Marcus Island (Minami-Tori-Shima) — 1941/42

[Leo Niehorster]

Greetings,

How was Marcus Island (Minami-Tori-Shima) organized? Was it a Navy or an Army command?

1/ Were there any Navy or Army land units on Marcus Island in December 1941?

2/ Any Navy or Army air units?

3/ When did the Navy's Minami-Tori-Shima Guard Unit and the Army's 12th Independent Mixed Regiment arrive?

4/ What was the military hierarchy of these units? To which headquarters did they report? Fleet / Army / ... ?

As always, thanks for your time and attention.

Leo

[Wellgunde]

Marcus island, known in Japan as 南鳥島 ( Minami tori shima [southern bird island]) was garrisoned prior to the start of the war by approximately 350 men of the Minami Tori Guard unit (keibitai). This was gradually increased over the next three years to about 750 men. Imperial General Headquarters decided in 1943 that the garrison needed to be strengthened. The Army’s position was that the island was the responsibility of the Navy, however, a lack of Naval troops led to the addition later that year of the 12th Independent Mixed Regiment of approximately 2000 men originally under Col SAKATA Yoshishi (also seen as Yoshiichi).
There was an airfield with two runways on the island; no air unit was ever permanently stationed there.

At the time of the surrender, the forces were organized as follows:
Navy forces
Minami Tori Shima Guard Force
Commander Radm MATSUBARA Masata
Xo Cdr NAKAMURA Torahiko
---2nd unit LCDR YAZAWA Chikato
---3rd unit Lt MACHIDA yoshiaki
---4th unit Lt YODS Yuji
---5th unit Lt YATOH Jukichi
---6th unit LTJG SUMITARO Masaru
---7th unit LTJG GOTO Hideo
---8th unit ENS YANAGISAWA Kiota
---9th unit LT AKAGI Koan
---10th unit ENS YAMADA Kiichi
---11th unit LT YANAGIMURA Kanzo
---12th unit LCDR MORIDE Kamokichi
---13th unit WO SAKAMOTO Iwaki
---14th unit LT MIYAZAWA Toru
---15th unit LT MORI Takashi
---Construction unit LTJG OKAMOTO Yoshio
Note: the source document does not differentiate between the types of “unit”, however, they almost certainly included a medical unit, an anti-aircraft unit (3 guns), one shore battery, a communications unit, a meteorological section, a 1st Lieutenant's Department, and an intendance unit. There was no "First Unit" listed. Presumably, the First Unit was the Headquarters Staff. The units varied in size from around ten men to over a hundred. The majority of the units were ground defense companies. The Construction unit was composed mostly of civilians (koin). Circumstantial evidence suggests that the island garrison may have been subordinate to the Yokosuka Naval District.
Army Troops
12th Independent Mixed Regiment
Commander Col SEO Junzo (SAKATA had died)-reported to MATSUBARA
Xo Capt MIYAKE Jiro
---1st Battalion LtCol YOSHIHARA Hideo
---Xo Capt TANIHARA Kashio
------1st Company Capt KAMIMURA Hiroshi
------2nd Company Capt ARASE Magoichi
------3rd Company Capt YOSHIDA Suegi
---2nd Battalion Maj TOYONO Chokichi
---Xo Capt HIROSHIGE Mitso
------4th Company Capt Uchiyama Satoski
------5th Company Capt KADOKI Takei
------6th Company Capt HIRONO Masao
---3rd Battalion Maj HASHIMOTO Tetsujiro
---Xo Capt MIO Noburu
------7th Company Capt FUJISAKA Masao
------8th Company Capt WADA Giro
------9th Company Capt IWAMOTO Tatsuo
---Artillery unit Capt KISAKA Isao
---Signal Unit 1st Lt MIMAKI Kamezo
---Tank Unit Capt TANAKA Kenji (type(s) and numbers of tanks not specified)

Needless to say, further elucidation, particularly by our Japanese correspondents, would be much appreciated.

Wellgunde

[Akira Takizawa]

---Tank Unit Capt TANAKA Kenji (type(s) and numbers of tanks not specified)

It had 9 Type 95 Light Tanks.
http://www3.plala.or.jp/takihome/newfolder/Marcus.jpg

Taki

[Leo Niehorster]

Thank you, Wellgunde,

For any other respondent,

Regarding 1941/42:
— to which headquarters (Fleet, Base Force, ...) did the Minami Tori Guard Unit belong?
— Commander?
— Any seaplanes?

