Southern Expeditionary Army Group
Encyclopedia
The was a army group
of the Imperial Japanese Army
during World War II. It was responsible for all military operations in South East Asian
and South West Pacific campaigns
of World War II.
The Southern Expeditionary Army Group was formed on November 6, 1941, under the command of Marshal Hisaichi Terauchi, with orders to attack and occupy Allied
territories and colonies in South East Asia and the South Pacific.
were finalized on November 13–15, by Lt General Masaharu Homma
, Lt General Hideyoshi Obata
, Vice Admiral Ibō Takahashi
and Vice Admiral Nishizo Tsukahara.
These plans called for air attacks against the Philippines, beginning on X-Day
, by the 5th Army Air Force Division and the 11th Naval Air Fleet. At this time, Imperial Japanese Army
and Imperial Japanese Navy
units were to land on Batan Island
, Luzon
(at Aparri, Cagayan
, Vigan, and Legazpi City
), and at Davao, Mindanao
, and to seize airfields. Following the elimination of American air support, the main body of the IJA 14th Army was to land at Lingayen Gulf
, while another force landed at Lamon Bay
. These forces were then to attack Manila
in a pincer attack
. After this, the islands of Manila Bay
were to be taken. In the resulting Battle of the Philippines (1942), Japanese forces accomplished their primary objectives.
Indochina
and occupied its naval and air bases.
arrived at Takao
, Taiwan
from his base at Saigon. He received an order to hasten the invasion preparation toward Java
. But due to shipping shortages, he had to adjust the plans. On January 21, he arrived at Manila
to inspect the IJA 48th Division and to have discussion with the commander of the IJN 3rd Fleet
. The Netherlands East Indies was invaded in a three-prong attack by using 3 groups: western, center and eastern group.
, was ordered on January 25 to move in to Cam Ranh Bay
and became the main force of western invasion group. At Cam Ranh Bay, the troops were trained for the tropical jungle warfare
. On the 30th, the attack order was announced. The western group was carried aboard 56 transport ships and left for Java on February 18. By midnight on February 28, the ships landed at Merak and Bantam Bay on Java island.
Following the surrender of Hong Kong
, the 228th, 229th and 230th Infantry Regiments from the IJA 38th Division were also deployed to Netherlands East Indies separately. On February 13, the 229th and 230th assaulted Palembang
on Sumatra
and then joined the main force. On February 28 midnight the 230th Infantry Regiment landed on Eretan Wetan on Java.
and the Sakaguchi detachment (56th Regiment Group) joined the force. They landed at Kragan on Java by midnight February 28.
Earlier on January 11, the Sakaguchi detachment and 2nd Kure Special Naval Landing Force
occupied Tarakan
. They secured Balikpapan on January 23. On 10 February Bandjermasin, the capital of Dutch Borneo
was occupied.
on January 9 and during the early morning of January 11, arrived at and occupied Menado
. The Sasebo Combined Special Naval Landing Force then attacked and occupied Kendari
on January 23. Makassar was captured on 9 February by the Sasebo Combined Special Naval Landing Force. All these are on Celebes
island.
The 1st Kure Special Naval Landing Force and 228th Infantry Regiment from 38th Army and Airplane Carrier Division 2 from Japan, reached Ambon
on January 30.
Army group
An army group is a military organization consisting of several field armies, which is self-sufficient for indefinite periods. It is usually responsible for a particular geographic area...
of the Imperial Japanese Army
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. It was responsible for all military operations in South East Asian
South-East Asian theatre of World War II
The South-East Asian Theatre of World War II was the name given to the campaigns of the Pacific War in Burma , Ceylon, India, Thailand, Indochina, Malaya and Singapore. Conflict in the theatre began when the Empire of Japan invaded Thailand and Malaya from bases located in Indochina on December 8,...
and South West Pacific campaigns
South West Pacific Area
South West Pacific Area was the name given to the Allied supreme military command in the South West Pacific Theatre of World War II. It was one of four major Allied commands in the Pacific theatres of World War II, during 1942–45...
of World War II.
The Southern Expeditionary Army Group was formed on November 6, 1941, under the command of Marshal Hisaichi Terauchi, with orders to attack and occupy 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...
territories and colonies in South East Asia and the South Pacific.
