51st Division (Imperial Japanese Army)
Encyclopedia
The 51st Division was an infantry
division of the Imperial Japanese Army
. It was formed on 10 July 1940 at Utsunomiya, Tochigi
, and was assigned to the Eastern District Army. Under the command of Lieutenant General Kenichiro Ueno, upon formation the division's infantry
group consisted of three infantry regiments: the 66th
, 102nd
and 115th
. Other supporting elements included the 51st Reconnaissance Regiment, the 14th Field Artillery Regiment, the 51st Engineer Regiment, the 51st Transport Regiment and a divisional signals unit. In July 1941 Prince Yi Un took over as commander of the division, leading them to China when they were transferred to the Kwantung Army in August 1941. In September 1941, the division was re-assigned to the Twenty-Third Army. In November 1941, Yi Un handed over command to Lieutenant General Hidemitsu Nakano
, who would remain in command of the division until after the end of the war. The following year, in November 1942, the 51st Division was moved to New Guinea
where they were allocated to the Eighteenth Army. In February 1943, the division concentrated around the Lae
–Salamaua
area, and subsequently took part in the New Guinea campaign
throughout 1943–45, fighting against Australian and United States forces before being destroyed.
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
division of the Imperial Japanese Army
Imperial Japanese Army
-Foundation:During the Meiji Restoration, the military forces loyal to the Emperor were samurai drawn primarily from the loyalist feudal domains of Satsuma and Chōshū...
. It was formed on 10 July 1940 at Utsunomiya, Tochigi
Utsunomiya, Tochigi
is the capital and most populous city of Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. In October 2010 the city had an estimated population of 510,416 and a population density of 1,224.49 people per square kilometer. The total area is 416.84 km². had a population of 888,005 in the 2000 Census...
, and was assigned to the Eastern District Army. Under the command of Lieutenant General Kenichiro Ueno, upon formation the division's infantry
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
group consisted of three infantry regiments: the 66th
66th Infantry Regiment (Imperial Japanese Army)
The 115th Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment in the Imperial Japanese Army. The regiment was attached to the 127th Infantry Brigade of the 114th Division and participated during the Second Sino-Japanese War. It was later reassigned to the 51st Division and during the later stages of World...
, 102nd
102nd Infantry Regiment (Imperial Japanese Army)
The 102nd Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment in the Imperial Japanese Army. The regiment was at one stage attached to the 128th Infantry Brigade, of the 114th Division, in the Tenth Army during the Second Sino-Japanese War...
and 115th
115th Infantry Regiment (Imperial Japanese Army)
The 115th Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment in the Imperial Japanese Army. The regiment was attached to the 127th Infantry Brigade of the 114th Division and participated during the Second Sino-Japanese War. It was later reassigned to the 51st Division and during the later stages of World...
. Other supporting elements included the 51st Reconnaissance Regiment, the 14th Field Artillery Regiment, the 51st Engineer Regiment, the 51st Transport Regiment and a divisional signals unit. In July 1941 Prince Yi Un took over as commander of the division, leading them to China when they were transferred to the Kwantung Army in August 1941. In September 1941, the division was re-assigned to the Twenty-Third Army. In November 1941, Yi Un handed over command to Lieutenant General Hidemitsu Nakano
Hidemitsu Nakano
was a senior officer in the Imperial Japanese Army. He was promoted as the Commanding Officer of the 51st Division in Manchuria on 16 November 1941. He was the commanding officer with the division in China, New Britain and New Guinea.-References:...
, who would remain in command of the division until after the end of the war. The following year, in November 1942, the 51st Division was moved to New Guinea
New Guinea campaign
The New Guinea campaign was one of the major military campaigns of World War II.Before the war, the island of New Guinea was split between:...
where they were allocated to the Eighteenth Army. In February 1943, the division concentrated around the Lae
Lae
Lae, the capital of Morobe Province, is the second-largest city in Papua New Guinea. It is located at the start of the Highlands Highway which is the main land transport corridor from the Highlands region to the coast...
–Salamaua
Salamaua
Salamaua was a small town situated on the north-eastern coastline of Papua New Guinea part of Morobe province. The settlement was built on a minor isthmus between the coast with mountains on the inland side and a headland...
area, and subsequently took part in the New Guinea campaign
New Guinea campaign
The New Guinea campaign was one of the major military campaigns of World War II.Before the war, the island of New Guinea was split between:...
throughout 1943–45, fighting against Australian and United States forces before being destroyed.