6th Air Division (Japan)

The 6th Air Division was a land-based aviation force of the Imperial Japanese Army. It was formed on 25 November 1942, as part of the Eighth Area Army.^[1] It was incorporated into the Fourth Air Army based at Rabaul in June 1943.^[1]

The division moved its headquarters to Wewak on 9 July 1943. After being reduced in men and aircraft due to Allied aerial attacks and bombing missions by 31 May 1944, the division was disbanded in August at Hollandia.^[1]

Commanders

• Lt. General Giichi Itahana (26 Nov 1942 - 1 Apr 1944)^[1]
• Lt. General Masazumi Ineda (1 Apr 1944 - 31 May 1944)^[1]

Organisation

• 11th Sentai (1943)
• 68th Sentai (1943)
• 78th Sentai (1943)
• 13th Sentai (1943)
• 24th Sentai (1943)

Notes

References

• Shindo, Hiroyuki. 2001, Japanese air operations over New Guinea during the Second World War, Journal of the Australian War Memorial.