26th Division (Imperial Japanese Army)
Encyclopedia
was an infantry division in the Imperial Japanese Army
. Its call sign
was the .
and reserve components various divisions based in Manchukuo
. It has the distinction of being the first triangular division
Japan formed. Intended initially as a garrison force to provide security for central Manchukuo, on July 4, 1938 it was attached to the forming Mongolia Garrison Army
in Inner Mongolia
. With the situation in the Pacific War
against the United States
becoming critical, in July 1944 it was transferred to the Japanese 14th Area Army based in Manila
, Philippines
. There it was largely annihilated at the subsequent Battle of Leyte
, and continued from the battles by joint Filipino and American troops by liberated the Philippines
against the Japanese from 1944 to 1945.
for the 26th Division included:
IJA 26th Division
Allentown, PA: 1981
Imperial Japanese Army
-Foundation:During the Meiji Restoration, the military forces loyal to the Emperor were samurai drawn primarily from the loyalist feudal domains of Satsuma and Chōshū...
. Its call sign
Call sign
In broadcasting and radio communications, a call sign is a unique designation for a transmitting station. In North America they are used as names for broadcasting stations...
was the .
History
The 26th Division was raised in September 1937 out of the three independent infantry regiments from the original 11th Independent Mixed BrigadeIJA 11th Independent Mixed Brigade
There were two 11th Independent Mixed Brigades in the Imperial Japanese Army.-The First 11th IMB:The order of battle of the first 11th Independent Mixed Brigade in July 1937:11th Independent Mixed Brigade* 11th Independent Infantry Regiment...
and reserve components various divisions based in Manchukuo
Manchukuo
Manchukuo or Manshū-koku was a puppet state in Manchuria and eastern Inner Mongolia, governed under a form of constitutional monarchy. The region was the historical homeland of the Manchus, who founded the Qing Empire in China...
. It has the distinction of being the first triangular division
Triangular division
A triangular division is a designation given to the way divisions are organized. In a triangular organization, the division's main body is composed of three regimental maneuver elements. These regiments may be controlled by a brigade headquarters or directly subordinated to the division commander...
Japan formed. Intended initially as a garrison force to provide security for central Manchukuo, on July 4, 1938 it was attached to the forming Mongolia Garrison Army
Mongolia Garrison Army
The was an army of the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II.-History:The Japanese Mongolia Garrison Army was raised on December 27, 1937 as a garrison force Japanese-dominated Inner Mongolia and adjacent areas of north China. From July 4, 1938, the Mongolia Garrison Army came under the...
in Inner Mongolia
Inner Mongolia
Inner Mongolia is an autonomous region of the People's Republic of China, located in the northern region of the country. Inner Mongolia shares an international border with the countries of Mongolia and the Russian Federation...
. With the situation in the Pacific War
Pacific War
The Pacific War, also sometimes called the Asia-Pacific War refers broadly to the parts of World War II that took place in the Pacific Ocean, its islands, and in East Asia, then called the Far East...
against the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
becoming critical, in July 1944 it was transferred to the Japanese 14th Area Army based in Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
, Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. There it was largely annihilated at the subsequent Battle of Leyte
Battle of Leyte
The Battle of Leyte in the Pacific campaign of World War II was the invasion and conquest of the island of Leyte in the Philippines by American and Filipino guerrilla forces under the command of General Douglas MacArthur, who fought against the Imperial Japanese Army in the Philippines led by...
, and continued from the battles by joint Filipino and American troops by liberated the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
against the Japanese from 1944 to 1945.
Organization
The order of battleOrder of battle
In modern use, the order of battle is the identification, command structure, strength, and disposition of personnel, equipment, and units of an armed force participating in field operations. Various abbreviations are in use, including OOB, O/B, or OB, while ORBAT remains the most common in the...
for the 26th Division included:
IJA 26th Division
- 26th Infantry Brigade
- 11th Independent Infantry Regiment (Tsu)
- 12th Independent Infantry Regiment (Gifu)
- 13th Independent Infantry Regiment (Shizuoka)
- 11th Independent Field Artillery Regiment
- 26th Engineering Regiment
- 26th Transport Regiment
Reference and further reading
- Madej, W. Victor. Japanese Armed Forces Order of Battle, 1937-1945 [2 vols]
Allentown, PA: 1981