116th Division (Imperial Japanese Army)

The 116th Division (第116師団, Dai-hyakujūroku Shidan) was an infantry division of the Imperial Japanese Army. Its call sign was Storm Division (嵐兵団, Ran Heidan). It was formed on 15 May 1938 in Kyoto as a B-class square division, simultaneously with the 106th Division. The nucleus for the formation was the 16th Division headquarters. The division was originally subordinated to the Central China Expeditionary Army.[1]

116th Division
A map of the Japanese Plan for Operation Ichi-Go
Active1938 - 1945
Country Empire of Japan
BranchImperial Japanese Army
TypeInfantry
Size25000
Garrison/HQKyoto
Nickname(s)Storm Division
EngagementsBattle of Wuhan
Battle of Nanchang
Zhejiang-Jiangxi campaign
Battle of Changde
Battle of Changsha (1944)
Operation Ichi-Go
Defense of Hengyang
Battle of West Henan–North Hubei
Commanders
Notable
commanders		Yoshishige Shimizu

Action

The division landed in Shanghai on 24 June 1938, and was immediately sent to the Dabie Mountains and Battle of Wuhan through Anqing.[2] From March 1939, a small part of the division participated in the Battle of Nanchang.[3] After the Central China Expeditionary Army was abolished, the division was reassigned to Thirteenth Army.

In the aftermath of the Doolittle Raid 18 April 1942, the unit participated in the Zhejiang-Jiangxi campaign.[4] In December 1942, the 138th Infantry Regiment was transferred to the 31st Division, therefore the 116th division became a triangular division.

In November 1943, the division fought in the Battle of Changde,[5] and from May 1944 - in the Battle of Changsha (1944).[6]

In October 1944, it was transferred to Twentieth Army and take a part in the Defense of Hengyang as a part of Operation Ichi-Go. During the intensive 40-day assault of Chinese positions, the division has suffered major losses but was able to capture the city. From March 1945, it also participated in the Battle of West Henan–North Hubei with the help of the newly created 86th Independent Mixed Brigade.[7] By the day of the surrender of Japan on 15 August 1945, the division was still in Hengyang.

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See also
  • List of Japanese Infantry Divisions

Notes

References
  • Madej, W. Victor, Japanese Armed Forces Order of Battle, 1937-1945 [2 vols], Allentown, PA: 1981.
  1. "Japanese Central China Expeditionary Army 2nd & 11th Army 4 July 1938" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 December 2011. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  2. "歩兵第109/120/133連隊/116D". Archived from the original on 7 August 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  3. "Japanese Forces Battle of Nanchang Mid-February to Early May 1939" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 December 2011. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  4. "Japanese Forces Battle of Chekiang-Kiangsi Late April 1942" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 August 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  5. "Japanese Forces Battle of Chang-te End of October 1943" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 August 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  6. "Japanese Forces Battle of Changsha-Hengyang Mid-May 1944" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 August 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  7. 86th Independent Mixed Brigade (Shusou)


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