Japanese Military Strategies in 1942 - July Mobilizations

July Mobilizations

On July 4, 1942, IGHQ ordered the following units activated:

• First Area Army (commanded by Lieutenant General Tomoyuki Yamashita, with headquarters at Mutanchiang).
• Second Area Army (commanded by Lieutenant General Korechika Anami,with headquarters at Tsitsihar).
• Second Army (commanded by Lieutenant General Yoshio Kozuki, with headquarters at Yenchi).
• Mechanized Army (commanded by Lieutenant General Shin Yoshida, with headquarters at Ssupingchieh).
• Homeland Area: Activate the 52nd Division. (This could not be accomplished.)
• Air Force: Set up Third Air Army Headquarters in the southern region, with about five air groups. This headquarters is to control air defense operations in key areas on Sumatra and Java, as well as handle offensive actions overseas against India and China. The order of battle of the Third Air Army was issued on July 10, 1942. Lieutenant General Hideyoshi Obata was the commander, with headquarters at Singapore. On June 29, 1942, IGHQ issued a set of orders to General Hisaichi Terauchi, commanding the Southern Army. The essentials follow:

To win the war, IGHQ needed stability in vital portions of the southern regions, and the establishment of self-sufficient, impregnable foundations. Operations, moreover, was to be prepared in conformity with all possible eventualities. In conjunction with the Navy, the Army Commander should endeavor to stabilize important regions in the south, and to prepare Outer Perimeter operations based upon the below-cited precepts:

• Burma, Malaya, Sumatra, Java, (British) Borneo: The Army should seek to complete the defense of these areas, and to extend military administration throughout.
• Thailand, Indo-China: The Army will co-operate with the authorities in their defense.
• Pressure upon Chungking will be applied from the directions of Burma, Indo-China, and Thailand.
• Offensive aerial operations will be undertaken against India and China.

IGHQ also directed the Southern Army to undertake a number of measures:

• Set up air bases in French Indo-China, Thailand, Burma, Malaya,

Sumatra, Java, and the Philippines. Singapore will be the hub.

• Expand facilities for supply and for the repair of aircraft.
• Intensify local self-sufficiency to decrease supply requirements on the homeland.