23rd Division (Imperial Japanese Army)

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= 23rd Infantry Division


caption=
dates= 1938 - 1945
country=Empire of Japan
allegiance=
branch=Imperial Japanese Army
type=Infantry
role=
size=
command_structure=
garrison=Kumamoto, Japan
current_commander=
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
notable_commanders=
identification_symbol=
identification_symbol_2=
nickname="Sunrise Division"
patron=
motto=
colors=
colors_label=
march=
mascot=
battles=Battle of Nomonhan
Pacific War
anniversaries=
decorations=
battle_honours=The nihongo|23rd Infantry Division|歩兵第五師団|Hohei dainijūsan Shidan was an infantry division in the Imperial Japanese Army. Its call-sign was the nihongo|Sunrise Division|旭兵団|Kyokuhei-dan.

History

The 23rd Division was formed in Kumamoto on 4 April 1938 as the first reserve division for the Second Sino-Japanese War. The 23rd Division was almost immediately sent to the northern frontier of Manchukuo, where replaced a cavalry brigade on garrison duties in Hailar (in what is now part of Inner Mongolia). The 23rd Division was thus the primary Japanese division involved in the subsequent Battle of Nomonhan against the Soviet Union's Red Army from May – September 1939. In this campaign, which was a disaster for the Imperial Japanese army, the 23rd Division suffered from 11,958 men killed, (or about 80% of its combat strength), including most of its regimental commanders. Commanding general Michitaro Komatsubara was recalled to Japan in disgrace.

The remnants of the 23rd Division returned to Japan, and were assigned to assist the No.8 Border Defense Force (the future IJA 119th Division) in 1940. In 1944, now back up to strength, the 23rd Division was reassigned to garrison duties in Taiwan.

However, with the situation in the Philippines against the United States in the Pacific War becoming ever more precarious, the 23rd Division was reassigned to Luzon in January 1945, under control of the Japanese 14th Area Army. It arrived just in time to engage in combat against the Americans during the Invasion of Lingayen Gulf. At this battle, and in subsequent combat during the Battle of Luzon continued to the Philippine troops through March 1945, the 23rd Division suffered 24,508 killed in combat, out of a total strength of 29,636 men. The 23rd Division effectively ceased to exist after the Battle of Luzon. [ Madej, W. Victor, "Japanese Armed Forces Order of Battle, 1937-1945" [2 vols] Allentown, PA: 1981]

Organization

The original Order of Battle of the IJA 23rd Division included:
*23rd Infantry Brigade Group:
** 64th Infantry Regiment (Kumamoto)
** 71st Infantry Regiment (Kagoshima)
** 72nd Infantry Regiment (Miyokonojo)
* 23rd Reconnaissance Regiment
** Cavalry Troop
** Tankette Company
* 13th Field Artillery Regiment
* 23rd Engineer Regiment
* 23rd Transport Regiment

ee also

* List of Japanese Infantry Divisions

References