Military unit
42nd Division (1943)
Parent unit Components
42. Divisional headquarters
42. Infantry brigade group
42. Reconnaissance regiment
12. Field artillery regiment (36 75-mm (mountain?) guns)[ 1]
42. Engineer regiment
42. Transport regiment
42. Signals company
42. Ordnance company
42. Sanitation company
42/1. Field hospital
42/2. Field hospital
42/3. Field hospital
42. Epidemic Prevention and Water Purification Department
42. Veterinary department
42nd Division (July 1945)
Parent unit Components
129. Infantry regiment (Wakamatsu )
130. Infantry regiment (Sendai )
158. Infantry regiment (Yamagata )
42. Reconnaissance regiment
42. Engineer regiment
42. Transport regiment
42. Signals company
42. Ordnance company
42/1. Field hospital
42/2. Field hospital
42/3. Field hospital (soon transferred)
42. Divisional tank unit
5. Independent tank company
6. Independent tank company
42/1. Training infantry company
42/2. Training infantry company
42/3. Training infantry company
The 42nd Division (第42師団 Dai-yonjūni Shidan was an infantry division of the Imperial Japanese Army . Its call sign was the Distinction Division (勲兵団 Isao Heidan .
The Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) 42nd Division was raised as a triangular division (type B , standard) on 1 June 1943 in Sendai , simultaneously with the 43rd , 46th and 47th divisions. It was assigned on 16 March 1944 to the 27th army . Itarkioi and Ketoebone detachments from the 42nd division had engaged in garrison duties at Simushir island (in Kuril Islands ). The 12th field artillery regiment was detached from the 42nd division in May 1944.[ 2]
As the 27th army was abolished 1 February 1945, the 42nd division was transferred to Hokkaido and submitted directly to the 5th area army .
In July 1945, several thousands of personnel were detached to form other military units. While digging in at Wakkanai, Hokkaido to oppose a possible Soviet invasion from Sakhalin across the La Perouse Strait , the 42nd division met the surrender of Japan 15 August 1945 without engaging in any combat, and was disbanded in September 1945.
Independent Mixed Brigade
Infantry Division (including guard divisions)
Independent Armored Brigade
Japanese infantry and armored units in Home Islands, 15 August 1945
See also
Notes and references
Madej, W. Victor. Japanese Armed Forces Order of Battle, 1937-1945 [2 vols] Allentown, PA: 1981
秦郁彦編『日本陸海軍総合事典』第2版、東京大学出版会、2005年。
外山操・森松俊夫編著『帝国陸軍編制総覧』芙蓉書房出版、1987年。
示村貞夫『旭川第七師団』総北海出版部、1984年 
