imperial japanese army

The Imperial Japanese Army (大日本帝国陸軍 Dai-Nippon Teikoku Rikugun) was in existence from the Meiji Reformation to the end of World War II. It was created to replace the traditional Japanese samurai with a modern Western-style conscript army. It was controlled, at least in theory, from the Imperial General Headquarters. The Imperial Japanese Army was initially developed with the assistance of American, then French and finally by German advisors; eventually it had grown to become the most modern army in Asia, well-trained, well equipped and high in morale. However, it was at times relatively deficient in artillery , tanks and other armoured vehicles when compared with its European contemporaries. Since Japan had no independent air force, the Imperial Japanese Army also developed a potent air arm, the Army Air Service equipped with modern locally-built aircraft. However, its primary mission was the tactical support of army ground operations. The Imperial Japanese Army saw combat during the Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895) and the Russo-Japanese War; during the occupation of Korea in 1910; at the seizing of the German territory at Qingdao during World War I; at the occupation of Manchukuo in 1931; and throughout the Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945) beginning with the Nanjing Massacre of 1937. From December 1941 the Imperial Japanese Army served as the main instrument in the Japanese Empire's aggressive expansion across East Asia during World War II. It ceased to exist in September 1945. Throughout the Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945) and World War II the Imperial Japanese Army had gained a reputation both for its fanaticism and for its brutality against POWs and civilians alike. After Japan surrendered in the summer of 1945 many of the Imperial Japanese Army's officers were tried and punished for committing numerous War crimes throughout the wars.

Strength

In the early 1900's, the IJA consisted of 12 divisions and numerous other units. These contained the following:

380,000 active duty and 1st Reserve personnel - former Class A and B(1) conscripts after 2 year active tour with 17 and 1/2 year commitment
50,000 Second line Reserve - Same as above but former Class B(2) conscripts
220,000 National Army

1st National Army - 37 to 40 year old men from end of 1st Reserve to 40 years old.
2nd National Army - untrained 20 year olds and over 40 year old trained reserves.

4,250,000 males available for service and mobilization.

1934 - army increased to 17 Divisions
1940 - 376,000 active with 2 million reserves in 31 divisions

2 Divisions in Japan (Imperial Guard and one other)
2 Divisions in Korea
27 Divisions in China

1945 - 195 Divisions, plus individual units, with over 5 million men (includes Imperial Japanese Army Air Service).

Japan Defense Army in 1945 had 55 divisions with 2 million men.

Casualties

1.7 million killed, wounded, missing and captured.

Imperial Japanese Army

Strength

Casualties

See also