Seeking information on the following Japanese Field Marshals:
- Shunroku Hata
- Kotohito Kanin
- Hajime Sugiyama
- Hisaichi Terauchi
Any assistance would be most appreciated, especially dates of rank and postwar fates.
Japanese Field Marshals
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Ken McCanliss
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Steen Ammentorp
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Hi Ken,
Hata Shunroku was promoted Field Marshal in June 1943. Following the war he was arrested as a Class A war criminal and tried by the International Tribunal for the Far East, Tokyo, 26 April 1946 – 12 November 1948. He was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment. He died in 1962. I’m not sure whether he was still in prison, when he died.
I’m not sure when Prince Kanin Kotohito was promoted Field Marshal, only that he was the youngest to receive that rank. It could be around the time he became chief of the general staff in 1932, but it’s a guess. According to Fuller (1991), he is said to have died of haemorrhoids in 1945.
Sugiyama Gen was also promoted to Field Marshal in June 1943. He committed suicide after the surrender in September 1945.
Like the other two Count Terauchi Hisaichi was promoted Field Marshal in June 1943. He died of cerebral haemorrhage (second stroke) on 12 June 1946.
Source: Richard Fuller: Shokan Hirohito’s Samurai : Leaders of the Japanese Armed Forces, 1926-1945.
Kind Regards
Steen Ammentorp
The Generals of World War II
Hata Shunroku was promoted Field Marshal in June 1943. Following the war he was arrested as a Class A war criminal and tried by the International Tribunal for the Far East, Tokyo, 26 April 1946 – 12 November 1948. He was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment. He died in 1962. I’m not sure whether he was still in prison, when he died.
I’m not sure when Prince Kanin Kotohito was promoted Field Marshal, only that he was the youngest to receive that rank. It could be around the time he became chief of the general staff in 1932, but it’s a guess. According to Fuller (1991), he is said to have died of haemorrhoids in 1945.
Sugiyama Gen was also promoted to Field Marshal in June 1943. He committed suicide after the surrender in September 1945.
Like the other two Count Terauchi Hisaichi was promoted Field Marshal in June 1943. He died of cerebral haemorrhage (second stroke) on 12 June 1946.
Source: Richard Fuller: Shokan Hirohito’s Samurai : Leaders of the Japanese Armed Forces, 1926-1945.
Kind Regards
Steen Ammentorp
The Generals of World War II
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Ken McCanliss
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Japanese Field Marshals
Great info, Steen - thanks! Love your site, too.
Also, thanks for the tip on the Fuller book; it is now at the top of my "want list".
Also, thanks for the tip on the Fuller book; it is now at the top of my "want list".
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Steen Ammentorp
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Thank you. Kind remarks.
Only glad to be of service.
Kind Regards
Steen Ammentorp
The Generals of World War II
Only glad to be of service.
Kind Regards
Steen Ammentorp
The Generals of World War II
Re: Japanese Field Marshals
Hello to all 
; a little complement.........................
General Sugiyama Gen.
A picture from the time he was the Japanese Minister of War.
Source: Life Magazine 26 Jul 1937.
Cheers. Raúl M
.
; a little complement.........................General Sugiyama Gen.
A picture from the time he was the Japanese Minister of War.
Source: Life Magazine 26 Jul 1937.
