Masakazu Kawabe
Encyclopedia
was a general in the Imperial Japanese Army
. He held important commands in the Imperial Japanese Army during the Second Sino-Japanese War
, and during World War II in the Burma Campaign
and defense of the Japanese homeland late in the war. He was also the elder brother of General Torashirō Kawabe
.
, Kawabe graduated from the 19th class of the Imperial Japanese Army Academy in 1907 and the 27th class of the Army Staff College
in 1915. From 1927 to 1929, he served as an instructor at the War College. He was then assigned as a military attaché
to Switzerland from 1918 to 1921 and to Berlin, Germany from 1929 to 1932. Promoted to infantry
colonel
in 1932, he served in a number of staff assignments on his return to Japan, before being assigned command of the IJA 6th Infantry Regiment from 1932 to 1933.
Kawabe went on to be Commandant of the Infantry School from 1933 to 1934, and was Chief of 1st Section within the Inspectorate General of Military Training
from 1934 to 1936. He was promoted to major general
in 1936 as well.
Kawabe was sent to China to take command of the Permanent China Brigade, had been involved in the Marco Polo Bridge Incident
. As the war expanded he was made Deputy Chief of Staff of the North China Area Army from 26 August 1937 until 14 April 1938 when he became Chief of Staff Central China Expeditionary Army
from 15 February 1938 to 31 January 1939.
Kawabe was promoted to lieutenant general
in March 1939. During his time in China, he was involved in the Battle of Xuzhou
, Northern and Eastern Honan
, Battle of Wuhan
, Canton Operation
, Battle of Nanchang, Battle of Suixian-Zaoyang
, Battle of Changsha (1939)
, and the 1939-40 Winter Offensive
.
From 12 September 1939 to 14 October 1940 Kawabe was recalled to Japan, and held the powerful post of Inspector-General of Military Training
.
However, he returned to China as commander in chief of the IJA 12th Division in March 1940, serving under the Kwantung Army. Promoted to commander in chief of the IJA 3rd Army
in March 1941, he subsequently was Chief of Staff of the China Expeditionary Army from 17 August 1942 to 18 March 1943.
, commander of the 15th Army and an old comrade-in-arms, in his plans for a pre-emptive attack against British forces at Imphal
. The goal of this offensive was to disrupt the Allied
build-up in that area, and perhaps, if all went well, make way for an invasion of Assam
and British India. This plan was strongly opposed by most of Kawabe's commanders as well as Masazumi Inada
, Vice-Chief of Staff of the Southern Expeditionary Army based in Singapore
. Especially the difficult supply situation was thought to be a major obstacle. However in October 1943, Inada was removed from his position due to of a diplomatic incident with Thailand
and in December the plan was approved by General Hisaichi Terauchi and Prime Minister
Hideki Tōjō
on the understanding the operation would be a purely defensive.
Mutaguchi's plan was a tremendous disaster for the Japanese army, resulting in the highest casualties of any operation in the entire war, and the loss of Burma. During the later stages of this offensive, Kawabe was bedridden with amoebic dysentery
. Kawabe was relieved by General Heitarō Kimura on 30 August 1944 and returned to Japan.
Kawabe served for a short time on the Supreme War Council
. In the final stages of the war, experienced commanders were needed to organize the defenses of he Japanese home islands. Kawabe became Commander in Chief of the Central Army District on 1 December 1944, he also became Commander in Chief 15th Area Army from its formation on 1 February 1945 to 7 April 1945. Kawabe was promoted to full general
in March 1945. On 8 April 1945 he took command of Air General Army, consisting of the remaining air units in Japan, Korea
and Okinawa, for the final defense of Japan against the anticipated Allied invasion.
After the surrender of Japan
, Kawabe was retained by the SCAP occupation authoriries
to assist with the demobilization
of the Japanese military, replacing Kenji Doihara
after the latter was arrested and tried for war crimes. Kawabe retired at the end of 1945.
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...
. He held important commands in the Imperial Japanese Army during the Second Sino-Japanese War
Second Sino-Japanese War
The Second Sino-Japanese War was a military conflict fought primarily between the Republic of China and the Empire of Japan. From 1937 to 1941, China fought Japan with some economic help from Germany , the Soviet Union and the United States...
, and during World War II in the Burma Campaign
Burma Campaign
The Burma Campaign in the South-East Asian Theatre of World War II was fought primarily between British Commonwealth, Chinese and United States forces against the forces of the Empire of Japan, Thailand, and the Indian National Army. British Commonwealth land forces were drawn primarily from...
and defense of the Japanese homeland late in the war. He was also the elder brother of General Torashirō Kawabe
Torashiro Kawabe
- Notes :...
.
Early career
A native of Toyama prefectureToyama Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Hokuriku region on Honshū island. The capital is the city of Toyama.Toyama is the leading industrial prefecture on the Japan Sea coast, and has the industrial advantage of cheap electricity due to abundant water resources....
