126th Infantry

[john whitman]

To all:

The 126th Infantry Regiment was the infantry component of the 68th Brigade. There is a lot of information about the 68th Brigade on the internet, but there is very little about the 126th Infantry Regiment.

One source said that there were only two infantry battalions in the regiment.

I am interested in how the 126th Infantry was created, from what source came the men and equipment? Here are three possibilities.

The regiment was created with men and equipment drawn from numerous units in Manchuria.

The regiment was created from the normal replacement flow of men and equipment from Japan to Manchuria.

The regiment was created from companies and battalions created in Japan and sent to Manchuria.

Thanks for the help.

John

[hisashi]

Hi John,

Gongzhuling is a city in ex-Manchuria, and in Japanese pronunciation Koshurei.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gongzhuling

IJA established there Rikugun Koshurei Gakko (Army Koshurei School) in Aug 1939. At first it was intended for a combined battle (tank, infantry and artillery) research & education school. But the mission of school gradually changed.

They maintained one infantry regiment, three artillery battery and a tank company, filled by young soldiers. One mission of the school was officers' command training. Newly promoted officers in Kwantung Army practiced there to command a real troop. Another mission was to research vs. Soviet fortification combat. After the Pacific Wae began they must have had newer research topics but I don't know.

In Jun 1944 suddenly they received an order to form 68th brigade with all the troops attached to the school. The 126th regiment was converted from 'exercise 1st regiment (教導第1連隊)'. At first they had only two battalions. In Taiwan, Sep 1944, they received personnel from other divisions (50D, 66D) in Taiwan to form third battalion.

Source:
http://www2u.biglobe.ne.jp/~surplus/tokushu40.htm

[john whitman]

Hello hisashi:

Thanks for this nice review of the 126th Infantry. I had seen the source you mentioned, but I had difficulties with the translation.

The information about gaining more soldiers at Taiwan and creating a third battalion was interesting. You mentioned that at one point the 1st Exercise Regiment 教導第1連隊 included a tank company. Did the tanks accompany the 126th Infantry when they sailed to Taiwan and later to the Philippines?

John

[Akira Takizawa]

Tank company was not included in 1st Exercise Infantry Regiment (Not 1st Exercise Regiment). It was Exercise Tank Unit of Rikugun Koshurei Gakko, one of Rikugun Koshurei Gakko exercise units as well as Exercise Infantry Regiment. 68th Brigade was formed at Rikugun Koshurei Gakko, but tanks were not inlcuded in 68th Brigade.

Taki

[john whitman]

Good evening Taki:

Thanks for correcting the name of the regiment. And thanks for the information about the tanks.

John