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Fifty Sixth Army (Japan)

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Country
  
Empire of Japan

Role
  
Corps

Branch
  
Imperial Japanese Army

Type
  
Infantry

Engagements
  
Operation Downfall

Engagement
  
Fifty-Sixth Army (Japan)

Active
  
April 21, 1945 – August 15, 1945

Similar
  
Thirty‑First Army, Japanese Sixteenth Area Army, Fifty‑Second Army, Japanese Seventeenth Area Army, Japanese Twelfth Area Army

The Japanese 56th Army (第56軍, Dai-gojyuroku gun) was an army of the Imperial Japanese Army during the final days of World War II.

History

The Japanese 56th Army was formed on April 21, 1945, under the Japanese 16th Area Army as part of the last desperate defense effort by the Empire of Japan to deter possible landings of Allied forces in northern Kyūshū during Operation Downfall. The Japanese 56th Army was based in Iizuka city, Fukuoka Prefecture. It consisted mostly of poorly trained reservists, conscripted students and Volunteer Fighting Corps home guard militia. It was demobilized at the surrender of Japan on August 15, 1945, without having seen combat.

References

Fifty-Sixth Army (Japan) Wikipedia