Which had a better army : the Germans or the Japanese during WW2?

Answer 1

By any criteria, the Germans had the better army. Their training, doctrine, organization, leadership, weapons and equipment were all better. In land warfare, the German Eastern Front and the Japanese in China were somewhat equivalent theaters of war. These were the major campaign areas of the two armies. The Germans came much closer to defeating the Soviets (even with massive supplies from the allies) than the Japanese chance of success against Chang and Mao (with just a trickle of allied aid getting in). By and large, Germany faced superior enemies (France, Britain, most of the Empire/Commonwealth, USSR, most of the US effort) than Japan (China, Philippines, European colonial forces, remaining British/Commonwealth forces, the rest of the US effort, and one fighter squadron from Mexico) . The Japanese, however, had a much better Navy. The German Army succeeded in early offshore campaigns in Norway and Crete despite having a navy inferior to their opponents. The Japanese Army was successful in conquering Malaya, the Philippines and the East Indies because their navy was so superior to the opposition.

Once on defense, the Germans remained superior. They kept military cohesion until almost the very end. Once US forces landed anywhere in the Pacific, Japanese defense quickly deteriorated to the local level. The Germans were masters at creating ad hoc units from broken scraps and mounting hasty counter-attacks. By this means, the Germans often stopped allied attacks (for a while) and frequently regained ground. The Japanese Banzai attacks against US Army and Marine forces did neither.

The Japanese prided themselves on being WARRIORS. Bad idea. The Germans knew themselves to be SOLDIERS. Big difference.

Answer 2

Germany had the better armed forces hands down. Germany had way better tech from artillery down to standard issue rifles and machine guns. I seen on the history channel that Japan didn't even have a standard issue rifle that every soldier carried, that had many different models, each with different ammo, which made resupplying a nightmare and very complicated. They also didn't have many standard sub machine guns which would have been very useful in close quarters combat on the islands against the US. The only reason the Japanese did as well as they did was the skill and determination of their soldiers and officers.
Doesn't anyone remember before WW2, Japan invaded the Soviet far east and were slaughtered trying to go toe to toe with the Soviet's well equipped army and tanks. They were beaten so badly that they signed a non aggression pact with the Soviets and didn't try to open a two front war with Germany against the Soviets. The Japanese were good in the jungles and mountains were they could basically rely on their infantry vs the allies infantry but in the open field against tanks and a better equipped force they wouldn't have a chance.

Answer 3

Interesting question and original finally.

Well technologically I would give it to the Germans, they had the V1 and V2 rockets, the ME 262 and a few other jet model plans and they were almost done with their own Atom bomb.

The Japanese may have had less superior weapons and it is well known that the Germans gave Japan Rocket secrets to help win the war for them it was brought by Submarine to Japan from Germany.

Japan also had the warrior Samurai code down to a fanatasism. Germans did not often go into Suicide missions willingly. yes some did but no where in the scale of Japan.

It was the Japanese mindset that made them great warriors especially hand to hand or with hand weapons. Fortunately for the West as it had been for the true Samurai of the 19th Century, machine guns proved too much for even the sternest warrior.

So on a one to one level the Japanese soldier was generally stronger but as far as weaponry and technology it was definitely the Germans.

Answer 4

I'd go with the Germans. The Japanese army was highly discipline, motivated and well trained. However they failed to recognize the importants of mechanization and armor. To a certain extent it was unnecessary due to the jungle fighting. But not all the terrain they fought on was jungle. Very often their equipment was of poor quality and they never embraced automatic weapons to any great degree.

On the other hand the Germans were also disciplined, motivated and generally well trained. But they had fully integrated armor and automatic weapons into their combat philosophy. They built some excellent equipment and were constantly looking for ways to improve their tactics and their equipment.

Answer 5

The training and military science of the Wehrmacht were probably superior, and the German armament industry was incalculably superior, but the Imperial Japanese Army, facing entirely different conditions, was able to survive on a much smaller ration, move more silently and defend island fortresses with greater success than the Wehrmacht could have done.

Answer 6

I doubt that the Japanese army would have been effective in tank warfare on frozen ground or deserts, and I doubt the German infantry was up to jungle warfare. They each had their specialties.

Answer 7

Check the Battle of Khalkhin Gol. Zhukov decisively and easily defeated the best of the IJA with much greater ease than he did the Werhmacht later. 'Nuff said.