General Tomoyoki Yamashita’s appreciation of air warfare

Discussions on all aspects of the Japanese Empire, from the capture of Taiwan until the end of the Second World War.
Post Reply
Fatboy Coxy
Member
Posts: 873
Joined: 26 Jul 2009, 17:14
Location: Essex, UK

General Tomoyoki Yamashita’s appreciation of air warfare

#1

Post by Fatboy Coxy » 26 Oct 2021, 19:48

Hi all, I have a few questions regarding General Yamashita, the ‘Tiger of Malaya’. On looking at the list of commands Yamashita held during his career, I noticed that from 22 July 1940 to 10 December 1940 he held both the Inspector-General of Army Aviation, as well as the Head of Army Aviation Headquarters commands.

Two jobs, is this a case of ‘lost in translation’, a poorly translated command title, or did he really have two roles, and what exactly was he doing in those roles.

How much awareness might he have gained in IJA Air Force doctrine, and operational capabilities

How did the Army Air Force perceive him, fondly, or glad to see the back of him.

What, if any, changes did he bring to the Army Air Force in the just under six months he commanded them

Regards
Fatboy Coxy
Regards
Fatboy Coxy

Currently writing https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/ ... if.521982/

User avatar
VJK
Member
Posts: 4900
Joined: 07 Apr 2002, 16:50
Location: Riga, Latvia

Re: General Tomoyoki Yamashita’s appreciation of air warfare

#2

Post by VJK » 26 Oct 2021, 21:47

Hi,

I can only reply to the first of your questions - Yamashita was Chief of Army Aeronautical Headquarters, Ministry of War from 22 Jul 1940 - 10 Dec 1940. From 10 December 1938 to 18 April 1945 the post was concurrent with that of Inspector General of Army Aviation. The latter command was directly subordinated to the Emperor.

Kind regards,

VJK


User avatar
fontessa
Member
Posts: 4489
Joined: 25 Mar 2011, 17:29
Location: Yokohama, Japan

Re: General Tomoyoki Yamashita’s appreciation of air warfare

#3

Post by fontessa » 27 Oct 2021, 01:22

Hello gents,

陸軍航空総監 Inspector General of Army Aviation which supervised the education of army aviation sector was activated on 10 December 1938. In other word, the independence of the education of army aviation sector from 陸軍教育総監 Army Inspectorate General of Education which had traditionally supervised the education of the Army. In activating Inspector General of Army Aviation, there was considerable conflict with the Army Inspectorate General of Education.

The below shows the organization of 陸軍航空本部 Army Aeronautical Headquarters. The Director and members of departments / sections shown in red were also serves Director and members of Inspector General of Army Aviation. (Regular post was Inspector General of Army Aviation and additional post was Army Aeronautical Headquarters)
Army Aeronautical Headquarters
Director
General Affairs Department
- Air Navigation Section
- General Affairs Section
- General Clerk Section
Education Department
- Education Section
- Security Section
- Standards Section

Maintenance Department
- Production Section
- Materials Section
- Airplane Section
- Weapons Section
- Arrange Section
Engineering Department
Accounting department
-Accounting Section
-Facilities Section
Medical department
Chief Supervisor

Dispatched to German Aviation Inspection Team headed by LtG Yamashita Tomoyuki, called Yamashita Dispatched to German Aviation Inspection Team visited Germany and Italy from December 1940 to June 1941. Their important inspections were;
- Air Force (Luftwaffe)
- Armed Units
- Communications Units
- Technical Innovation
↓ Inspection Team Report
https://www.jacar.archives.go.jp/aj/met ... 5120145100

As for Air Force, the Inspection Team proposed the integration of IJAAF and IJNAF. And the Inspection Team was strongly influenced by Luftwaffe. For example;
- Paratroopers should belong to the integrated Air Force
- Light bombers should specialize in dive bombing
- Heavy bombers should have dive bombing capability
- The mixed air brigades should be separated into a fighter brigades and bomber brigades
There were no clear events in which these recommendations were accepted. In particular, the Concept of Integrated Air Force was severely denied. LtG Yamashita was appointed the Kwantung Defense Army Commander on July 17th, 1941. It was not the Kwantung Army, so it was said that he was relegated due to the discomfort of the upper Army.

fontessa

User avatar
VJK
Member
Posts: 4900
Joined: 07 Apr 2002, 16:50
Location: Riga, Latvia

Re: General Tomoyoki Yamashita’s appreciation of air warfare

#4

Post by VJK » 28 Oct 2021, 10:22

Thank you fontessa for your detailed and interesting reply.

Kind regards,

VJK

Fatboy Coxy
Member
Posts: 873
Joined: 26 Jul 2009, 17:14
Location: Essex, UK

Re: General Tomoyoki Yamashita’s appreciation of air warfare

#5

Post by Fatboy Coxy » 04 Nov 2021, 11:26

Thank you both for your replies, especially the detail fontessa had supplied

That helps me understand a little more about the recommendations Yamashita proposed regarding the restructuring and change of doctrine of not only the Japanese Army, but its Army Air Force as well. Tojo completely rejected those suggestions, and was very put out by Yamashita even suggesting it.

Was this where Yamashita fell under Tojo's dark cloud, or was that already there owing to them being in different army factions.

And does anyone have any detail as to what Yamashita was proposing in changes in both the army and army air force?

Regards
Fatboy Coxy
Regards
Fatboy Coxy

Currently writing https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/ ... if.521982/

Post Reply

Return to “Japan at War 1895-1945”