Cheers. Raúl M
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Peter James
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Re: Japanese Field Marshals
KANIN, Kotohito, Prince
Born, 10 November 1865. Died, 20 May 1945. Imperial Prince. 16th son of Imperial Prince Fushimi, Kuniye. Adopted by Emperor Komei, thereby becoming the brother of Emperor Meiji. Commenced Buddhist monk training, 1868 to January 1872. Created Prince Kanin, January 1872. Graduated from the Military Academy, 1881. Commissioned: 2nd Lieutenant, 1881. Promoted: Lieutenant, Cavalry, 18 August 1887; Captain, 3 November 1892; Major, 3 November 1894; Lieutenant-Colonel, 3 November 1897; Colonel, Cavalry, 3 November 1899; Major-General, 3 November 1901; Lieutenant-General, 3 November 1904; General, 27 November 1912; Field Marshal, 12 December 1919, transferred to the Retired List, 3 October 1940. Studied in France (attended Saint Cyr Military Academy and Saumur Cavalry School, and attached to 7th Light Cavalry Regiment), September 1882 to July 1891. Instructor at the Military Academy, 24 October 1891 to 19 July 1893. Graduated from the Army Staff College, 1894. Attached to 1st Army Headquarters (Sino-Japanese War), September 1894 to 3 November 1894. Attached to 1st Cavalry Battalion (Sino-Japanese War), 3 November 1894 to 20 November 1896. Commander, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 3 November 1897 to 28 October 1899. Trip to Europe, 28 October 1899 to 3 September 1900. Commander, 2nd Cavalry Brigade, 3 November 1901 to 21 September 1904. Staff Officer, Manchurian Armies Headquarters (Russo-Japanese War), 21 September 1904 to 8 May 1905. Attached to Imperial Headquarters, 8 May 1905 to 20 December 1905. Attached to Army General Staff, 20 December 1905 to 3 February 1906. Commander, 1st Division, 3 February 1906 to 6 September 1911. Commander, Imperial Guards Division, 6 September 1911 to 27 November 1912. Head of Special Military Mission to Russia, August to October 1916. Accompanied Crown Prince Hirohito on trip to Europe, 3 March 1921 to 3 September 1921. Protocol Officer, 27 October 1923. Chief of the Army General Staff, 23 December 1931 to 3 October 1940. Member of the Supreme War Council, 27 November 1912 to 1 September 1945. Court Cane Hisamoto, 15 January 1944. Accorded a State Funeral, 18 June 1945. National decorations: Collar of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum, 24 September 1921; Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum, 18 August 1887; Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun, with Paulownia, 1880; Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure; Order of the Golden Kite, 1st Class, 4 April 1942; Order of the Golden Kite, 2nd Class, 1 April 1906; Order of the Golden Kite, 4th Class, 20 November 1895. Foreign decorations (partial list): Grand Cross of the Order of St Stephen (Austria-Hungary) 1900; Grand Cordon of the Order of Leopold, military (Belgium), 28 April 1900; Grand Cordon of the Order of Mohamed Ali (Egypt), 1921; Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour (France), 16 July 1895; Collar of the Order of the Annunziata (Italy), 1900; Grand Cross of the Order of St Maurice and St Lazarus (Italy), 1900; Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown of Italy (Italy), 1900; Grand Cordon of the Order of the Orchid Blossom (Manchukuo), 1935; Grand Cross of the Order of the Netherlands Lion (Netherlands), 18 June 1921; Grand Cross of the Order of the Red Eagle, with Diamonds (Prussia); Order of Merit of the Crown of Prussia, with Swords (Prussia), 22 March 1906; Knight of the Order of St Andrew (Russia), 1916; Knight of the Order of St Alexander Nevsky (Russia); Knight of the Order of the White Eagle (Russia); Order of St Anne, 1st Class (Russia); Order of St Stanislas, 1st Class (Russia); Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George (United Kingdom), 1921, plus others.
Born, 10 November 1865. Died, 20 May 1945. Imperial Prince. 16th son of Imperial Prince Fushimi, Kuniye. Adopted by Emperor Komei, thereby becoming the brother of Emperor Meiji. Commenced Buddhist monk training, 1868 to January 1872. Created Prince Kanin, January 1872. Graduated from the Military Academy, 1881. Commissioned: 2nd Lieutenant, 1881. Promoted: Lieutenant, Cavalry, 18 August 1887; Captain, 3 November 1892; Major, 3 November 1894; Lieutenant-Colonel, 3 November 1897; Colonel, Cavalry, 3 November 1899; Major-General, 3 November 1901; Lieutenant-General, 3 November 1904; General, 27 November 1912; Field Marshal, 12 December 1919, transferred to the Retired List, 3 October 1940. Studied in France (attended Saint Cyr Military Academy and Saumur Cavalry School, and attached to 7th Light Cavalry Regiment), September 1882 to July 1891. Instructor at the Military Academy, 24 October 1891 to 19 July 1893. Graduated from the Army Staff College, 1894. Attached to 1st Army Headquarters (Sino-Japanese War), September 1894 to 3 November 1894. Attached to 1st Cavalry Battalion (Sino-Japanese War), 3 November 1894 to 20 November 1896. Commander, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 3 November 1897 to 28 October 1899. Trip to Europe, 28 October 1899 to 3 September 1900. Commander, 2nd Cavalry Brigade, 3 November 