| Eighteenth Area Army | |
|---|---|
 Japanese troops in Burma | |
| Active | January 4, 1943 - August 15, 1945 |
| Country | Empire of Japan |
| Branch | Imperial Japanese Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Field Army |
| Garrison/HQ | Bangkok |
| Nickname(s) | 義 (Gi = “righteous”) |
The Eighteenth Area Army (第18方面軍, Dai jyūhachi hōmen gun) was a field army of the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II.
History
The 18th Area Army was originally formed on January 4, 1943, as the Thailand Garrison Command (泰国駐屯軍司令官, Tai-koku Chūtongun shirebu). It was renamed the Thirty-ninth Army on December 14, 1944, and became the 18th Area Army on July 7, 1945, shortly before the end of the Pacific War.[1]
The 18th Area Army was under the control of the Southern Expeditionary Army Group as a military reserve and garrison force, ostensibly to help defend the Empire of Japan's nominal ally, the Kingdom of Thailand against possible invasion by the Allies, but in more practical terms, it was present to ensure that Thailand remained an ally to Japan. It was headquartered in Bangkok.
The 18th Area Army was demobilized in Bangkok at the surrender of Japan on August 15, 1945, without having seen combat.
List of Commanders
Commanding officer
| Name | From | To | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lieutenant General Aketo Nakamura | 4 January 1943 | 20 December 1944 | Siam Garrison Army |
| x | Lieutenant General Aketo Nakamura | 20 December 1944 | 14 July 1945 | Japanese 39th Army |
| x | Lieutenant General Aketo Nakamura | 14 July 1945 | 15 August 1945 | 18th Area Army |
Chief of Staff
| Name | From | To | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Major General Seiji Moriya | 4 January 1943 | 21 January 1943 | Siam Garrison Army |
| 2 | Major General Kunitaro Yamada | 21 January 1943 | 22 November 1944 | Siam Garrison Army |
| 3 | Major General Hitoshi Hamada | 22 November 1944 | 20 December 1944 | Siam Garrison Army |
| 1 | Major General Hitoshi Hamada | 20 December 1944 | 9 July 1945 | Japanese 39th Army |
| 2 | Major General Tadashi Hanaya | 9 July 1945 | 14 July 1945 | Japanese 39th Army |
| 1 | Major General Tadashi Hanaya | 14 July 1945 | 15 August 1945 | Japanese 18th Area Army |
Notes
- ↑ Madej, Japanese Armed Forces Order of Battle, 1937-1945
References
- Latimer, Jon (2004). Burma: The Forgotten War. London: John Murray. ISBN 978-0-7195-6576-2.
- Madej, Victor (1981). Japanese Armed Forces Order of Battle, 1937-1945. Game Publishing Company. ASIN: B000L4CYWW.
External links
- Wendel, Marcus. "Axis History Factbook". Japanese 18th Area Army.