Second Air Army (Japan)

The Japanese Second Air Army (第2航空軍, Kōkū gun) was formed on 23 July 1942 and headquartered at Xinjing.

History

In June 1942 (Showa 17), the Kwantung Army's air corps was reorganized and organized, and was responsible for air defense in Manchuria. Initially, the 2nd and 4th Flight Divisions were subordinated, but due to the reorganization on May 12, 1944, both divisions were transferred to the south.

In August 1945 (Showa 20) the war ended while the 2nd Air Army was engaged in fighting with the Soviet Union.

Overview

Commanders

Lieutenant General Yorimichi Suzuki - 1 June 1942 to 18 May 1943
Lieutenant General Torashirō Kawabe - 19 May 1943 to 7 August 1944
Lieutenant General Giichi Itahana - 8 August 1944 to 1 June 1945
Lieutenant General Uichiro Harada - 1 June 1945 until war's end

Chief of Staff

Maj. Gen. Tetsukuma Fujimoto - 1 June 1942
Maj. Gen. Kawakami - 19 May 1943
Maj. Gen. Yoshinaga Park - 20 June 1944
Maj. Gen. Furuya Kenzo - 16 July 1945

Final HQ composition

Colonel Eiichi Fukai
Lieutenant Colonel Katsuo Sato (Strategy)
Major Tsuruyoshi Shuto (rear)
Major Ryo Fujita (Information)
Major Kiyotoshi Goto
Major Arimori Genji
Major Keiichi Yamada
Senior Adjutant General: Colonel Kiyoshi Furukawa
Weapons Director: Colonel Masao Hasegawa
Accounting Manager: Tadao Yamaguchi, Colonel
Surgeon Director: Maj. Gen. Miyoshi
Special Information Manager: Lieutenant Colonel Ryuichi Asami

Final units

Independent 15th Squadron: Maj. Gen. Imakawa
Flight 104th Squadron
2nd Aviation District Command
14th Aviation District Command
28th Aviation District Command
57th Aviation District Command
58th Aviation District Command
Independent 101st Education Wing: Maj. Gen. Mitsuyuki Shikata
2nd Air Army 1st Education Corps
2nd Aviation Regiment
8th Aviation Regiment
3rd Aviation Information Regiment
11th Aviation Information Regiment
5th Aerial Spotting Corps
12th Aerial Spotting Corps
8th Aerial Spotting Corps
2nd Civilian Aerial Spotting Corps
4th Air Route
2nd Meteorological Regiment
Kwantung Army Aviation Factory: Maj. Gen. Taki Noboru
9th Field War Aviation Repair Factory
10th Field War Aviation Repair Factory
11th Field War Aviation Repair Factory
12th Field War Aviation Repair Factory
Field 8 Air Supply Depot
9th Field Battle Air Supply Depot
11th Field Battle Air Supply Depot

References

Ikuhiko Hata ed., "The Japanese army and navy comprehensive encyclopedia," second edition, University of Tokyo Press, 2005
Misao Toyama and Toshio Morimatsu, "Imperial Army Organization Overview", Fuyo Shobo Publishing Co., Ltd., 1987
Jiro Kimata "The Complete History of the Army Air Corps" Air War History Series 90, Asahi Sonorama, 1987
National Institute for Defense Studies War History Room "Army Aviation Arms and Operations (3) Until the End of the Greater East Asia War" Asagumo Shinbunsha < Senshi Sosho >, 1976