1901 to 21 September 1904. Staff Officer, Manchurian Armies Headquarters (Russo-Japanese War), 21 September 1904 to 8 May 1905. Attached to Imperial Headquarters, 8 May 1905 to 20 December 1905. Attached to Army General Staff, 20 December 1905 to 3 February 1906. Commander, 1st Division, 3 February 1906 to 6 September 1911. Commander, Imperial Guards Division, 6 September 1911 to 27 November 1912. Head of Special Military Mission to Russia, August to October 1916. Accompanied Crown Prince Hirohito on trip to Europe, 3 March 1921 to 3 September 1921. Protocol Officer, 27 October 1923. Chief of the Army General Staff, 23 December 1931 to 3 October 1940. Member of the Supreme War Council, 27 November 1912 to 1 September 1945. Court Cane Hisamoto, 15 January 1944. Accorded a State Funeral, 18 June 1945. National decorations: Collar of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum, 24 September 1921; Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum, 18 August 1887; Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun, with Paulownia, 1880; Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure; Order of the Golden Kite, 1st Class, 4 April 1942; Order of the Golden Kite, 2nd Class, 1 April 1906; Order of the Golden Kite, 4th Class, 20 November 1895. Foreign decorations (partial list): Grand Cross of the Order of St Stephen (Austria-Hungary) 1900; Grand Cordon of the Order of Leopold, military (Belgium), 28 April 1900; Grand Cordon of the Order of Mohamed Ali (Egypt), 1921; Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour (France), 16 July 1895; Collar of the Order of the Annunziata (Italy), 1900; Grand Cross of the Order of St Maurice and St Lazarus (Italy), 1900; Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown of Italy (Italy), 1900; Grand Cordon of the Order of the Orchid Blossom (Manchukuo), 1935; Grand Cross of the Order of the Netherlands Lion (Netherlands), 18 June 1921; Grand Cross of the Order of the Red Eagle, with Diamonds (Prussia); Order of Merit of the Crown of Prussia, with Swords (Prussia), 22 March 1906; Knight of the Order of St Andrew (Russia), 1916; Knight of the Order of St Alexander Nevsky (Russia); Knight of the Order of the White Eagle (Russia); Order of St Anne, 1st Class (Russia); Order of St Stanislas, 1st Class (Russia); Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George (United Kingdom), 1921, plus others.
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Peter James
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Re: Japanese Field Marshals
Hata
Graduated from the Military Academy, 12th Class, 21 November 1900. Commissioned: 2nd Lieutenant, Artillery, 25 June 1901. Promoted: Lieutenant, 18 November 1903; Captain, 27 June 1905; Major, 10 July 1914; Lieutenant-Colonel, 24 July 1918; Colonel, Artillery, 20 July 1921; Major-General, 2 March 1926; Lieutenant-General, 1 August 1931; General, 1 November 1937; Field Marshal, 2 June 1944; transferred to the Reserve, 30 November 1945. Promoted to 2nd Rank at Court, 15 June 1944. Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun, 29 April 1934; Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure. Order of the Golden Kite, 1st Class, 21 March 1942.
Post war: Arrested on suspicion of war crimes, 2 December 1945. Tried as a 'Class A' War Criminal, 1946-1948. Convicted and condemned to Life Imprisonment, 12 November 1948. Released from prison, December 1954.
Graduated from the Military Academy, 12th Class, 21 November 1900. Commissioned: 2nd Lieutenant, Artillery, 25 June 1901. Promoted: Lieutenant, 18 November 1903; Captain, 27 June 1905; Major, 10 July 1914; Lieutenant-Colonel, 24 July 1918; Colonel, Artillery, 20 July 1921; Major-General, 2 March 1926; Lieutenant-General, 1 August 1931; General, 1 November 1937; Field Marshal, 2 June 1944; transferred to the Reserve, 30 November 1945. Promoted to 2nd Rank at Court, 15 June 1944. Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun, 29 April 1934; Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure. Order of the Golden Kite, 1st Class, 21 March 1942.
Post war: Arrested on suspicion of war crimes, 2 December 1945. Tried as a 'Class A' War Criminal, 1946-1948. Convicted and condemned to Life Imprisonment, 12 November 1948. Released from prison, December 1954.
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Peter James
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Re: Japanese Field Marshals
Sugiyama
Graduated from the Military Academy, 12th Class, 21 November 1900. Commissioned: 2nd Lieutenant, 14th Infantry Regiment, 25 June 1901. Promoted: Lieutenant, 18 November 1903; Captain, 27 June 1905; Major, 22 August 1913; Lieutenant-Colonel, 6 August 1917; Colonel, Infantry, 28 June 1921; Major-General, 1 May 1925; Lieutenant-General, 1 August 1930; General, 2 November 1936; Field Marshal, 21 June 1943. Promoted to 2nd Rank at Court, 15 July 1943. Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun, 29 April 1934; Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure. Order of the Golden Kite, 1st Class, 13 April 1942. Grand Cross of the Order of the German Eagle (Germany). Grand Cross of the Order of St Maurice and St Lazarus (Italy). Grand Cordon of the Order of the Auspicious Clouds (Manchukuo).
