The Second Area Army (第2方面軍, Dai ni hōmen gun) was a field army of the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II.

Second Area Army
ActiveJuly 4, 1942 - June 13, 1945
CountryEmpire of Japan
BranchImperial Japanese Army
TypeInfantry
RoleField Army
Nickname(s)Ki (, Gleaming)

History

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The Japanese 2nd Area Army was formed on July 4, 1942 under the control of the Kwantung Army as a reserve and garrison force to maintain security and public order in Manchukuo. It was disbanded on June 13, 1945, and its various components were reassigned to other commands.

The 2nd Area Army was transferred to the Davao in the Philippines in late 1943, and tasked with defending western New Guinea and the eastern part of the occupied Netherlands East Indies.

List of Commanders

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Commanding officer

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Name From To
1 General Korechika Anami 1 July 1942 26 December 1944
2 Lieutenant General Jo Iimura 26 December 1944 29 May 1945

Chief of Staff

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Name From To
1 Major General Kane Yoshihara 4 July 1942 9 November 1942
2 Major General Yo Watanabe 9 November 1942 29 October 1943
3 Lieutenant General Takazo Numata 29 October 1943 26 December 1944
4 Major General Ryozo Sakuma 26 December 1944 29 May 1945

References

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  • Jowett, Bernard (1999). The Japanese Army 1931-45 (Volume 2, 1942-45). Osprey Publishing. ISBN 1-84176-354-3.
  • Madej, Victor (1981). Japanese Armed Forces Order of Battle, 1937-1945. Game Publishing Company. ASIN: B000L4CYWW.
  • Marston, Daniel (2005). The Pacific War Companion: From Pearl Harbor to Hiroshima. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 1-84176-882-0.