units for each district, with the village chief at the top, and women's names line up among the leaders, suggesting that many villagers were mobilized as combatants.
It was discovered by a relative who owns the house, and an expert survey was conducted this month, proving it to be a valuable resource.
Professor Toshihiko Saito of Gakushuin University, who conducted the survey, said, ``It is a valuable document that has detailed information about the situation at the time, including the description of the women's unit. It is a document that clarifies that it was being advanced to."