Independent Mixed Brigades (Imperial Japanese Army)

Independent Mixed Brigades
独立混成旅団
Active 1937-1945
Country Empire of Japan
Branch Japanese Imperial Army
Type Brigade
Role Garrisoning occupied territories
Size 5,000 to 11,000 troops
Part of IJA divisions
Engagements Second Sino-Japanese War
World War II

The Japanese Imperial Army had Independent Mixed Brigades that were composed of various units detached from other formations, or they independent support units formed together in an independent brigade. An Independent Mixed Brigade had about 5,000 to 11,000 troops.[1]

History

The first two of these Independent Mixed Brigades, formed by the Kwangtung Army in the 1930s was the IJA 1st Independent Mixed Brigade and the IJA 11th Independent Mixed Brigade. Each of these brigades were organized in a unique manner and one of them, the 11th was later formed into the IJA 26th Division.

Later a series of Independent Mixed Brigades were formed for the purpose of garrisoning the large territories of China captured in the early phase of the Second Sino-Japanese War.[1] This variety for China was usually organized with five infantry battalions, an artillery unit, and labor troops. In the Pacific theater they had different and more varied configurations of subordinate units.

List of Independent Mixed Brigades

Kwangtung Army

China and World War II

IJA Independent Mixed Brigades formed for the Second Sino-Japanese War and Second World War:

See also

Bibliography

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Rottman Japanese Army in World War II, The South Pacific and New Guinea, p. 18