WW2 Japanese Units

 

Of the major powers the Japanese were the most disorganized. Although there were official organizations for divisions they were most frequently not honored in the breach. The major portion of the army was committed to main land China and Manchuria, and in 1939 was given a rude shock at the hands of the Russians. The Western Allies met the more lightly equipped, if extremely high morale forces.  Contrary to popular belief this army was not a superior jungle fighting force but it was certainly not as road bound as the Western Allies – a very definite advantage!  Only one or two armored divisions were formed, and most armour acted as independent companies, or regiments.  The First Armored Division was held on mainland Japan throughout the war in case of invasion and was at full strength when it surrendered in 1945.

Japanese Infantry Regiment Headquarters 1936 to 1945 (Has 3 Battalions if subordinated to a division, may have up to 6 if Independent)

HQ                                                       1 HQ

1 Regimental Cannon Battery              2 75H, 2 Limber

1 Mortar Company                               2 81M

Japanese Infantry Battalion 1936 to 1945

HQ                                                       1 HQ

3 or 4 Companies each                        3 Rifle

1 Machinegun Company                      1 MMG

1 Cannon Platoon                                1 70IG, 1 Limber

1 Anti Tank Platoon                             1 37ATG, 1 Limber

Note                                                     From 1943 may replace 37mm with 47mm. 

Japanese Motorized Regiment Headquarters 1936 to 1945 (Has 3 Battalions)

HQ                                                       1 HQ

1 Regimental Cannon Battery              1 75H, 1 Limber

Japanese Motorized Infantry Battalion 1936 to 1945

HQ                                                       1 HQ

3 Companies each                               3 Rifle, 3 Light Truck

1 Machinegun Company                      1 MMG, 1 Light Truck

1 Cannon Platoon                                1 70IG, 1 Light Truck

1 Anti Tank Platoon                             1 37ATG, 1 Light Truck

             

Japanese Tank Brigade Headquarters 1936 to 1945 (Commands 3 Tank Regiments)

HQ                                                       1 HQ

Japanese Armored Division Tank Regiment 1942 to 1945

HQ                                                       1 HQ

4 Medium Tank Squadrons each         4 Type 97

1 Light Tank Squadron                        3 Type 95

Note                                                                                                     This unit may be used independently, for a hypothetical invasion of Japan the tanks may be Type 3, but only 60 of these were produced.

Japanese Armored Division Reconnaissance Regiment 1942 to 1945

HQ                                                       1 HQ

2 Light Tank Squadrons each              3 Type 95

1 Medium Tank Squadron                   3 Type 97

1 Anti Tank Squadron                          3 47ATG, 3 Light Truck

Note                                                                                                     It is possible that this unit was also equipped with the excellent M25 armored car during the war in China and was probably used as a Corps Recce asset.

Japanese Recce Regiment 1942 to 1945

HQ                                                       1 HQ

1 Cavalry Company                             3 Rifle, 3 Horse

2 Motorized Cavalry Companies each 2 Rifle, 1 MMG, 1 37ATG, 4 Light Truck

1 Tankette Company                            3 Type 95

1 Motorized Company                          3 Rifle, 3 Light Truck, 1 M25

Japanese Infantry Division Tank Regiment 1936 to 1945

HQ                                                       1 HQ

2 Medium Tank Squadrons each         4 Type 97

1 Light Tank Squadron                        3 Type 95

Note                                                    The Light squadron may be used independently.

Japanese Divisional Anti Tank Regiment 1936 to 1945 (Infantry use Horses and only in China)

HQ                                                       1 HQ

3 Anti Tank Batteries each                   3 37ATG, 3 Limber

Japanese Infantry Divisional Artillery Regiment 1936 to 1945

HQ                                                       1 HQ

2 to 3 Artillery Battalions each             3 75H, 1 FAO, 3 Limber

Note                                                                                                     105mm can only be used in China. Battalions would normally be used independently.

Japanese Armored Divisional Artillery Regiment 1942 to 1945

HQ                                                       1 FAO

3 Artillery Batteries each                     1 105H, 1 Medium Truck

Note                                                     1 Battery may be used with 150H

Japanese Cavalry Brigade 1936 to 1945

HQ                                                       1 HQ

2 Regiments    

HQ                                           1 HQ

            3 Cavalry Squadrons each       2 Rifle, 2 Horse

            1 Machinegun Squadron         1 MMG, 1 Horse

1 Anti Aircraft Company                       2 20AAG, 2 Limber

1 Anti Tank Company                          3 37ATG, 3 Limber        

1 Artillery Battery                                 1 75H, 1 Limber

1 Light Tank Squadron                        3 Type 95

Note                                                                                                     A Corps asset but one regiment may be used with an Infantry Division as its recce unit.

Japanese Engineer Regiment

HQ                                                       1 HQ

3 Companies each                               3 Engr

Large Units:

Infantry Division – 2 to 4 Infantry Regiments, 1 Artillery Regiment, 1 Anti-Tank Regiment, 1 Tank Regiment (not in all divisions), 1 Engineer Regiment, 1 Anti-Aircraft Battalion

Armored Division – 2 Tank Regiments, 1 Motorized Infantry Regiment, 1 Recce Regiment, 1 Artillery Regiment, 1 Anti-Tank Regiment, 1 Anti-Aircraft Battalion

Fortress Brigade – 1 Headquarters, 1 to 4 Artillery Battalions (105 to 150mm), 1 Mixed Anti-Aircraft/Anti-Tank Group (3 to 4 companies of each), 1 Engineer Regiment, 1 Infantry Battalion