106th Division (Imperial Japanese Army)
The 106th Division was an infantry division in the Imperial Japanese Army. Its call sign was Akiyama Division.
History
The 106th Division was formed on May 15, 1938, in Kumamoto, as a triangular division. Its initial command was given to Lieutenant General Rinji Isogai. The division was initially assigned to the 11th Army.
Its first major engagement was in the Battle of Wuhan in 1938. Notably, during this battle, the 106th Division was nearly encircled and destroyed near the town of Wanjialing. Chinese forces inflicted heavy casualties, estimated at over 75% of the division's strength. The Division was saved from complete annihilation by reinforcements.
After the Battle of Wuhan, the 106th Division remained in China for the remainder of the war. It was later transferred to the 6th Area Army. The division was primarily involved in garrison duties and localized combat operations aimed at suppressing resistance and securing occupied territory. The 106th Division was stationed in Guangdong province in southern China at the end of the war and was subsequently demobilized.
Organization
As a triangular division formed in 1938, the 106th Division's main components were three infantry regiments:
- 111th Infantry Regiment
- 113th Infantry Regiment
- 147th Infantry Regiment
Other supporting units included:
- 106th Field Artillery Regiment
- 106th Engineer Regiment
- 106th Transport Regiment
- and other supporting units.
Commanding Officers
- Lieutenant General Rinji Isogai (May 15, 1938 - September 9, 1939)
- Lieutenant General Ryotaro Nakai (September 9, 1939 - August 1, 1942)
- Lieutenant General Tateki Kido (August 1, 1942 - April 7, 1945)
- Lieutenant General Takeo Harada (April 7, 1945 - Demobilization)