Cheers
Leo

[hisashi]

Matsubara Masata was appointed to Minami Torishima Keibitai CO in 10 Apr 1943. In 1935 and 1936 IJN built weather report station and an airfield there and a group of ground crew was there (probably a branch from Chichijima NAG in the beginning of war). So it is possible Minami Torishima Keibitai, including battleworthy elements, came after the beginning of war.

Anyway, Minami Torishima Keibitai reported to Chichijima special base force (reorganized from 7th base force), and Chichijima SBF reported to Yokosuka naval district.

In army order of battle, after 109th division was (re)raised in May 1944 in Iwojima, a unit 'Ogasawara Heidan' concurrently went under Kuribayashi, 109th division commander. One purpose of this nominal unit is to let all navy unit in Iwojima be included in this unit as 109th division was, to clarify Kuribayashi commanded all. Moreover, a few atolls nearby, including Minami Torishima Keibitai, would be directed by Kuribayashi as a part of Ogasawara Heidan.

So from May 1944 to Feb 1945, Matsubara(navy) was the boss of all troops in Minami Torishima, but on ground fighting he reported to Kuribayashi, the CO of Ogasawara Heidan. On navy issues Matsubara reported to RAdm Mori Kunizo, Chichijima special base force CO(Feb 1944-end of war).

[Wellgunde]

Thank you Taki and Hisashi

for Leo: Seaplanes were never operated from Marcus because there was no suitable anchorage for them. It is also likely that access to the island would have been blocked by the reef.

During April 1942, the Marcus island Detachment (consisting of 15 planes from the Misawa Air Group and the 6th Air Group) operated from Marcus. The Marcus Island Detachment was under the command of the Land Based Air Force (Rear Admiral Yamagata, 26th Air Flotilla) which in turn was assigned to the Northern Force (Vice Admiral) Hosogaya, CINC 5th Fleet).

One source states that the tank unit was a company from the 16th Tank Unit.

Another source discusses the transfer of the 2nd South Seas Garrison Unit to Marcus. Were the 2nd South Seas Garrison Unit and the 12th Independent Mixed Regiment the same organization?

[Wellgunde]

The following is also of interest:
Navy Directive No. 220
14 Apr 43
Directive to: Koga, Commandant, Yokosuka Naval District
---1. The 2nd Nankai Defense Unit is to be placed under the command of the Commandant of Yokosuka Naval District upon departure from the port in Japan proper.
---2. The Commandant of the Yokosuka Naval District will assign the foregoing unit for defense of Marcus Island.
Chief of the Naval General Staff
NAGANO Osami

[Akira Takizawa]

> One source states that the tank unit was a company from the 16th Tank Unit.

It was from 16th Tank Regiment. 16th Tank Regiment was sent to Wake. But, one company could not reach Wake and stopped at Marcus.

> Another source discusses the transfer of the 2nd South Seas Garrison Unit to Marcus. Were the 2nd South Seas Garrison Unit and the 12th Independent Mixed Regiment the same organization?

No. 12th Independent Mixed Regiment was formed from 2nd South Seas Garrison Unit, 5th Independent Mixed Regiment(one battalion and one artillry battery only) and one company of 16th Tank Regiment which were existing on Marcus.

Taki

[Wellgunde]

Thank you, Taki

[Leo Niehorster]

Thank you so far, gentlemen.

So, for the December 1941:
— there was the Minami Tori Guard unit [Note 1] (approximately 350 men), including ground crews from the Chichijima NAG.
— no aircraft permanently stationed on the island.
— it was subordinate to the 7th Base Force, 5th Fleet.
— unknown naval officer in command.

By April 1942, (presumably after Halsey's TF 16 shelled Marcus Island),
— some 15 land-based aircraft of unknown type, (from the Misawa and the 6th Naval Air Groups), were stationed there, under the newly raised 26th Air Flotilla.

(I have an note on my old card index that in June 1942 in connection with the Midway Operation, search planes operated from Marcus Island.)

[Note 1] Was the shima added to the designation of the Minami-Tori-Shima Guard Unit ?

Cheers
Leo

[Wellgunde]

Hello, Leo,

— it was subordinate to the 7th Base Force, 5th Fleet.

I think the jury is still out on this.

— By April 1942, (presumably after Halsey's TF 16 shelled Marcus Island),
— some 15 land-based aircraft of unknown type, (from the Misawa and the 6th Naval Air Groups), were stationed there, under the newly raised 26th Air Flotilla.

