The was an infantry division in the Imperial Japanese Army. Its
call sign
In broadcasting and radio communications, a call sign (also known as a call name or call letters—and historically as a call signal—or abbreviated as a call) is a unique identifier for a transmitter station. A call sign can be formally assign ...
was the . It was created 4 April 1944 in
Kurume
is a city in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. As of June 1, 2019, the city has an estimated population of 303,579 and a population density of 1,320 persons per km². The total area is 229.96 km².
On February 5, 2005, the town of Kitano (from ...
, simultaneously with the
44th and
81st divisions. It was a
triangular division A triangular division is a designation given to the way military divisions are organized. In a triangular organization, the division's main body is composed of three regimental maneuver elements. These regiments may be controlled by a brigade hea ...
. The divisional backbone was the
56th division headquarters.
Action
The ''86th division'' was assigned to the
Western District Army upon formation, and garrisoned
Miyakonojō
is a city in Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan. The city was founded on April 1, 1924. As of June 1, 2019, the city has an estimated population of 161,137, with 70,549 households and a population density of 247 per km2. The total area is 653.36 km2 ...
. It was transferred to
57th army and tasked with the coastal defense of
Shibushi, Kagoshima
is a city located in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. As of October 31, 2021, the city has an estimated population of 30,231, with 15,366 households and a population density of 104 persons per km2. The total area is 290.28 km2.
The modern city ...
a year later, 8 April 1945.
Because
Operation Downfall was never implemented, the ''86th division'' has spent time until
surrender of Japan 15 August 1945 fortifying positions without seeing an actual combat.
References and further reading
*
List of Japanese Infantry Divisions
* Madej, W. Victor. ''Japanese Armed Forces Order of Battle, 1937-1945''
volsAllentown, PA: 1981
This article incorporates material from the article
第86師団 (日本軍) in the Japanese Wikipedia, retrieved on 21 June 2016.
Japanese World War II divisions
Infantry divisions of Japan
Military units and formations established in 1944
Military units and formations disestablished in 1945
1944 establishments in Japan
1945 disestablishments in Japan
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