Manchukuo Imperial Guards
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The Manchukuo Imperial Guards was the elite unit of the corps of Manchukuoan armed forces. It was charged with the protection of the Kangde Emperor Puyi, the Manchu Head of State and members of the Manchu civil government and their properties. Its headquarters was in Hsinking, near the Imperial Palace in the center of the city. They were organized in the same way as the Imperial Guard of Japan, the bodyguards of the Japanese Emperor.
They were composed of 200 specially trained officers who were totally independent of the Japanese Kwantung Army units. This special section used the best firearms (Japanese and foreign weapons), carried katana (Japanese style) swords and sabres as ceremonial swords, and wore one grey or ceremonial black uniform with silver or gold insignia. Their symbol was a five pointed star (with the colours of all nationalities living in Manchukuo) worn on their helmets and kepis. This was the same symbol used by the Kangde Emperor on some uniforms.
Although the Kangde Emperor personally ordered the creation of this unit, even it later rebelled and joined the anti-Japanese fight. The Japanese Commander and his Manchu officers were members of local and Japanese military forces who were trusted by Puyi.
The Imperial Japanese Army became aware of a series of plots and false orders to meet in a city park to provoke a fight with Japanese subjects. These groups were immediately arrested by the Japanese Secret Service and submitted to psychological and physical tortures and treatments. The accused were without even the possibility of legal defense, for they were charged with "Anti-Manchukuo and Anti-Japanese" activities, and were deported or executed. The remaining members of the unit had their regular weapons confiscated, and were only permitted to maintain small ceremonial pistols.
When Puyi returned from one of his "Sacred Voyages" to Japan, he substituted the rest of the unit's personnel for pro-Japanese local collaborators. Although he attempted to aid the original members of the unit, he could not.
