42nd Division (Imperial Japanese Army)

42nd Division
Active	1943 - 1945
Country	Empire of Japan
Branch	Imperial Japanese Army
Type	Infantry
Size	20686
Garrison/HQ	Sendai
Nickname(s)	Distinction Division
Engagements	none

42nd Division (1943)

Parent unit	5th area army

Components	42. Divisional headquarters 42. Infantry brigade group 129. Infantry regiment (Wakamatsu) 130. Infantry regiment (Sendai) 158. Infantry regiment (Yamagata) 42. Reconnaissance regiment 12. Field artillery regiment (36 75-mm (mountain?) guns)^[1] 42. Engineer regiment 42. Transport regiment 42. Signals company 42. Ordnance company 42. Sanitation company 42/1. Field hospital 42/2. Field hospital 42/3. Field hospital 42. Epidemic Prevention and Water Purification Department 42. Veterinary department

42nd Division (July 1945)

Parent unit	5th area army

Components	129. Infantry regiment (Wakamatsu) 130. Infantry regiment (Sendai) 158. Infantry regiment (Yamagata) 42. Reconnaissance regiment 42. Engineer regiment 42. Transport regiment 42. Signals company 42. Ordnance company 42/1. Field hospital 42/2. Field hospital 42/3. Field hospital (soon transferred) 42. Divisional tank unit 5. Independent tank company 6. Independent tank company 42/1. Training infantry company 42/2. Training infantry company 42/3. Training infantry company

The 42nd Division (第42師団, Dai-yonjūni Shidan) was an infantry division of the Imperial Japanese Army. Its call sign was the Distinction Division (勲兵団, Isao Heidan)

The Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) 42nd Division was raised as a triangular division (type B, standard) on 1 June 1943 in Sendai, simultaneously with 43rd, 46th and 47th divisions. It was assigned 16 March 1944 to 27th army. A Itarkioi and Ketoebone detachments from 42nd division have engaged in garrison duties at Simushir island (in Kuril Islands). The 12th field artillery regiment was detached from the 42nd division in May 1944.^[2]

As the 27th army was abolished 1 February 1945, the 42nd division was transferred to Hokkaido and submitted directly to 5th area army.

In July 1945, several thousands of personnel were detached to form other military units. While digging in at Wakkanai, Hokkaido, the 42nd division has meet the surrender of Japan 15 August 1945 without engaging in any combat, and was disbanded in September 1945.

5
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1GD
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355

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126

Independent Mixed Brigade

Infantry Division (including guard divisions)

Independent Armored Brigade

Armored division

Japanese infantry and armored units in Home Islands, 15 August 1945

Notes and references

Madej, W. Victor. Japanese Armed Forces Order of Battle, 1937-1945 [2 vols]

Allentown, PA: 1981

秦郁彦編『日本陸海軍総合事典』第2版、東京大学出版会、2005年。
外山操・森松俊夫編著『帝国陸軍編制総覧』芙蓉書房出版、1987年。
示村貞夫『旭川第七師団』総北海出版部、1984年

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42nd Division (Imperial Japanese Army)

See also

Notes and references