Guns of Japanese divisons in Burma invasion

[Kelvin]

Hi, I am looking for number of artillery pieces of 33rd, 55th and 56th divisions in invasion of Burma in 1942. I have data on 18th Division but lacks information on these three division, everyone one could help on that ? Thank

[Akira Takizawa]

The artillery regiments of 33rd and 55th divisions had 27 Type 94 75mm Mountain Guns each. The artillery regiment of 56th division had 27 guns (Type 38 75mm Field Guns and Type 91 10cm Howitzers). The numbers of guns in infantry regiments are unknown.

Taki

[Kelvin]

The artillery regiments of 33rd and 55th divisions had 27 Type 94 75mm Mountain Guns each. The artillery regiment of 56th division had 27 guns (Type 38 75mm Field Guns and Type 91 10cm Howitzers). The numbers of guns in infantry regiments are unknown.

Taki

Hello, Taki, thank a lot for your help.

[fontessa]

The numbers of guns in infantry regiments are unknown.

☆ As for 33rd Division, detailed data is not left.

☆ 55th Division was organized by Army Regulation “A” No. 63 dated 16 September 1941.

The below is the outline of Infantry Regiment.

Infantry Regiment (2,933 men)
- HQ, Battalion x 3, Infantry Gun Company x 1, Signal Company x 1
Battalion
- HQ, Company x 3, HMG Company x 3, Infantry Gun Platoon x 1

Type41 Mountain Gun x 2
Type94 37mm AT Gun x 2
Type92 Infantry Gun x 6
Type92 HMG x24
Type96 LMG x 81
Type89 Heavy Grenade Discharger x 81
Type 10 Year Grenade Discharger x 4

☆ 56th Division was Organized by Army Regulation “A” No. 85 dated 15 November 1941.

The below is the outline of Infantry Regiment.

Infantry Regiment (2,881 men)
- HQ, Battalion x 3, Infantry Gun Company x 1, Rapid Firing Gun Company x 1, Signal Company x 1
Battalion
- HQ, Company x 3, HMG Company x 3, Infantry Gun Platoon x 1

Type41 Mountain Gun x 4
Type94 37mm AT Gun x 4
Type92 Infantry Gun x 6
Type92 HMG x24
Type96 LMG x 81
Type89 Heavy Grenade Discharger x 81
Type 10 Year Grenade Discharger x 4

fontessa

[Kelvin]

Hi, Fontessa, thank for your addition.

BTW, did 18 division had 9 x 75mm field guns and 18 x 75mm Type 94 mountain guns prior to Burma invasion or already had this organization even before the breakout of the Pacific War ? Anyone know that ? I know she should have 27 x 75mm mountain guns in early 1941.

[Akira Takizawa]

When 18th Division was formed in China Incident, its artillery regiment was 12th Field Gun Regiment. It consisted of three field gun battalions equipped with 12 Type 38 75mm Field guns each.

In 1939, it was converted to mountain gun unit and renamed to 18th Mountain Gun Regiment. It consisted of two mountain gun battalions (9 Type 94 75mm Mountain Guns each) and one field gun battalion (9 Type 38 75mm Field guns).

Taki

[Kelvin]

When 18th Division was formed in China Incident, its artillery regiment was 12th Field Gun Regiment. It consisted of three field gun battalions equipped with 12 Type 38 75mm Field guns each.

In 1939, it was converted to mountain gun unit and renamed to 18th Mountain Gun Regiment. It consisted of two mountain gun battalions (9 Type 94 75mm Mountain Guns each) and one field gun battalion (9 Type 38 75mm Field guns).

Taki

Hello, Taki, thank so much for your help.

[Kelvin]

Hi, Taki, I see 18th Division had received a 15cm howitzer battalion, is it additional battalion for her or just exchange it with one of her three battalions ?

And I see sources that 38th Artillery Regiment of 38th Division each battery had two Type 94 and two Type 41 mountain guns mixed, is it true ? Thank.

[Akira Takizawa]

> Hi, Taki, I see 18th Division had received a 15cm howitzer battalion, is it additional battalion for her or just exchange it with one of her three battalions ?

I think that it says about 21st Field Heavy Artillery Battalion. During the battle of the Ledo Road, it was attached to 18th Division.

> And I see sources that 38th Artillery Regiment of 38th Division each battery had two Type 94 and two Type 41 mountain guns mixed, is it true ?

No. 3th, 6th, 9th batteries had 3 Type 94 mountain guns and other batteries had 3 Type 41 mountain guns.

Taki

[Kelvin]

> Hi, Taki, I see 18th Division had received a 15cm howitzer battalion, is it additional battalion for her or just exchange it with one of her three battalions ?

I think that it says about 21st Field Heavy Artillery Battalion. During the battle of the Ledo Road, it was attached to 18th Division.

> And I see sources that 38th Artillery Regiment of 38th Division each battery had two Type 94 and two Type 41 mountain guns mixed, is it true ?

No. 3th, 6th, 9th batteries had 3 Type 94 mountain guns and other batteries had 3 Type 41 mountain guns.

Taki

Hello, Taki, thank so much for your help.

[Kelvin]

When 18th Division was formed in China Incident, its artillery regiment was 12th Field Gun Regiment. It consisted of three field gun battalions equipped with 12 Type 38 75mm Field guns each.

In 1939, it was converted to mountain gun unit and renamed to 18th Mountain Gun Regiment. It consisted of two mountain gun battalions (9 Type 94 75mm Mountain Guns each) and one field gun battalion (9 Type 38 75mm Field guns).

Taki

Hello, Taki, did 18th Division still kept 18 x Type 94 75mm mountain guns and 9 x Type 38 75mm field guns in Dec 1941 ? Thank

[Akira Takizawa]

Hello, Taki, did 18th Division still kept 18 x Type 94 75mm mountain guns and 9 x Type 38 75mm field guns in Dec 1941 ?

Yes

Taki

[Kelvin]

Hello, Taki, did 18th Division still kept 18 x Type 94 75mm mountain guns and 9 x Type 38 75mm field guns in Dec 1941 ?

Yes

Taki

HI, Taki, thank so much for your answer.

[Kelvin]

> Hi, Taki, I see 18th Division had received a 15cm howitzer battalion, is it additional battalion for her or just exchange it with one of her three battalions ?

I think that it says about 21st Field Heavy Artillery Battalion. During the battle of the Ledo Road, it was attached to 18th Division.

> And I see sources that 38th Artillery Regiment of 38th Division each battery had two Type 94 and two Type 41 mountain guns mixed, is it true ?

No. 3th, 6th, 9th batteries had 3 Type 94 mountain guns and other batteries had 3 Type 41 mountain guns.

Taki

Hi, Taki, apart from Type 41 mountain guns in Artillery Regiment, did 38th Division still kept 3 x Type 41 Mountain or Regimental guns per Infantry Regiment.

And I see some Sources that 38th Division had an attached 20th mountain battalion with nine Swedish Bofor 75mm M-1930 mountain guns and 10th Mountain gun Regiment with 24 x Type 41 mountain guns ? thank

[Akira Takizawa]

> Hi, Taki, apart from Type 41 mountain guns in Artillery Regiment, did 38th Division still kept 3 x Type 41 Mountain or Regimental guns per Infantry Regiment.

There are two different references of 3 and 4. I don't know which is correct or increased to 4.

> And I see some Sources that 38th Division had an attached 20th mountain battalion with nine Swedish Bofor 75mm M-1930 mountain guns and 10th Mountain gun Regiment with 24 x Type 41 mountain guns ?

Yes

Taki