119th Division (Imperial Japanese Army)

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119th Division
第119師団
Active1944–1945
CountryEmpire of Japan Empire of Japan
Allegiance4th army
BranchImperial Japanese Army
TypeInfantry
Garrison/HQHailar
Nickname(s)Slaughter division
EngagementsSoviet invasion of Manchuria

The 119th Division (第119師団, Dai-hyakujūkyū Shidan) was an infantry division of the Imperial Japanese Army. Its call sign was the Slaughter Division (宰兵団, Sai Heidan). It was formed 10 November 1944 in Heilongjiang as a triangular division. The nucleus for the formation was the leftovers of 23rd division and the 8th borders guards garrison. The division was initially assigned to the 6th army.

Action[edit]

Initially the 119th division was garrisoning a Hailar, but 25 January 1945 was reassigned to 4th army without changing a location.

During Soviet invasion of Manchuria the 119th division has surrendered 16 August 1945 and was disarmed by 3 September 1945. The last soldiers taking prisoner by Red Army were returned to Japan in 1968.[1]

See also[edit]

Notes and references[edit]

  • This article incorporates material from Japanese Wikipedia page 第119師団 (日本軍), accessed 28 June 2016
  • Madej, W. Victor, Japanese Armed Forces Order of Battle, 1937–1945 [2 vols], Allentown, PA: 1981.