Temporary, and probably withdrawn after the failure of the Midway operation.

— [Note 1] Was the shima added to the designation of the Minami-Tori-Shima Guard Unit ?

Yes.

[Wellgunde]

When Matsubara assumed command at Marcus, he was a captain.

Navy Jirei No. 1090 dated 10 April 1943
Capt MATSUBARA Masata (mustered) CO Yatabe Naval Air Group: appointed CO Minami Tori Shima Guard Unit.

[Leo Niehorster]

Thanks again
Cheers
Leo

[Wellgunde]

The following are extracts from a 36 page Situation Report submitted by Colonel SAKATA Zenichi, Commander of Army Troops on Marcus Island, dated 6 April 1944:

Chapter 1. General Remarks

“Consequently, in October 1941 about 50 men of a Naval Guard Unit landed on here and were followed in December 1941 by 300 more men [of the same unit], and are presently guarding the island. But in May 1943, the island was strengthened further and the South Seas Garrison Unit (about 600 men under a LtCol) was added to its defenses.”

“However, in accordance with IGHQ Army Section Order 889 of 2 November 1943, the following forces were added:
5th Independent Mixed Regiment (less 1st and 2nd Battalions) and Field Artillery Battalion (less 3rd Company), Engineer Company, and Medical Unit; One-half of 16th Tank Regiment. Of these forces, the 5th Independent Mixed Regiment HQ, 3rd Field Artillery Company, and tank unit landed on this Island on 2 March 1944 but the 3rd Battalion is still in Japan under command of the 5th Depot Division CO.”

“Present strengths:
[Army Troops]
5th IMR Commander Col SAKATA Zenichi
-----Hq under command of a Lt Col (201) including a Signals Section (99)
-----3rd Field Artillery Company (146)
-----Total 348 personnel
2nd South Seas Garrison Unit
-----2 Ordinary Companies, 1 MG Company, and 1 AT Company 577 personnel under a Lt Col
2nd Co, 16th Tank Regiment
-----16 tanks, 63 personnel under a Captain
One half of maintenance company, 16th Tank Regiment
-----45 personnel under a 1st Lieutenant
Grand Total 1076 Army Personnel

[Navy Troops]
Naval Guard Unit
-----Commander, Rear Admiral MATSUBARA Masata
-----842 Personnel
Naval Air Group, Yokosuka Detachment, CO Ensign MAKANO [or NAKANO]
-----188 Personnel plus 9 workers
Naval Engineering Department Co Lt(jg) OSHIMA-----382 personnel plus 140 workers
Naval Ordnance Department Co Lt(jg) HIJITAKA
-----86 personnel”
Grand Total 1498 Navy Personnel plus 149 Civilian Workers

Chapter 2. Chain of Command
"Up to the time of departure from a port in Japan the Army forces had been under the command of the Hiroshima Division Commander, but upon departure they entered under command of the Eastern District Army Commander. Further, they came under the command of the Commander-in-Chief, Yokosuka Naval District and under the [immediate] command of the Marcus Island Guard Commander. In acordance with orders, the functions of the Army Forces on this island are under a unified command [he is referring only to his own unit, the 5th IMR]. But the 2nd South Seas Garrison Unit and the Tank Unit (even the tank unit has two separate co’s) are separately under the command of the Eastern District Army. On 4 March 1944, the army forces had been released from the command of the CinC Yokosuka Naval District and they came under the command of the 31st Army Command on 10 March. However, they receive orders directly from the Central Pacific Fleet Commander. The matter is indeed complex… [Goes on to discuss “right of command” and resolves to improve fighting strength both mentally and physically and ends up requesting a unified command structure]. It is earnestly desired that reorganization be effected immediately."

Chapter 6. Discipline and Conduct

"The five units of the Independent Army Forces, which have no command relationship, are under command of the Naval Guard Unit. Moreover, there are two units of the Naval Air Group which differ in command, as well as the Civil Engineer and the Engineering Section under the direct command of the Central Headquarters. Their composition is very complex. [SAKATA is complaining that the chain of command problems affect morale]"

Chapter 8 Intendance (Supply)

“Since there are no local resources on this island, at present in the main supplies are sent from the Naval Stores Department. In addition to pay and clothing, the Navy is in charge of quarters, provisions, rations, canteen and water supply.”

[Leo Niehorster]

Thanks again. I am continually amazed at the depth of research skills I encounter here.
All the best
Leo