The Philippines
Plans for an invasion of the PhilippinesPhilippines
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...
were finalized on November 13–15, by Lt General Masaharu Homma
Masaharu Homma
was a general in the Imperial Japanese Army. He is noteworthy for his role in the invasion and occupation of the Philippines during World War II. Homma, who was an amateur painter and playwright, was also known as the Poet General.-Biography:...
, Lt General Hideyoshi Obata
Hideyoshi Obata
was a general in the Imperial Japanese Army in World War II.-Biography:Obata was a native of Osaka prefecture. He graduated from the 23rd class of the Imperial Japanese Army Academy in December 1911, and was commissioned as a lieutenant in the cavalry...
, Vice Admiral Ibō Takahashi
Ibo Takahashi
- Books :...
and Vice Admiral Nishizo Tsukahara.
These plans called for air attacks against the Philippines, beginning on X-Day
X-Day
X-Day may refer to:* X-Day , a festival associated with the Church of the SubGenius* X-Day , a 2002 manga written by Setona Mizushiro* March 20, 2003 anti-war protest, a protests against the Iraq War...
, by the 5th Army Air Force Division and the 11th Naval Air Fleet. At this time, Imperial Japanese Army
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...
and Imperial Japanese Navy
Imperial Japanese Navy
The Imperial Japanese Navy was the navy of the Empire of Japan from 1869 until 1947, when it was dissolved following Japan's constitutional renunciation of the use of force as a means of settling international disputes...
units were to land on Batan Island
Batan Island
Batan island is the main island of the Batanes Province in the Philippines, part of the Batanes Islands group and the Luzon Volcanic Arc. It is home to the provincial capital Basco. The island is known chiefly for Mount Iraya....
, Luzon
Luzon
Luzon is the largest island in the Philippines. It is located in the northernmost region of the archipelago, and is also the name for one of the three primary island groups in the country centered on the Island of Luzon...
(at Aparri, Cagayan
Aparri, Cagayan
Aparri is a 1st class municipality in the province of Cagayan, Luzon, Philippines. According to the latest census, Aparri has a population of 69,024 people.Aparri has an approximate income of Php 90,000,000.00...
, Vigan, and Legazpi City
Legazpi City
The City of Legazpi is a first class city and capital of the province of Albay, Philippines. With 179,481 inhabitants according to the 2007 census, it is the largest city in the Bicol Region in terms of population, though not in land area...
), and at Davao, Mindanao
Mindanao
Mindanao is the second largest and easternmost island in the Philippines. It is also the name of one of the three island groups in the country, which consists of the island of Mindanao and smaller surrounding islands. The other two are Luzon and the Visayas. The island of Mindanao is called The...
, and to seize airfields. Following the elimination of American air support, the main body of the IJA 14th Army was to land at Lingayen Gulf
Lingayen Gulf
The Lingayen Gulf is an extension of the South China Sea on Luzon in the Philippines stretching . It is framed by the provinces of Pangasinan and La Union and sits between the Zambales Mountains and the Cordillera Central...
, while another force landed at Lamon Bay
Lamon Bay
Lamon Bay is a large bay in the southern part of Luzon island, Philippines, at .-Lamon Bay:It is a body of water connecting the southern part of Quezon province to the Pacific Ocean, and bounds the coastal towns of Atimonan, Gumaca, Plaridel, Lopez, Calauag, and the islands of Alabat. It is a rich...
. These forces were then to attack 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,...
in a pincer attack
Pincer movement
The pincer movement or double envelopment is a military maneuver. The flanks of the opponent are attacked simultaneously in a pinching motion after the opponent has advanced towards the center of an army which is responding by moving its outside forces to the enemy's flanks, in order to surround it...
. After this, the islands of Manila Bay
Manila Bay
Manila Bay is a natural harbor which serves the Port of Manila , in the Philippines.The bay is considered to be one of the best natural harbors in Southeast Asia and one of the finest in the world...
were to be taken. In the resulting Battle of the Philippines (1942), Japanese forces accomplished their primary objectives.
