26th Division (Imperial Japanese Army)

The 26th Division (第26師団, Dai-nijūroku Shidan) was an infantry division in the Imperial Japanese Army. Its call sign was the Spring Division (泉兵団, Izumi Heidan). The 26th Division was raised 30 September 1937 out of the three independent infantry regiments from the original 11th Independent Mixed Brigade and reserve components various divisions based in Manchukuo. It has the distinction of being the first triangular division Japan formed.

Action

Intended initially as a garrison force to provide security for central Manchukuo, on July 4, 1938 it was attached to the forming Mongolia Garrison Army in Inner Mongolia. The 26th division have participated in 1939–40 Winter Offensive. Stationed initially in Datong, first it was used to parry a Chinese attack on Xinyang 22 December 1939. Later the 26th division was used to relieve a besieged Baotou 28 January 1940. By 4 February 1940, the 26th division have broken the Chinese opposing forces near Baotou, overrun Wuyuan and advanced to Linhe District. The Chinese counterattack have resulted in Battle of Wuyuan from 16 March 1940, and 26th division has retreated to Baotou 30-31 March 1940.

18 March 1943, the 26th infantry brigade was abolished and infantry regiments were subordinated directly to the divisional command.

With the situation in the Pacific War against the United States becoming critical, 1 July 1944 26th division was transferred to the Japanese 14th Area Army based in Manila, Philippines. The reconnaissance regiment was disbanded as unnecessary. The division have suffered heavy (about 7000 men killed) losses en route to Manila as the Convoy Hi-71 was ambushed by the US submarines. Also, landing at Ormoc 9 November 1944 has happened amidst Battle of Ormoc Bay, therefore transport ships were forced to leave early, before unloading all of the equipment and supplies - only to be sunk while on return route.^[1] Many of later supply and reinforcement vessels were also sunk. 26th division have attacked US positions in Battle of Shoestring Ridge 28 November 1944, resulting in tactical stalemate until 5 December 1944, when Japanese forces were withdrawn to between Palanas river and Tabgas River in Albuera, where the Japanese defences held for few more days. 6 December 1944, one battalion of the 26th division has participated in Battle of the Airfields together with the remnants of the 16th division, but after some initial successes was defeated 9 December 1944. The 26th division was largely annihilated during the Battle of Leyte by 23 December 1944, and all contact with the central command was lost until early March, 1945.^[2] Few soldiers have survived until surrender of Japan 15 August 1945 in mountains of Merida and Isabel.

See also

• List of Japanese Infantry Divisions

Reference and further reading

• Madej, W. Victor. Japanese Armed Forces Order of Battle, 1937-1945 [2 vols] Allentown, PA: 1981
• This article incorporates material from the Japanese Wikipedia page 第26師団 (日本軍), accessed 8 March 2016.