106th Division (Imperial Japanese Army)

The 106th Division was a B-class division of the Imperial Japanese Army during the Second Sino-Japanese War. Formed in Central China in 1937-1938, under the Central China Expeditionary Force in the Nanjing, Shanghai area. The majority of the soldiers in this division were reservists, merchants and employees from Osaka. Its first division commander was Lieutenant General Matsuura Junrokuro, a graduate from Japanese Army War College.

Regiments

The division was organized as a square division:

106th Division
* 111th Infantry Brigade
** 113th Infantry Regiment
** 147th Infantry Regiment
* 136th Infantry Brigade
** 125th Infantry Regiment
** 145th Infantry Regiment
* 106th Field Artillery Regiment
* 106th Cavalry Regiment
* 106th Engineer Regiment
* 106th Transport Regiment

History

The 106th Division participated in the Wuchang-Hankou Campaign during which it was heavily engaged in the Battle of Wanjialing. From 1939 to 1940 the 106th Division was commanded by Lieutenant General Nakai Ryotaro. Under his command the division was in the Battle of Nanchang and the First Changsha Campaign. The 106th was then sent to hold positions along the south bank of the Yangtze River between Wuhu and Hukou and stood off the attacks of the Chinese 1939-40 Winter Offensive. Afterward the division was returned to Japan and disbanded on March 9th 1940.

ources

* Madej, W. Victor, "Japanese Armed Forces Order of Battle", 1937-1945 [2 vols] , Allentown, PA: 1981.
* Hsu Long-hsuen and Chang Ming-kai, "History of The Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945) 2nd Ed." ,1971. Translated by Wen Ha-hsiung , Chung Wu Publishing; 33, 140th Lane, Tung-hwa Street, Taipei, Taiwan Republic of China.

ee also

* List of Japanese Infantry Divisions