Country Empire of Japan Role Corps Nickname(s) none Branch Imperial Japanese Army | Type Infantry Garrison/HQ Guangzhou Headquarters Guangzhou Engagement Canton Operation | |
Active September 19, 1938 - February 19, 1940 Similar Imperial Japanese Army, Twenty‑Eighth Army, Sixth Army, Twenty‑Fifth Army, Sixteenth Army | ||
The Japanese 21st Army (第21軍, Dai-nijyūichi gun) was an army of the Imperial Japanese Army during the Second Sino-Japanese War.
Contents
History
The Japanese 21st Army was formed on September 19, 1938 under the Imperial General Headquarters. It was transferred to the control of the China Expeditionary Army on September 23, 1939 and assigned the primary role in the Canton Operation (the invasion of Guangdong Province in southern China), together with the Imperial Japanese Navy’s 5th Fleet.
On October 12, the 18th and 104th Divisions landed, followed by command units the following day. By October 21, the provincial capital of Guangzhou was under Japanese control. The IJA 5th Division continued to advance up the Pearl River and by November 5 had taken the city of Foshan. By the end of November, the entire province was under Japanese control.
The Japanese 21st Army was disbanded on February 9, 1940. Its command staff joined the staff of the Japanese Southern China Area Army, and its divisions were reassigned to other areas.
Organization (as of February 9, 1940)
21st Army