The 6th Air Division (第六飛行師団, Dai 6 Hikō Shidan) 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]
| 6th Air Division | |
|---|---|
| Active | November 26, 1942 – August 31, 1944 |
| Country |  Empire of Japan |
| Allegiance | Empire of Japan |
| Branch |  Imperial Japanese Army |
| Type | Army aviation unit |
| Role | Fighter, bomber, reconnaissance |
| Part of | 8th Area Army |
| Garrison/HQ | Rabaul, New Britain Wewak, New Guinea |
| Nickname(s) | Abbreviation code: 6FD HQ code: Yō 9301 |
| Engagements | World War II |
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
edit- Lieutenant General Giichi Itahana (26 Nov 1942 - 1 Apr 1944)[1]
- Major General Masazumi Inada (1 Apr 1944 - 31 May 1944)[1]
Organisation
edit- 11th Hikō Sentai (1943)
- 68th Hikō Sentai (1943)
- 78th Hikō Sentai (1943)
- 13th Hikō Sentai (1943)
- 24th Hikō Sentai (1943)
See also
editNotes and references
edit- ^ a b c d e "6. Division (Japan)". Axis History Factbook. Archived from the original on 6 June 2011. Retrieved 3 January 2011.
- Shindo, Hiroyuki. 2001, Japanese air operations over New Guinea during the Second World War, Journal of the Australian War Memorial.
- Rekishi Dokuhon, Document of the war No. 42 Overview of Imperial Japanese Army Units, Shin-Jinbutsuoraisha Co., Ltd., Tōkyō, Japan, 1998, ISBN 4-404-02639-0.