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Armored Divisions
Overview
As in the case of most of the belligerent powers, Japanese armored
divisions were relatively few in number by the standards of Germany
and the United States. In fact, only four such divisions were formed
during the period between 1934 and 1945, and only one of them during
the Second World War. The other three were experimental formations
first developed in China, which were later re-designated as "armored
divisions" during the Second World War.
Initially, Japan's large scale armor formations were referred to as
"Armored Groups". These differed from Armored Divisions in being
formal organizations for disparate groups of armor operated in a
specific geographical area and brigaded together for a particular
tactical purpose. Armored units could be attached and detached from
Armored Groups at will.
Later, when formal Armored Divisions were created, the idea was to
create a more or less permanent status in regards to the Armored
Groups and to recognize the de-facto status already present with many
units, particularly in China. As such, regiments were permanently
attached to the Armored Groups as opposed to being attached only
when "in theatre", and a greater sense of coordination was achieved.
Typically, a Japanese Armored Group could vary somewhat in size, due
to its ad-hoc nature, but a Japanese Armored Division was a
somewhat more formalized affair, containing four armored and one
reconnaissance regiment.
In addition, each Infantry Division was nominally assigned a company
of tankettes, along with a minimum of about twenty to forty integral
armored vehicles. Because of the way that Japanese armor doctrine
worked for much of the Second World War, these numbers could
rapidly be brought up to speed by drawing from detachments of the
Armored Groups/Armored Divisions stationed in the area. This served
to support the Japanese concept of armor supporting the infantry, but it
also further denuded the capability of IJA Armored Divisons and
smaller armored units, preventing them from operating as
independent formations.
Despite the establishment of Armored Groups and Divisions, most
Japanese tanks (more than half) were, in fact, attached to mechanized
divisions in China, and to the Independent Mixed Brigades being
experimented with throughout the war. As in the case of the larger
formations, this armor was rarely permitted independence of action,
although small units were frequently detached on special missions.
Comparatively, while the IJN did make heavy use of tanks in many of its
operations, no SNLF (Marine/Naval) Armored Divisions were formed.
One organization occasionally cited is the so-called "Shinbun" Armored
Group encountered during the Allied invasion of the Philippines. The
Shinbun fought on Luzon in 1945, but very little is known about it
beyond that.
As in the case of most of the belligerent powers, Japanese armored
divisions were relatively few in number by the standards of Germany
and the United States. In fact, only four such divisions were formed
during the period between 1934 and 1945, and only one of them during
the Second World War. The other three were experimental formations
first developed in China, which were later re-designated as "armored
divisions" during the Second World War.
Initially, Japan's large scale armor formations were referred to as
"Armored Groups". These differed from Armored Divisions in being
formal organizations for disparate groups of armor operated in a
specific geographical area and brigaded together for a particular
tactical purpose. Armored units could be attached and detached from
Armored Groups at will.
Later, when formal Armored Divisions were created, the idea was to
create a more or less permanent status in regards to the Armored
Groups and to recognize the de-facto status already present with many
units, particularly in China. As such, regiments were permanently
attached to the Armored Groups as opposed to being attached only
when "in theatre", and a greater sense of coordination was achieved.
Typically, a Japanese Armored Group could vary somewhat in size, due
to its ad-hoc nature, but a Japanese Armored Division was a
somewhat more formalized affair, containing four armored and one
reconnaissance regiment.
In addition, each Infantry Division was nominally assigned a company
of tankettes, along with a minimum of about twenty to forty integral
armored vehicles. Because of the way that Japanese armor doctrine
worked for much of the Second World War, these numbers could
rapidly be brought up to speed by drawing from detachments of the
Armored Groups/Armored Divisions stationed in the area. This served
to support the Japanese concept of armor supporting the infantry, but it
also further denuded the capability of IJA Armored Divisons and
smaller armored units, preventing them from operating as
independent formations.
Despite the establishment of Armored Groups and Divisions, most
Japanese tanks (more than half) were, in fact, attached to mechanized
divisions in China, and to the Independent Mixed Brigades being
experimented with throughout the war. As in the case of the larger
formations, this armor was rarely permitted independence of action,
although small units were frequently detached on special missions.
