The Southern Expeditionary Fleet was organized for Invasion of French Indochina on 31 July 1941. Describe the 1st Southern Expeditionary Fleet (第一南遣艦隊, Dai-Ichi Nanken Kantai) also. Their jurisdiction area was French Indochina, Singapore and westward.
Cruiser Kashii, Coast defence ship Shimushu, Minelayer Katsuriki, C.M. Seaplane tender Sagara Maru, 5th Destroyer Division, 9th Base Force, 10th Special Base Force, 11th Special Base Force, 12th Special Base Force, 40th Naval Air Group, 3rd Surveying Unit
1 November 1942
Combined Fleet
Southwest Area Fleet
1st Southern Expeditionary Fleet
Cruiser Kashii, Escort ship Shimushu, Survey ship Katsuriki, C.M. Seaplane tender Sagara Maru, 5th Destroyer Division, 9th Special Base Force, 10th Special Base Force, 11th Special Base Force, 12th Special Base Force, 936th Naval Air Group, 3rd Surveying Unit
15 August 1944
Combined Fleet
Southwest Area Fleet
1st Southern Expeditionary Fleet
Minelayer Yaeyama, Destroyer Amatsukaze 9th Special Base Force, 10th Special Base Force, 11th Special Base Force, 12th Special Base Force, 13th Special Base Force, 15th Base Force, 11th Naval Air Group, 12th Naval Air Group, 13th Naval Air Group, 936th Naval Air Group
Cruiser Myōkō, Takao, Destroyer Amatsukaze, Auxiliary submarine chaser No. 59, 9th Special Base Force, 10th Special Base Force, 11th Special Base Force, 12th Special Base Force, 13th Special Base Force, 15th Base Force
Chief of staff of the 13th Air Fleet Chief of staff of the 10th Area Fleet and 13th Air Fleet
2nd Southern Expeditionary Fleet
The 2nd Southern Expeditionary Fleet (第二南遣艦隊, Dai-Ni Nanken Kantai) was reorganized from 3rd Fleet on 10 March 1942. Describe 3rd Fleet about predecessor of the 2nd Southern Expeditionary Fleet. Their jurisdiction area was Dutch East Indies.
16th Division, 17th Division, 5th Torpedo Division, 6th Submarine Squadron, 12th Air Flotilla, 1st Base Force, 2nd Base Force, 32nd Special Base Force, C.M. Repair ship Yamabiko Maru, C.M. Water supply ship Kōan Maru, C.M. Freighter Senkō Maru
10 March 1942
Combined Fleet
Southwest Area Fleet
2nd Southern Expeditionary Fleet (renamed and reorganized)
Cruiser Ashigara, Minelayer Itsukushima, Survey ship Tsukushi, 16th Division, 2nd Gunboat Division, 21st Special Base Force, 22nd Special Base Force, 23rd Special Base Force, 24th Special Base Force, C.M. Seaplane tender San'yō Maru, 9th Surveying Unit
1 September 1943
Combined Fleet
Southwest Area Fleet
2nd Southern Expeditionary Fleet
Minelayer Itsukushima, Patrol boat No. 102, No. 104, 16th Division, 21st Special Base Force, 22nd Special Base Force, 23rd Special Base Force, 24th Special Base Force, 25th Special Base Force, C.M. Gunboat Ban'yō Maru, Okuyō Maru, Taikō Maru, 934th Naval Air Group
5 February 1945
Combined Fleet
10th Area Fleet
2nd Southern Expeditionary Fleet
Patrol boat No. 102, No. 106, No. 109, 21st Special Base Force, 22nd Special Base Force, 23rd Special Base Force, C.M. Gunboat Ban'yō Maru, 31st Naval Air Group
30th Special Base Force, 31st Special Base Force, 32nd Special Base Force, 33rd Special Base Force, 21st Submarine chaser Division, 955th Naval Air Group
Chief of staff of the Southwest Area Fleet, 13th Air Fleet and commander of the 32nd Special Base Force Chief of staff of the Southwest Area Fleet and 13th Air Fleet Chief of staff of the Southwest Area Fleet
4th Southern Expeditionary Fleet
The 4th Southern Expeditionary Fleet (第四南遣艦隊, Dai-Yon Nanken Kantai) was independent from 2nd Southern Expeditionary Fleet for maintenance of the public order in western New Guinea on 30 November 1943. Dissolved on 10 March 1945, their remaining units were unified to 10th Area Fleet.
Structure (extract)
Date
Highest unit
Higher unit
Lower units, vessels and elements
30 November 1943 (original)
Combined Fleet
Southwest Area Fleet
Minelayer Itsukushima, 24th Special Base Force, 25th Special Base Force, 26th Special Base Force, 934th Naval Air Group
1 March 1945
Combined Fleet
Southwest Area Fleet
25th Special Base Force, 26th Special Base Force, 28th Special Base Force
Vol. 91, Combined Fleet #1, "Until outbreak of war", 1975
Vol. 80, Combined Fleet #2, "Until June 1942", 1975
Vol. 77, Combined Fleet #3, "Until February 1943", 1974
Vol. 39, Combined Fleet #4, "First part of the Third step Operations", 1970
Vol. 71, Combined Fleet #5, "Middle part of the Third step Operations", 1974
Vol. 45, Combined Fleet #6, "Latter part of the Third step Operations", 1971
Vol. 93, Combined Fleet #7, "Last part of the War", 1976
Rekishi Dokuhon, Special issue No. 33 Overview of admirals of the Imperial Japanese Navy, Shin-Jinbutsuōraisha, 1999
The Japanese Modern Historical Manuscripts Association, Organizations, structures and personnel affairs of the Imperial Japanese Army & Navy, University of Tokyo Press, 1971 ISBN978-4-13-036009-8
