Protection of overseas ships by border guards of the Far East during the Second World War

The paper examines the issues of protecting overseas ships by border guards during the Second World War in the Far East. Necessity for such guards was dictated by Japan's aggressive actions towards civilian ships, despite the non-aggression treaty, which was regularly violated by the Japanese side. Based on archival data, the paper investigates the issues of organizing a security guards force on overseas ships and gives a detailed account of its powers and obligations. The guard team, with its staff and ordnance, could not repel acts organized by Japanese troops aimed at destroying or seizing the ship. The Japanese attacked the ships with aircraft and submarines. In fact, the decision to organize an armed guard team on the ships was flawed. It diverted a significant border guard force and did not actually contribute to safety assurance of merchant shipping.