Active 1938 - 1945 Size 25000 | ||
The 116th Division (第116師団, Dai-hyakujūroku Shidan) was an infantry division of the Imperial Japanese Army. Its call sign was the Storm Division (嵐兵団, Ran Heidan). It was formed 15 May 1938 in Kyoto as a B-class square division, simultaneously with 106th division. The nucleus for the formation was the 16th division headquarters. The division was originally subordinated to the Central China Expeditionary Army.
Action
The 116th division has landed in Shanghai 24 June 1938, and was immediately sent to the Dabie Mountains and Battle of Wuhan through Anqing. From March 1939, a small part of 116th division has also participated in the Battle of Nanchang. After the Central China Expeditionary Army was abolished, the division was reassigned to 13th army.
In the aftermath of the Doolittle Raid 18 April 1942, the 116th division has participated in the Zhejiang-Jiangxi campaign. In December 1942, the 138th infantry regiment was transferred to the 31st division, therefore the 116th division has become a triangular division.
In November 1943, the 116th division have fought in Battle of Changde, and from May 1944 - in Battle of Changsha (1944).
In October 1944, the 116th division was transferred to 20th army and take a part in Defense of Hengyang as a part of the Operation Ichi-Go. During the 40-days intensive assault of Chinese positions, the division has suffered a major losses but was able to capture a city. From March 1945, it also participated in the Battle of West Henan–North Hubei with the help of the newly created 86th independent mixed brigade. By the day of surrender of Japan 15 August 1945, the 116th division was still in Hengyang.