73rd Division (Imperial Japanese Army)

73rd Division
第73師団
Active1944–1945
CountryEmpire of Japan
AllegianceJapanese Thirteenth Area Army
BranchImperial Japanese Army
TypeInfantry
RoleCoastal defense
Nickname(s)Wrath Division
Engagementsnone
Commanders
Notable
commanders		Nonoyama Hidemi (野々山秀美)

The 73rd Division (第79師団, Dai-nanajūsan Shidan) was an infantry division in the Imperial Japanese Army. Its call sign was the Wrath Division (怒兵団, Ikari Heidan). It was created in July 1944 in Nagoya[1] and disbanded 23 September 1945 in Toyohashi. It was a triangular division. The men of the division were drafted through 3rd military district, located in Nagoya.

Action

Initially the division was guarding the coast of Suruga Bay, excluding Chita Peninsula. Later the zone of responsibility was shifted to between Toyohashi and Lake Hamana. After completing the training with the Central District Army, the 73rd division was attached to Japanese Thirteenth Area Army[2] from 1 February 1945. The division spent the time until surrender of Japan 15 August 1945 fortifying in anticipation of the Allied invasion which never came.

Map of Japan
8
8
7
7
5 6
5
6
4
4
3
3
2
2
1
1
4
4
1GD 2GD 3GD
1GD
2GD
3GD
354
354
344
344
322
322
321
321
316
316
312
312
308
308
303
303
234
234
231
231
230
230
229
229
225 355
225
355
224
224
222
222
221
221
216
216
214
214
212
212
209
209
206
206
202
202
201
201
157
157
156
156
155
155
154
154
153
153
152
152
151
151
150
150
147
147
146
146
145
145
144
144
143
143
142
142
140
140
93
93
89
89
86
86
84
84
81
81
77
77
73
73
72
72
57 351
57
351
44
44
42
42
28
28
25
25
11 205
11
205
7
7
64
64
66
66
67
67
95
95
96
96
97
97
98
98
101
101
107
107
109
109
113
113
114
114
115
115
116
116
117
117
118
118
119
119
120
120
121
121
122
122
123
123
124
124
125
125
126
126
Independent Mixed Brigade
Independent Mixed Brigade
Infantry Division (including guard divisions)
Infantry Division (including guard divisions)
Independent Armored Brigade
Independent Armored Brigade
Armored division
Armored division
class=notpageimage|
Japanese infantry and armored units in Home Islands, 15 August 1945

See also

Notes and references

  1. ^ "Japanese Homeland Ground Forces 1 January 1945" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 August 2016. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  2. ^ Japanese Home Island Armies 8 April 1945

This article incorporates material from the article 第73師団 (日本軍) in the Japanese Wikipedia, retrieved on 14 January 2016.

  • Madej, W. Victor. Japanese Armed Forces Order of Battle, 1937-1945 [2 vols] Allentown, PA: 1981
  • Hata Ikuhiko, ed. "日本陸海軍総合事典 第2版" (Comprehensive Encyclopedia of the Imperial Japanese Navy and Army, Second Edition), Tōkyō Daigaku Shuppankai, 2005.
  • Toyama Misao and Morimatsu Toshio, eds. "帝国陸軍編制総覧" (Comprehensive Sourcebook on Imperial Army Units), Fuyōshobō, 1987.
  • 『別冊歴史読本 戦記シリーズNo.32 太平洋戦争師団戦史』 (Special Edition of Rekishi Yomihon: War History Series No.32 – Battle History of Pacific War Divisions), Shin Jinbutsu Ōraisha, 1996.