Comparatively, while the IJN did make heavy use of tanks in many of its
operations, no SNLF (Marine/Naval) Armored Divisions were formed.
One organization occasionally cited is the so-called "Shinbun" Armored
Group encountered during the Allied invasion of the Philippines. The
Shinbun fought on Luzon in 1945, but very little is known about it
beyond that.
The Divisions
In all, the IJA envisioned the creation of more than a dozen (12)
Armored Divisions during the war. This was, to say the least, optimistic
to the extreme. At least four Armored Groups, however, were
re-designated Armored Divisions by 1945.
1st Armored Division, "Taku" (Development)
Originally formed in Central China in 1934. In 1941, the Taku Division
was reinforced and re-formed. In 1942, it was re-designated as an
Armored Division. Aside from a brief stint in Central China, the Taku
Division was deployed to Manchuria fairly consistently for much of the
period between 1934 and 1945. Taku was recalled to Japan shortly
before the end of the war.
When officially designated an Armored Division, Taku was assigned
the 1st, 5th, 3rd, and 9th Armored Regiments and the 1st Tank Division
Reconnaissance Regiment.
2nd Armored Division, "Geki" (Hit)
Formed initially as the Geki Armored Group in Central China around
1934, Geki was re-designated an Armored Division in 1942 while
posted to Manchuria. The unit spent some time in Manchuria and was
then transferred to the Philippines where it was completely destroyed
in the fighting of 1944-45.
When officially designated an Armored Division, Geki was assigned
the 6th, 7th, and 10th Armored Regiments. The Axis History Factbook
suggests that the Armored Reconaissance Regiment was, in this
case, replaced with the 2nd Mobile Infantry Regiment (a mechanized
unit).
3rd Armored Division, "Taki" (Waterfall)
Officially designated an Armored Division in 1942 while stationed in
Outer Mongolia, Taki was probably formed prior to this as an Armored
Group. Taki saw fairly heavy and sustained fighting during the war, but
survived until the end of the war deployed to China.
According to the Axis History Factbook, Taki was formed of the same
units assigned to 2nd Armored Division (6th, 7th, and 10th Armor). This
conflicts with my sources, but I am unable to confirm the units which
DID comprise Taki at present.
4th Armored Division, "Hagane" (Steel)
Formed as an elite cadre type armored division in the mold of Panzer
Lehr, the 4th Armor was founded in Japan in early 1943 with the
assistance of German Advisors. Its tankers were hand picked, with
Hagane to have been the elite core of Japan's new armor doctrine.
The 4th never saw combat as a cohesive unit, though elements may
have been deployed elsewhere in small numbers or attached as
advisors.
The 4th consisted of the 28th, 29th, and 30th Armored Regiments,
along with the 4th Tank Division Reconnaissance Regiment.
In all, the IJA envisioned the creation of more than a dozen (12)
Armored Divisions during the war. This was, to say the least, optimistic
to the extreme. At least four Armored Groups, however, were
re-designated Armored Divisions by 1945.
1st Armored Division, "Taku" (Development)
Originally formed in Central China in 1934. In 1941, the Taku Division
was reinforced and re-formed. In 1942, it was re-designated as an
Armored Division. Aside from a brief stint in Central China, the Taku
Division was deployed to Manchuria fairly consistently for much of the
period between 1934 and 1945. Taku was recalled to Japan shortly
before the end of the war.
When officially designated an Armored Division, Taku was assigned
the 1st, 5th, 3rd, and 9th Armored Regiments and the 1st Tank Division
Reconnaissance Regiment.
2nd Armored Division, "Geki" (Hit)
Formed initially as the Geki Armored Group in Central China around
1934, Geki was re-designated an Armored Division in 1942 while
posted to Manchuria. The unit spent some time in Manchuria and was
then transferred to the Philippines where it was completely destroyed
in the fighting of 1944-45.
When officially designated an Armored Division, Geki was assigned
the 6th, 7th, and 10th Armored Regiments. The Axis History Factbook
suggests that the Armored Reconaissance Regiment was, in this
case, replaced with the 2nd Mobile Infantry Regiment (a mechanized
unit).