, Kawabe graduated from the 19th class of the Imperial Japanese Army Academy in 1907 and the 27th class of the Army Staff College
Army War College (Japan)
The ; Short form: of the Empire of Japan was founded in 1882 in Minato, Tokyo to modernize and Westernize the Imperial Japanese Army. Much of the empire's elite including prime ministers during the period of Japanese militarism were graduates of the college....
in 1915. From 1927 to 1929, he served as an instructor at the War College. He was then assigned as a military attaché
Military attaché
A military attaché is a military expert who is attached to a diplomatic mission . This post is normally filled by a high-ranking military officer who retains the commission while serving in an embassy...
to Switzerland from 1918 to 1921 and to Berlin, Germany from 1929 to 1932. Promoted to infantry
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
in 1932, he served in a number of staff assignments on his return to Japan, before being assigned command of the IJA 6th Infantry Regiment from 1932 to 1933.
Kawabe went on to be Commandant of the Infantry School from 1933 to 1934, and was Chief of 1st Section within the Inspectorate General of Military Training
Inspectorate General of Military Training
The was responsible for all non-military aviation training of the Imperial Japanese Army. It was headed by an Inspector general who was responsible for overseeing technical and tactical training, and who reported directly to the Emperor of Japan via the Imperial General Headquarters rather than to...
from 1934 to 1936. He was promoted to major general
Major General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
in 1936 as well.
Second Sino-Japanese War
At the beginning of the Second Sino-Japanese WarSecond Sino-Japanese War
The Second Sino-Japanese War was a military conflict fought primarily between the Republic of China and the Empire of Japan. From 1937 to 1941, China fought Japan with some economic help from Germany , the Soviet Union and the United States...
Kawabe was sent to China to take command of the Permanent China Brigade, had been involved in the Marco Polo Bridge Incident
Marco Polo Bridge Incident
The Marco Polo Bridge Incident was a battle between the Republic of China's National Revolutionary Army and the Imperial Japanese Army, often used as the marker for the start of the Second Sino-Japanese War .The eleven-arch granite bridge, Lugouqiao, is an architecturally significant structure,...
. As the war expanded he was made Deputy Chief of Staff of the North China Area Army from 26 August 1937 until 14 April 1938 when he became Chief of Staff Central China Expeditionary Army
Central China Expeditionary Army
Central China Expeditionary Army was a field army of the Imperial Japanese Army during the Second Sino-Japanese War.On November 7, 1937 Japanese Central China Area Army was organized as a reinforcement expeditionary army by combining the Shanghai Expeditionary Army and the IJA Tenth Army...
from 15 February 1938 to 31 January 1939.
Kawabe was promoted to lieutenant general
Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General....
in March 1939. During his time in China, he was involved in the Battle of Xuzhou
Battle of Xuzhou
The Battle of Xuzhou was fought between Japanese and Chinese forces in May 1938 during Second Sino-Japanese War. In contemporary accounts in English, the event was usually referred to as the "Battle of Hsuchow", using the Chinese Postal Map Romanization....
, Northern and Eastern Honan
Northern and Eastern Honan 1938
During the Second Sino-Japanese War the Japanese 1st Army under Lt. General Kiyoshi Katsuki drove the Chinese forces of General Cheng Chien's 1st War Area out of Northern and Eastern Honan until they were stopped by the disastrous 1938 Yellow River flood caused by the diversion of the Yellow River...
, Battle of Wuhan
Battle of Wuhan
The Battle of Wuhan, popularly known to the Chinese as the Defence of Wuhan, and to the Japanese as the Capture of Wuhan, was a large-scale battle of the Second Sino-Japanese War...
, Canton Operation
Canton Operation
The Canton Operation was part of a campaign by Japan during the Second Sino-Japanese War to blockade China to prevent it from communicating with the outside world and importing needed arms and materials...
, Battle of Nanchang, Battle of Suixian-Zaoyang
Battle of Suixian-Zaoyang
The Battle of Suixian–Zaoyang , also known as the Battle of Suizao was one of the 22 major engagements between the National Revolutionary Army and Imperial Japanese Army during the Second Sino-Japanese War.- The battle :...
, Battle of Changsha (1939)
Battle of Changsha (1939)
Battle of Changsha was the first attempt by Japan to take the city of Changsha, China, during the second Sino-Japanese War. It was the first major battle of the war to fall within the timeframe of what's widely considered World War II.- Background and strategy :The war had already reached a...
, and the 1939-40 Winter Offensive
1939-40 Winter Offensive
The 1939–40 Winter Offensive was one of the major engagements between the National Revolutionary Army and Imperial Japanese Army during the Second Sino-Japanese War...
.
From 12 September 1939 to 14 October 1940 Kawabe was recalled to Japan, and held the powerful post of Inspector-General of Military Training
Inspectorate General of Military Training
The was responsible for all non-military aviation training of the Imperial Japanese Army. It was headed by an Inspector general who was responsible for overseeing technical and tactical training, and who reported directly to the Emperor of Japan via the Imperial General Headquarters rather than to...
