Kesao Kijima
Encyclopedia
was a senior officer in the Imperial Japanese Army
during World War II
.
He was the Commanding Officer of the 124th Regiment between 1938 and 1940, before being attached to the 6th Depot Division. Shortly afterwards, he was posted back as the Commanding Officer of the 124th Regiment and served until 1942. Between 1943 and mid 1944 be was the Commanding Officer of the 17th Division
. Kijima was then placed in command of the 38th Independent Mixed Brigade of the 17th Army on Bougainville
upon its formation in June 1944. The brigade fought at the battle of Pearl Ridge
against the Australian advance but was defeated on 1 January 1945 after three days. The retreat of the brigade southwards towards Buin was refused, and it subsequently became isolated at Numa Numa until the cessation of hostilities.
He was authorised to be released from custody on 1 March 1950, after not being charged as a war criminal.
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...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
He was the Commanding Officer of the 124th Regiment between 1938 and 1940, before being attached to the 6th Depot Division. Shortly afterwards, he was posted back as the Commanding Officer of the 124th Regiment and served until 1942. Between 1943 and mid 1944 be was the Commanding Officer of the 17th Division
17th Division (Imperial Japanese Army)
was an infantry division in the Imperial Japanese Army. Its call-sign was the .-History:The 17th Division was formed in Himeiji in November, 1907, together with the 18th Infantry Division. From 1915 to 1927 it was stationed in Manchuria...
. Kijima was then placed in command of the 38th Independent Mixed Brigade of the 17th Army on Bougainville
Bougainville Island
Bougainville Island is the main island of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville of Papua New Guinea. This region is also known as Bougainville Province or the North Solomons. The population of the province is 175,160 , which includes the adjacent island of Buka and assorted outlying islands...
upon its formation in June 1944. The brigade fought at the battle of Pearl Ridge
Battle of Pearl Ridge
The Battle of Pearl Ridge was a battle of the Second World War fought between Australian and Japanese forces on Bougainville Island. Part of the wider Bougainville Campaign, the battle took place in the central sector of the island, shortly after the Australians had taken over responsibility from...
against the Australian advance but was defeated on 1 January 1945 after three days. The retreat of the brigade southwards towards Buin was refused, and it subsequently became isolated at Numa Numa until the cessation of hostilities.
He was authorised to be released from custody on 1 March 1950, after not being charged as a war criminal.