French Indochina
On July 22, 1941, Japanese forces invaded Vichy FrenchVichy France
Vichy France, Vichy Regime, or Vichy Government, are common terms used to describe the government of France that collaborated with the Axis powers from July 1940 to August 1944. This government succeeded the Third Republic and preceded the Provisional Government of the French Republic...
Indochina
French Indochina
French Indochina was part of the French colonial empire in southeast Asia. A federation of the three Vietnamese regions, Tonkin , Annam , and Cochinchina , as well as Cambodia, was formed in 1887....
and occupied its naval and air bases.
Netherlands East Indies
On January 18, 1942, the commander of 16th Army Lt. General Hitoshi ImamuraHitoshi Imamura
-External links:...
arrived at Takao
Takao
Takao may refer to:* Mount Takao in Tokyo, Japan* Kaohsiung, Taiwan: The Taiwanese and Japanese name before administration of Taiwan was handed to the Republic of China...
, Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
from his base at Saigon. He received an order to hasten the invasion preparation toward Java
Java
Java is an island of Indonesia. With a population of 135 million , it is the world's most populous island, and one of the most densely populated regions in the world. It is home to 60% of Indonesia's population. The Indonesian capital city, Jakarta, is in west Java...
. But due to shipping shortages, he had to adjust the plans. On January 21, he arrived at 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,...
to inspect the IJA 48th Division and to have discussion with the commander of the IJN 3rd Fleet
IJN 3rd Fleet
The was a fleet of the Imperial Japanese Navy, which was created on six separate occasions.-Russo-Japanese War:First established on 28 December 1903, the IJN 3rd Fleet was created by the Imperial General Headquarters as an administrative unit to manage various vessels considered too obsolete for...
. The Netherlands East Indies was invaded in a three-prong attack by using 3 groups: western, center and eastern group.
Western invasion group
The IJA 2nd Division of the IJA 16th Army, which was assembled in TaiwanTaiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
, was ordered on January 25 to move in to Cam Ranh Bay
Cam Ranh Bay
Cam Ranh Bay is a deep-water bay in Vietnam in the province of Khánh Hòa. It is located at an inlet of the South China Sea situated on the southeastern coast of Vietnam, between Phan Rang and Nha Trang, approximately 290 kilometers / 180 miles northeast of Hồ Chí Minh City / Saigon.Cam Ranh is...
and became the main force of western invasion group. At Cam Ranh Bay, the troops were trained for the tropical jungle warfare
Jungle warfare
Jungle warfare is a term used to cover the special techniques needed for military units to survive and fight in jungle terrain.It has been the topic of extensive study by military strategists, and was an important part of the planning for both sides in many conflicts, including World War II and the...
. On the 30th, the attack order was announced. The western group was carried aboard 56 transport ships and left for Java on February 18. By midnight on February 28, the ships landed at Merak and Bantam Bay on Java island.
Following the surrender of Hong Kong
Battle of Hong Kong
The Battle of Hong Kong took place during the Pacific campaign of World War II. It began on 8 December 1941 and ended on 25 December 1941 with Hong Kong, then a Crown colony, surrendering to the Empire of Japan.-Background:...
, the 228th, 229th and 230th Infantry Regiments from the IJA 38th Division were also deployed to Netherlands East Indies separately. On February 13, the 229th and 230th assaulted Palembang
Palembang
Palembang is the capital city of the South Sumatra province in Indonesia. Palembang is one of the oldest cities in Indonesia, and has a history of being a capital of a maritime empire. Located on the Musi River banks on the east coast of southern Sumatra island, it has an area of 400.61 square...
on Sumatra
Sumatra
Sumatra is an island in western Indonesia, westernmost of the Sunda Islands. It is the largest island entirely in Indonesia , and the sixth largest island in the world at 473,481 km2 with a population of 50,365,538...
and then joined the main force. On February 28 midnight the 230th Infantry Regiment landed on Eretan Wetan on Java.
