Major General Kesao Kijima (木島 袈裟雄 Kijima Kesao) was a senior officer in the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II.[1]
He was the Commanding Officer of the 124th Regiment between 1938 and 1940, before being attached to the 6th Depot Division. Shortly afterwards, he was posted back as the Commanding Officer of the 124th Regiment and served until 1942. Between 1943 and mid 1944 be was the Commanding Officer of the 17th Division. Kijima was then placed in command of the 38th Independent Mixed Brigade of the 17th Army on Bougainville upon its formation in June 1944. The brigade fought at the battle of Pearl Ridge against the Australian advance but was defeated on 1 January 1945 after three days. The retreat of the brigade southwards towards Buin was refused, and it subsequently became isolated at Numa Numa until the cessation of hostilities.
He was authorised to be released from custody on 1 March 1950, after not being charged as a war criminal.[2]