Oui Column in Aug. 1937 Operation Chahar?

[Akira Takizawa]

Is there any info on what engagements the Ohizumi Detachment (大泉支隊) had on its operation? Supposedly there were some Chinese forces blocking its way across the Great Wall between Guyuan (沽源) and Xuanhua (宣化).

Senshi Sosho only stated that they advanced to Xuanhua eliminating enemy resistance. There seems no serious resistance in their march.

Taki

[asiaticus]

Hmm. Interesting dicotomy between the Chinese and Japanese accounts of this unit. I wonder if we have creative reporting to the Chinese higher ups, to cover a blunder that left a gap in the defense of the Great Wall in that sector.

Thanks again Taki.

[Leonard]

Taki

According to the Japanese Monograph,the 2nd Mixed Brigade (2MB) was detached from the 1st Division, detachment from the 2nd Division was the 15th Mixed Brigade (15MB). This Ohizumi Detachment (大泉支隊) appears to be from the 15MB. The 2MB didn't seem to have been involved.

[Leonard]

BTW, the Manchukuoan units involved should be either 24th, 25th , or 26th Mixed Brigade.

[Akira Takizawa]

> This Ohizumi Detachment (大泉支隊) appears to be from the 15MB.

No. Both were formed at 2nd Division. But, they are different units.

> The 2MB didn't seem to have been involved.

It participated. See the map which I uploaded before. 2iB means 2MB.

Taki

[Leonard]

Taki,

According to my research:
2D was composed of 3iB and 15iB, so when 15iB is detached, it is called 15MB. 3iB was detached later to fight in Suchow Campaign and was named 3MB. There was also the 13MB (13iB from 7D) involved in Suchow Campaign.

1D was composed of 1iB and 2iB, so when 2iB is detached, it is called 2MB.

It seems like this was the IJA practice at the time, so that when a brigade was detached from its parent division, it was renamed a mixed brigade of the same number (possibly because some artillery, and recon units of the division were also to become part of this mixed brigade), no?

[Akira Takizawa]

It seems like this was the IJA practice at the time, so that when a brigade was detached from its parent division, it was renamed a mixed brigade of the same number (possibly because some artillery, and recon units of the division were also to become part of this mixed brigade), no?

Yes, your understanding is right.

Taki