22nd Division (Imperial Japanese Army)
The 22nd Division was an infantry division in the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA). Its call sign was the Gorge Division (峡兵団, Kyou Heidan).
History
The 22nd Division was formed on December 16, 1938, in Hirosaki, Aomori, as a triangular division under the command of Lieutenant General Harukichi Hyakutake. It was initially assigned to the North China Area Army as part of the IJA's expansion following the outbreak of the Second Sino-Japanese War.
The division was initially composed of the 84th Infantry Regiment, 85th Infantry Regiment, and 86th Infantry Regiment, along with supporting artillery, engineering, and transport units.
In 1939, the 22nd Division participated in mopping-up operations in Hebei province, China.
Later, in 1940, the division was transferred south and participated in the Invasion of French Indochina.
With the outbreak of the Pacific War in December 1941, the 22nd Division was committed to the invasion of the Philippines as part of the 14th Army under Lieutenant General Masaharu Homma. It was involved in the Battle of Bataan and the Battle of Corregidor. The division was known for its brutality during the Bataan Death March.
Following the conquest of the Philippines, the 22nd Division remained in the archipelago, primarily involved in garrison duties and fighting against Filipino resistance movements.
In early 1945, as Allied forces began their reconquest of the Philippines, the 22nd Division was heavily engaged in the Battle of Luzon. Suffering heavy casualties, the remnants of the division continued to fight until the Japanese surrender in August 1945.
Organization
As a triangular division formed in 1938, the 22nd Division typically comprised:
- Division Headquarters
- 84th Infantry Regiment
- 85th Infantry Regiment
- 86th Infantry Regiment
- 22nd Mountain Artillery Regiment
- 22nd Engineer Regiment
- 22nd Transport Regiment
- Other supporting units
Commanders
- Lieutenant General Harukichi Hyakutake (December 16, 1938 – September 12, 1941)
- Lieutenant General Yoshio Tsukinari (September 12, 1941 – April 7, 1943)
- Lieutenant General Shigemasa Aoki (April 7, 1943 – Surrender)