147th Division (Imperial Japanese Army)

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147th Division
第147師団
Active1945–1945
CountryEmpire of Japan Empire of Japan
Allegiance52nd army
BranchImperial Japanese Army
TypeInfantry
Size8547[1]
Garrison/HQMobara
Nickname(s)North protection division
Engagementsnone

The 147th Division (第147師団, Dai-hyakuyonjūnana Shidan) was an infantry division of the Imperial Japanese Army. Its call sign was the Hokkaido Protection Division (護北兵団, Koho Heidan). It was formed 28 February 1945 in Asahikawa as a square division. It was a part of the 16 simultaneously created divisions batch numbering from 140th to 160th.

Action[edit]

Initially the 147th division has stayed on Tomakomai positions vacated by 77th Division. After formation of the 147th division was complete, it was assigned to newly created 52nd army and sent to Mobara in Chiba Prefecture.

The 147th division was tasked with the coastal defense. The division did not see any combat until surrender of Japan 15 August 1945 except for air raids.

Shortage of equipment during 147th division formation was severe. Only one of seven men had rifles, with the balance equipped with bamboo spears, and bayonets were forged from the rails of the Asahikawa Electric Railway.[2]

Teiichi Tamura, the commander of the 426th infantry regiment, was executed according to the verdict of the controversial International Military Tribunal for the Far East for his role in the killing of the downed Allied pilot in the course of the Ichinomiya-machi incident.[3]

See also[edit]

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Independent Mixed Brigade
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Infantry Division (including guard divisions)
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Japanese infantry and armored units in Home Islands, 15 August 1945

Notes and references[edit]

  • This article incorporates material from Japanese Wikipedia page 第147師団 (日本軍), accessed 13 July 2016
  • Madej, W. Victor, Japanese Armed Forces Order of Battle, 1937–1945 [2 vols], Allentown, PA: 1981.
  1. ^ "勇払平野の防御陣地". Archived from the original on 14 September 2016. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
  2. ^ 本土決戦の準備の貧弱な実態
  3. ^ 2007年08月14日 私は師団から一杯食ったようだ」と、連隊長が述懐した