Country Empire of Japan Role Garrison Branch Imperial Japanese Army | Type Army Garrison/HQ Naha, Okinawa Engagement Battle of Okinawa | |
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Active March 3, 1944 - June 23, 1945 Nickname(s) Tama-Butai (球部隊, Orb Division) Headquarters Naha, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan Similar Imperial Japanese Army, Tenth United States Ar, Twenty‑Eighth Army, Second Army, Third Army | ||
The Japanese 32nd Army (第32軍, Dai Sanjū-ni gun) was an army of the Imperial Japanese Army during the final stages of World War II. It was annihilated during the Battle of Okinawa.
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History
The Japanese 32nd Army was formed on March 13, 1944 as part of the last desperate defense effort by the Empire of Japan to deter possible landings of Allied forces in Okinawa and the surrounding Ryukyu Islands. The Japanese 32nd Army had 77,000 men (39,000 infantry in 31 battalions and 38,000 artillery, armor and combat service troops) plus the 10,000 man Okinawa Naval Base Force and 42,000 Okinawan conscripts. However, many of its personnel were poorly trained reservists, conscripted students and home guard militia. It was annihilated during the Battle of Okinawa from April to June, 1945.