Lt. General Harukichi Hyakutake
Imperial Japanese Army

Background
Harukichi Hyakutake 百武 晴吉 was born May 25, 1888 in Saga Prefecture in Japan. He is sometimes referred to as Haruyoshi Hyakutake or Seikichi Hyakutake. His elder brothers Saburō Hyakutake and Gengo Hyakutake were both admirals in the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN).

Wartime History
Hyakutake attended the Imperial Japanese Army Academy 21st class in 1909 and was commissioned as an officer. Next, he attended Army Staff College 33rd class in 1921 and studied cryptanalysis. After graduation, assigned to the Imperial Japanese Army General Staff.

In August 1939, promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General. During February 1940 commander of the 18th Division until April 1941.

During May 1942 assigned command of the 17th Army headquartered at Rabaul and was involved in the planning and command of the Japanese landing on the north coast of New Guinea and inland advance along the Kokoda Trail. By September 18, 1942 to became clear to Hyakutake at Rabaul, that the overland offensive across the Kokoda Trail towards Port Moresby had failed and ordered Major General Horii Tomitaro to establish a defensive perimeter on the north coast around Buna, Gona and Sanananda.

Next, Hyakutake commanded the 17th Army during the Guadalcanal campaign during the Guadalcanal campaign and attemps to defeat U.S. Marines (USMC) defending the perimeter around Henderson Field on Guadalcanal. He oversaw the Battle of Bloody Ridge (September 12-14, 1942), On October 15, 1942 he issues tactical orders to his 2d Division to assault Henderson Field with the tentative date as October 18, 1942 but will be delayed as his forces move into position ahead of the Battle for Henderson Field (October 24-25, 1942) and the defense of the central Solomon Islands.

When the 8th Area Army under General Hitoshi Imamura took over operations, Hyakutake directed Japanese Army units in the Solomons Islands. On November 1, 1943 when the U.S. landed at Torokina, Hyakutake was on Bougainville. His counter offensive by the 6th Division was defeated attacking the U.S. perimeter.

Cut off from reinforcements and resupply, his remaining soldiers were forced to live off the land by growing crops and engaging in protracted warfare on Bougainville for the remainder of the Pacific War. During February 1945, Hyakutake suffered a stroke and was relieved of his command by Lt. General Masatane Kanda. Unable to be evacuated, he remained in southern Bougainville until Japan officially surrendered on September 2, 1945.

Postwar
On October 1, 1945 debilitated by the stroke, Hyakutake was too weak or unable to walk and was carried in a chair by four soldiers to Kahili (Buin) to surrender and became a Prisoner Of War (POW) and was transported by landing craft to Fauro Island where the Japanese POWs were detained in a POW Camp. Due to his weakened health, he was moved to the camp hospital and during November 1945 was bedridden. In February 1946 repatriated to Japan. On March 10, 1947 died in Japan.

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