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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

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  • Theater of Operations--Pacific
  • Equipment
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  • Artifact
Wars & Conflicts
  • World War II 1939-1945
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  • NHHC

Japanese Binoculars Captured During the Battle of Leyte


Black Big Eye Binoculars with presentation plaque on top. Japanese characters on various sections of the binoculars 

Title: Japanese binoculars captured at the Battle of Leyte
Accession #: NHHC 07-669-A
Circa: 1944
Size: 25.25" x 10.5"
Medium: Metal, Wood, Leather, Glass
Location: Headquarters Artifact Collection, Naval History and Heritage Command

One large pair of Nikko binoculars with case. The binoculars have a twin cylindrical shape and are black in color. It has a post-and-ring sight at the center with a prismatic device. The serial number "729" is on the eyepiece. An inscription plate on top of the cylinders reads "Captured on Leyte, Philippine Islands, October 1944, by the First Cavalry Division, United States Army and presented by the Commanding General to Rear Admiral W.M. Fechteler, U.S. Navy.” The case is made of wood with a brass hinge for the lid.

RADM Fechteler was the Commander of Seventh Fleet's Amphibious Group 8, which participated in landings at Morotai, Leyte, and Lingayen. On 20 October 1944, the US Army landed along the eastern coast of Leyte, establishing beachheads for the push into the island. This landing allowed General Douglas MacArthur to fulfill his pledge to return to the Philippines. By the end of the day, the Army’s 1st Cavalry had captured Tacloban City and the nearby airfield. The Battle of Leyte raged on across the island until 1 January 1945 when MacArthur declared all organized Japanese resistance was defeated.

These binoculars were captured from the Japanese sometime during the battle and presented to RADM Fechteler by the Commanding General of the 1st Cavalry, Major General Verne D. Mudge. The “big eye” design of the binoculars suggests that they may have been used by the Japanese army’s coast artillery.


Black binoculars with plaque on top. Adjustable eyepieces.


Wood Case with Dovetail corners brass handles and hinged lid


Rubber eyepieces for Japanese Binoculars captured at leyte gulf


captured on leyte, philippine islands october 1944 by the first cavalry division united states army, and presented by the commanding general to rear admiral w.m. Fechteler, u.s. Navy


Wooden case with open lid and custom mount for holding Big Eye Japanese Binoculars


Rubber eye piece reverese attaches to Japanese Binoculars at Battle of Leyte Gulf

Published: Fri Mar 20 10:38:01 EDT 2020