.
However, he returned to China as commander in chief of the IJA 12th Division in March 1940, serving under the Kwantung Army. Promoted to commander in chief of the IJA 3rd Army
Japanese Third Army
The was an army of the Imperial Japanese Army based in Manchukuo as a garrison force under the overall command of the Kwantung Army during World War II, but its history dates to the Russo-Japanese War.-History:...
in March 1941, he subsequently was Chief of Staff of the China Expeditionary Army from 17 August 1942 to 18 March 1943.
Pacific War
In March 1943, Kawabe was transferred to the southern front as Commander in Chief of the Burma Area Army. Arriving in Burma he was convinced to support Renya MutaguchiRenya Mutaguchi
- Notes :...
, commander of the 15th Army and an old comrade-in-arms, in his plans for a pre-emptive attack against British forces at Imphal
Imphal
Imphal is the capital of the Indian state of Manipur.In the heart of the town and surrounded by a moat, are ruins of the old Palace of Kangla. Kangla Fort used to be the home of the Assam Rifles, a paramilitary force and on November 2004 it was handed over to state of Manipur by Prime minister Dr....
. The goal of this offensive was to disrupt the Allied
Allies of World War II
The Allies of World War II were the countries that opposed the Axis powers during the Second World War . Former Axis states contributing to the Allied victory are not considered Allied states...
build-up in that area, and perhaps, if all went well, make way for an invasion of Assam
Assam
Assam , also, rarely, Assam Valley and formerly the Assam Province , is a northeastern state of India and is one of the most culturally and geographically distinct regions of the country...
and British India. This plan was strongly opposed by most of Kawabe's commanders as well as Masazumi Inada
Masazumi Inada
- Notes :...
, Vice-Chief of Staff of the Southern Expeditionary Army based in Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
. Especially the difficult supply situation was thought to be a major obstacle. However in October 1943, Inada was removed from his position due to of a diplomatic incident with Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
and in December the plan was approved by General Hisaichi Terauchi and Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Japan
The is the head of government of Japan. He is appointed by the Emperor of Japan after being designated by the Diet from among its members, and must enjoy the confidence of the House of Representatives to remain in office...
Hideki Tōjō
Hideki Tōjō
Hideki Tōjō was a general of the Imperial Japanese Army , the leader of the Taisei Yokusankai, and the 40th Prime Minister of Japan during most of World War II, from 17 October 1941 to 22 July 1944...
on the understanding the operation would be a purely defensive.
Mutaguchi's plan was a tremendous disaster for the Japanese army, resulting in the highest casualties of any operation in the entire war, and the loss of Burma. During the later stages of this offensive, Kawabe was bedridden with amoebic dysentery
Amoebic dysentery
Amoebic dysentery is a type of dysentery caused primarily by the amoeba Entamoeba histolytica. Amoebic dysentery is transmitted through contaminated food and water. Amoebae spread by forming infective cysts which can be found in stools, and spread if whoever touches them does not sanitize their...
. Kawabe was relieved by General Heitarō Kimura on 30 August 1944 and returned to Japan.
Kawabe served for a short time on the Supreme War Council
Supreme War Council (Japan)
The Supreme War Council was established during the development of representative government in Meiji period Japan to further strengthen the authority of the state. Its first leader was Yamagata Aritomo , a Chōshū native who has been credited with the founding of the modern Japanese army and was to...
. In the final stages of the war, experienced commanders were needed to organize the defenses of he Japanese home islands. Kawabe became Commander in Chief of the Central Army District on 1 December 1944, he also became Commander in Chief 15th Area Army from its formation on 1 February 1945 to 7 April 1945. Kawabe was promoted to full general
General
A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
in March 1945. On 8 April 1945 he took command of Air General Army, consisting of the remaining air units in Japan, Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
and Okinawa, for the final defense of Japan against the anticipated Allied invasion.
After the surrender of Japan
Surrender of Japan
The surrender of Japan in 1945 brought hostilities of World War II to a close. By the end of July 1945, the Imperial Japanese Navy was incapable of conducting operations and an Allied invasion of Japan was imminent...
, Kawabe was retained by the SCAP occupation authoriries
Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers
Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers was the title held by General Douglas MacArthur during the Occupation of Japan following World War II...
to assist with the demobilization
Demobilization
Demobilization is the process of standing down a nation's armed forces from combat-ready status. This may be as a result of victory in war, or because a crisis has been peacefully resolved and military force will not be necessary...
of the Japanese military, replacing Kenji Doihara
Kenji Doihara
was a general in the Imperial Japanese Army in World War II. He was instrumental in the Japanese invasion of Manchuria for which he earned fame taking the nickname 'Lawrence of Manchuria', a reference to the Lawrence of Arabia....
after the latter was arrested and tried for war crimes. Kawabe retired at the end of 1945.