Japanese Thirty-Second Army
Japanese Commanders on Okinawa: (photographed early in February 1945). In center: (1) Admiral Minoru Ota, (2) Lt. Gen. Mitsuru Ushijima, (3) Lt. Gen. Isamu Cho, (4) Col. Hitoshi Kanayama, (5) Col. Kikuji Hongo, and (6) Col. Hiromichi Yahara.
ActiveMarch 3, 1944 - June 23, 1945
CountryEmpire of Japan Empire of Japan
BranchImperial Japanese Army
TypeCorps
RoleGarrison
Garrison/HQNaha, Okinawa
Nickname(s)Tama-Butai (球部隊, Orb Division)
EngagementsBattle of Okinawa

The Japanese 32nd Army (第32軍, Dai Sanjū-ni gun) was an army of the Imperial Japanese Army during the final stages of World War II. It was annihilated during the Battle of Okinawa.

History

The Japanese 32nd Army was formed on March 13, 1944 as part of the last desperate defense effort by the Empire of Japan to deter possible landings of Allied forces in Okinawa and the surrounding Ryukyu Islands. The Japanese 32nd Army had 77,000 men (39,000 infantry in 31 battalions and 38,000 artillery, armor and combat service troops) plus the 10,000 man Okinawa Naval Base Force and 42,000 Okinawan conscripts. However, many of its personnel were poorly trained reservists, conscripted students and home guard militia. It was annihilated during the Battle of Okinawa from April to June, 1945.

List of commanders

Commanding officer

Name From To
1 Lieutenant General Masao Watanabe 22 March 1944 8 August 1944
2 Lieutenant General Mitsuru Ushijima 8 August 1944 June 22, 1945 (KIA)

Chief of Staff

Name From To
1 Major General Kiyoshi Kitagawa 22 March 1944 8 July 1944
2 Lieutenant General Isamu Chō 8 July 1944 22 June 1945 (KIA)

Structure

32nd Army, HQ at Naha, Okinawa

References

External links

Categories