Quote:
Originally Posted by WernherVonTrapp
As American airpower grew on Guadalcanal, the IJN began turning more and more to using DDs as fast transports. They did however, also use various transport ships and some barges.
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The Japanese themselves had two names for the Tokyo Express based on the types of vessels used to lift Army units to Guadalcanal. "Rat Transportation" was the term given to using high speed destroyers and the occasional seaplane carrier. "Ant Freight" was the use of slow barges and transports to lift artillery pieces, tanks and other items too large and cumbersome for the destroyer decks. "Rat Transportation" was safer and quicker, but as an IJA soldier you were likely to find yourself at your destination without much to eat or many bullets to fight with.