Alcohol and the Asia-Pacific War (1937-1945)

10.6641/PICCFC.91012.2011.12.13

Katarzyna J. CWIERTKA

Asia-Pacific war ； Japanese and American forces ； alcohol consumption

中華飲食文化學術研討會論文集

第12屆（2011 / 11 / 01）

253 - 267

英文

＂Drunk soldiers＂ feature prominently in the accounts of atrocities committed by the Japanese armed forces during the Asia-Pacific War (1937-1945). Drunkenness is often mentioned as a factor that contributed to rape, murder and other brutalities reported across Asia. To be sure, Japanese were not the only drunk soldiers of World War II. Drinking to ＂overcome＂ fear was a practice openly admitted by all hands; the canteens of those at the cutting edge contained brandy, whisky, or gin almost as often as water. This paper explores the place of alcohol in the Asia-Pacific War, focusing on the American and Japanese troops.