Post war: Committed suicide, 12 September 1945.
Graduated from the Military Academy, 12th Class, 21 November 1900. Commissioned: 2nd Lieutenant, 14th Infantry Regiment, 25 June 1901. Promoted: Lieutenant, 18 November 1903; Captain, 27 June 1905; Major, 22 August 1913; Lieutenant-Colonel, 6 August 1917; Colonel, Infantry, 28 June 1921; Major-General, 1 May 1925; Lieutenant-General, 1 August 1930; General, 2 November 1936; Field Marshal, 21 June 1943. Promoted to 2nd Rank at Court, 15 July 1943. Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun, 29 April 1934; Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure. Order of the Golden Kite, 1st Class, 13 April 1942. Grand Cross of the Order of the German Eagle (Germany). Grand Cross of the Order of St Maurice and St Lazarus (Italy). Grand Cordon of the Order of the Auspicious Clouds (Manchukuo).
Post war: Committed suicide, 12 September 1945.
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Peter James
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Re: Japanese Field Marshals
Terauchi
Graduated from the Military Academy, 11th Class, 21 November 1899. Commissioned: 2nd Lieutenant, 2nd Imperial Guards Infantry Regiment, 22 June 1900. Promoted: Lieutenant, 15 November 1902; Captain, 16 September 1904; Major, 18 October 1911; Lieutenant-Colonel, 15 November 1916; Colonel, Infantry, 25 July 1919; Major-General, 4 February 1924; Lieutenant-General, 1 August 1929; General, 30 October 1935; Field Marshal, 21 June 1943. Attended the Army Staff College, 22 November 1906 to 3 December 1909. Graduated from the Army Staff College, 21st Class, 3 December 1909. Succeeded as 2nd Count Terauchi, 7 November 1919. Promoted to 2nd Rank at Court, 15 October 1940. Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun, 13 August 1938. Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure, 29 April 1934. Order of the Golden Kite, 1st Class, 21 March 1942.
Post war: Surrendered to Supreme Commander, Allied Forces in South-East Asia Theatre, August 1945. Died as a Prisoner of War, Singapore, 12 June 1946.
Graduated from the Military Academy, 11th Class, 21 November 1899. Commissioned: 2nd Lieutenant, 2nd Imperial Guards Infantry Regiment, 22 June 1900. Promoted: Lieutenant, 15 November 1902; Captain, 16 September 1904; Major, 18 October 1911; Lieutenant-Colonel, 15 November 1916; Colonel, Infantry, 25 July 1919; Major-General, 4 February 1924; Lieutenant-General, 1 August 1929; General, 30 October 1935; Field Marshal, 21 June 1943. Attended the Army Staff College, 22 November 1906 to 3 December 1909. Graduated from the Army Staff College, 21st Class, 3 December 1909. Succeeded as 2nd Count Terauchi, 7 November 1919. Promoted to 2nd Rank at Court, 15 October 1940. Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun, 13 August 1938. Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure, 29 April 1934. Order of the Golden Kite, 1st Class, 21 March 1942.
Post war: Surrendered to Supreme Commander, Allied Forces in South-East Asia Theatre, August 1945. Died as a Prisoner of War, Singapore, 12 June 1946.
Re: Japanese Field Marshals
Hi Peter,
In your bios of Hata, Kanin and Sugiyama, you mention them being awarded the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure. Do you have a date of award and source for this, because I have been unable to verify them receiving this award in all my research.
Many thanks,
VJK
In your bios of Hata, Kanin and Sugiyama, you mention them being awarded the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure. Do you have a date of award and source for this, because I have been unable to verify them receiving this award in all my research.Many thanks,
VJK
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Peter James
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Re: Japanese Field Marshals
Hi VJK,
I haven't been able to locate the award dates either, but my source is in photographs of these 3 Field Marshals. For all three, the star of this Order is visible in photographs on the left hand side (indicating Grand Cordon class) of their uniforms.
Regards,
Peter
I haven't been able to locate the award dates either, but my source is in photographs of these 3 Field Marshals. For all three, the star of this Order is visible in photographs on the left hand side (indicating Grand Cordon class) of their uniforms.
Regards,
Peter
Re: Japanese Field Marshals
Thanks for the input Peter.
I've found pics of Kanin showing him wearing the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure, but none of my pics of Hata and Sugiyama show them with the Grand Cordon. Would it be possible for you to post your pics, please.
Kind regards,
VJK
I've found pics of Kanin showing him wearing the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure, but none of my pics of Hata and Sugiyama show them with the Grand Cordon. Would it be possible for you to post your pics, please.
Kind regards,
VJK