3rd Armored Division, "Taki" (Waterfall)
Officially designated an Armored Division in 1942 while stationed in
Outer Mongolia, Taki was probably formed prior to this as an Armored
Group. Taki saw fairly heavy and sustained fighting during the war, but
survived until the end of the war deployed to China.
According to the Axis History Factbook, Taki was formed of the same
units assigned to 2nd Armored Division (6th, 7th, and 10th Armor). This
conflicts with my sources, but I am unable to confirm the units which
DID comprise Taki at present.
4th Armored Division, "Hagane" (Steel)
Formed as an elite cadre type armored division in the mold of Panzer
Lehr, the 4th Armor was founded in Japan in early 1943 with the
assistance of German Advisors. Its tankers were hand picked, with
Hagane to have been the elite core of Japan's new armor doctrine.
The 4th never saw combat as a cohesive unit, though elements may
have been deployed elsewhere in small numbers or attached as
advisors.
The 4th consisted of the 28th, 29th, and 30th Armored Regiments,
along with the 4th Tank Division Reconnaissance Regiment.
Theatres of War
The Japanese deployed their armor in virtually every campaign waged
by the IJA and IJN. Frequently, Allied troops were rather shocked to
discover armor in the most unlikely of places - several tiny islands in
the Solomons, for example, were found with lighter Japanese vehicles.
It should be stressed, however, based upon production numbers
quoted elsewhere, that this equates to quite a few penny packet
deployments of one or two vehicles!
Generally speaking, the larger units, including three of the four
armored divisions, were deployed initially to China/Manchuria, and all
four divisions began life there. The 2nd Armored Division was
eventually relocated to the Philippines, and ended its life there. The
other three divisions survived the war. Several independent mixed
brigades were deployed in China, a few in Southeast Asia, and at least
one (briefly) in Burma.
Most of the tanks developed by the Japanese were deployed to all
fronts, but some of the specialized engineering vehicles were only
deployed to the China/Manchuria area. In addition, none of the armored
cars deployed outside the Home Islands ever left continental Asia. The
same could be said of Japan's armored trains (a topic not covered
here), which were never deployed outside the China/Manchuria area of
operations.
None of the German vehicles given to the Japanese ever left the Home
Islands.
As a means of reference, the most commonly produced Japanese
armored vehicle was the Type 95 Ha-Go, and this (subsequently) was
the most commonly encountered Japanese vehicles. All of the armies
fighting the Japanese engaged the Ha-Go, and a few of them
continued to use the Ha-Go (and a few other Japanese vehicles)
operationally post war. There are photos, for example, of Type 95
Ha-Gos at Dien Bien Phu with Viet-Minh markings!
The Japanese deployed their armor in virtually every campaign waged
by the IJA and IJN. Frequently, Allied troops were rather shocked to
discover armor in the most unlikely of places - several tiny islands in
the Solomons, for example, were found with lighter Japanese vehicles.
It should be stressed, however, based upon production numbers
quoted elsewhere, that this equates to quite a few penny packet
deployments of one or two vehicles!
Generally speaking, the larger units, including three of the four
armored divisions, were deployed initially to China/Manchuria, and all
four divisions began life there. The 2nd Armored Division was
eventually relocated to the Philippines, and ended its life there. The
other three divisions survived the war. Several independent mixed
brigades were deployed in China, a few in Southeast Asia, and at least
one (briefly) in Burma.
Most of the tanks developed by the Japanese were deployed to all
fronts, but some of the specialized engineering vehicles were only
deployed to the China/Manchuria area. In addition, none of the armored
cars deployed outside the Home Islands ever left continental Asia. The
same could be said of Japan's armored trains (a topic not covered
here), which were never deployed outside the China/Manchuria area of
operations.
None of the German vehicles given to the Japanese ever left the Home
Islands.
As a means of reference, the most commonly produced Japanese
armored vehicle was the Type 95 Ha-Go, and this (subsequently) was
the most commonly encountered Japanese vehicles. All of the armies
fighting the Japanese engaged the Ha-Go, and a few of them
continued to use the Ha-Go (and a few other Japanese vehicles)
operationally post war. There are photos, for example, of Type 95
Ha-Gos at Dien Bien Phu with Viet-Minh markings!
SENSHAN - Japanese Armored Vehicles of the Second World War
