2nd Tank Division
Imperial Japanese Army (IJA)

Background
The 2nd Tank Division 戦車第2師団 Sensha Dai-ni Shidan of the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA). Nicknamed Geki 撃 meaning attack.

Wartime History
Established June 24, 1942 in Mudanjiang in Manchuria. Assigned to the Japanese 1st Area Army and patrolled the eastern frontier bordering the Soviet Union (USSR). On September 20 1942 placed under the command of Lieutenant General Tasuku Okada. On December 27, 1943 placed under the command of Lieutenant General Yoshiharu Iwanaka.

In February 1944, the 11th Tank Regiment under the command of Colonel Zueo Ikeda was sent to Shumshu Island in the Kuriles.

In March 1944, the Recon Unit was renamed the 27th Tank Regiment and with the Anti-Aircraft unit were sent to China.

In early August 1944 the remaining units of the 2nd Tank Division were assigned to the Japanese 14th Area Army and shipped to Luzon in the Philippines.

In late 1944, twenty Type 95 Ha Go including ten from 1st Independent Tank Company under Captain Uchida and ten from 2nd Independent Tank Company under Captain Kurobe drawn from the 1st Company, 6th Tank Regiment and 1st Company, 10th Tank Regiments. They were transported by ship to Ormoc on Leyte. The tanks were used as tractors to tow artillery and their ammunition from Ormoc via the Ormoc-Limon Road (Highway 2) to Limon. Afterwards, the tanks supported the infantry defending the Ormoc Valley and road. In the middle of December 1944, all tanks were lost in combat and accidents against the advancing U.S. Army. By the end of December, the last three surviving tanks were demolished before the remaining Japanese retreated from the Limon Pass area.

On January 9, 1945 after the American landing at Lingayen Gulf, the 2nd Tank Division defended against the advancing U.S. Army.

By March 5, 1945 the 2nd Division had lost a total of 203 Type 97 Chi-Ha and 19 Type 95 Ha-Go tanks, and two of its new Type 4 Ho-Ro self-propelled guns. remaining tanks were used to support infantry or were dug in like pillboxes and annihilated during the remainder of the Battle of the Philippines.

The 2nd Tank Division was reconstituted in Japan as a training unit after the disaster in the Philippines. In February 1945, its 11th Armored Regiment was transferred to the control of the Japanese Fifth Area Army and attached to the 91st Infantry Division. It was stationed in the Kuril Islands, where it was in combat against the Soviet Red Army on Paramushir.

Also, the reconnaissance regiment was transferred to Okinawa where it was converted to the 27th Armored Regiment attached to the 24th Division, and the anti-aircraft company was transferred to the 20th Army.

After the surrender of Japan, demobilized and disbanded.

3rd Tank Brigade
The 3rd Tank Brigade was under the command of Major General Isao Shigemi.

6th Tank Regiment
In the Philippines, 1 Light Tank Company, 3 Medium Tank Companies, 1 Gun Tank Company under the command of Colonel Ida.

7th Tank Regiment
In the Philippines, 1 Light Tank Company, 3 Medium Tank Companies, 1 Gun Tank Company under the command of Lt. Colonel Maeda.

10th Tank Regiment
In the Philippines, 1 Light Tank Company, 3 Medium Tank Companies, 1 Gun Tank Company under the command of Lt. Colonel Harada.

Commanding Officers (C.O.)
Lieutenant General Tasuku Okada (September 20, 1942–December 7, 1943)
Lieutenant General Yoshiharu Iwanaka (December 27, 1943–September 30, 1945)

References
Taki's Home Page - Organization of Imperial Japanese Armored Forces
Taki's Home Page - History of Battles of Imperial Japanese Part II
Japanese Tanks 1939–45 (2008) pages 37-39 (The Philippines 1944-1945)
World War II Japanese Tank Tactics (2008) pages 55-56 (acount of Warrant Officer Kojuro Wada, 7th Tank Regt)

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