Center invasion group
The center group was composed of IJA 48th Division, left for Java on February 8, 1942 from Lingayen Gulf, in the Philippines. On February 25, the convoy arrived at BalikpapanBalikpapan
Balikpapan is a seaport city on the eastern coast of the island of Borneo, Indonesia, in the East Kalimantan province, a resource-rich region well known for its timber, mining, and petroleum export products. Two harbors, Semayang and Kariangau , and the Sepinggan International Airport are the main...
and the Sakaguchi detachment (56th Regiment Group) joined the force. They landed at Kragan on Java by midnight February 28.
Earlier on January 11, the Sakaguchi detachment and 2nd Kure Special Naval Landing Force
Japanese Special Naval Landing Forces
The Japanese Special Naval Landing Forces , were the marine troops of the Imperial Japanese Navy and were a part of the IJN Land Forces...
occupied Tarakan
Tarakan, East Kalimantan
Tarakan, located on Tarakan Island is one of the major cities in eastern Borneo, just across the border from Sabah, Malaysia. Once a major oil producing region during colonial period, Tarakan had great strategic importance during the Pacific War and was among the first Japanese targets early in the...
. They secured Balikpapan on January 23. On 10 February Bandjermasin, the capital of Dutch Borneo
Kalimantan
In English, the term Kalimantan refers to the Indonesian portion of the island of Borneo, while in Indonesian, the term "Kalimantan" refers to the whole island of Borneo....
was occupied.
Eastern invasion group
The Eastern invasion group included the Sasebo Combined Naval Landing Force and 1st Yokosuka Special Naval Landing Force. They left DavaoDavao
Davao refers to several closely related places in Mindanao in the Philippines. The term is used most often to refer to the city.*Davao Region, an administrative region*Davao del Norte province*Davao del Sur province*Davao Oriental province...
on January 9 and during the early morning of January 11, arrived at and occupied Menado
Manado
Manado is the capital of the North Sulawesi province of Indonesia. Manado is located at the Bay of Manado, and is surrounded by a mountainous area. The city has about 405,715 inhabitants, making it the second-largest city in Sulawesi after Makassar...
. The Sasebo Combined Special Naval Landing Force then attacked and occupied Kendari
Kendari
Kendari is the capital of the Indonesian province of South East Sulawesi. The city lies along Kendari Bay. Moramo Waterfall is located 65 km east of Kendari. Kendari is divided into four subdistricts: Kendari, Mandonga, Baruga, and Poasia...
on January 23. Makassar was captured on 9 February by the Sasebo Combined Special Naval Landing Force. All these are on Celebes
Sulawesi
Sulawesi is one of the four larger Sunda Islands of Indonesia and is situated between Borneo and the Maluku Islands. In Indonesia, only Sumatra, Borneo, and Papua are larger in territory, and only Java and Sumatra have larger Indonesian populations.- Etymology :The Portuguese were the first to...
island.
The 1st Kure Special Naval Landing Force and 228th Infantry Regiment from 38th Army and Airplane Carrier Division 2 from Japan, reached Ambon
Ambon Island
Ambon Island is part of the Maluku Islands of Indonesia. The island has an area of , and is mountainous, well watered, and fertile. Ambon Island consists of 2 territories: The main city and seaport is Ambon , which is also the capital of Maluku province and Maluku Tengah Ambon Island is part of the...
on January 30.
Thailand and Burma
Malaya and Singapore
South West Pacific
Commanding Officer
| Name | From | To | |
| 1 | Field Marshal Count Hisaichi Terauchi | 6 November 1941 | 31 August 1945 |
Chief of Staff
| Name | From | To | |
| 1 | Lieutenant General Osamu Tsukada | 6 November 1941 | 1 July 1942 |
| 2 | Lieutenant General Shigenori Kuroda Shigenori Kuroda Shigenori Kuroda was a general of the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II.-Biography:Kuroda was commissioned as an infantry officer in 1909. He graduated from War College in 1916 and became a military observer in Europe. It was during World War I. From 1935-1937, he served as military... |
1 July 1942 | 19 May 1943 |
| 3 | Lieutenant General Kinori Shimizu | 19 May 1943 | 22 March 1944 |
| 4 | Lieutenant General Jo Iimura Jo Iimura - Notes :... |
22 March 1944 | 26 December 1944 |
| 5 | Lieutenant General Takazo Numata | 26 December 1944 | September 1944 |