fbpx
Wikipedia

Giretsu Kuteitai

October 16, 2023

Giretsu (義烈空挺隊, Giretsu Kūteitai, "Heroic Paratroopers") was an airborne commando unit of the Imperial Japanese Army formed from Teishin Shudan (IJA airborne forces), in November 1944 as a last-ditch attempt to reduce and delay Allied bombing raids on the Japanese home islands. The Giretsu commando unit was commanded by Lieutenant General Michio Sugahara.

History Edit

See also: Japanese air attacks on the Mariana Islands

After USAAF B-29 Superfortress strategic bombers began attacks on Tokyo from bases in the Mariana Islands, the 1st Raiding Brigade of the Teishin Shudan was ordered to form a commando unit for a "special operations" mission to attack and destroy the bombers on the Aslito Airfield on Saipan. Captain Michiro Okuyama, commander of the brigade's engineering company and trained in airfield seizure and providing security tactics, anti-tank warfare, artillery observer, CQB/CQC, defusing and disposal of bombs and land mines, demolition, direct-action commando style raids, forward air control, gathering military intelligence, jungle warfare, parachuting, mountain warfare, sabotage behind enemy lines, special reconnaissance, tactical communications, and tracking targets in jungle was selected as mission leader, and he selected an additional 126 men from his own team (1st Teishin-Dan 1st Regiment 4th Company) to form the first Giretsu Airborne Unit. It was initially organized with a command section and five platoons and one independent squad, based at the IJA air academy at Saitama. The group unit also included eight intelligence officers and two radio men from the Nakano School.

Tactics Edit

The Giretsu operations were to be undertaken at night, beginning with air strikes by bombers. After this, commando units would be inserted onto the target airfield by crash landing their transports. The fact that there was no provision for extraction of the strike force, along with the rejection of surrender in Japanese military doctrine at the time, meant that the Giretsu ground operations were effectively suicide attacks.

Operations Edit

The attack against the Marianas was scheduled for 24 December 1944, but was called off after American raids damaged the planned refueling airfields on Iwo Jima. After the Marianas raid was cancelled plans were made to attack airfields on Iwo Jima captured by the United States Marine Corps in March, but these too were cancelled when the Iwo Jima garrison fell.

On 1 April, US forces landed on Okinawa, and American fighters based on Okinawa's west coast intercepted and shot down many kamikaze aircraft attacking the American fleet. In the middle of April, the Sixth Air Army requested the deployment of the Giretsu Special Forces to neutralize these airfields, in what was designated "Operation Gi-gou". On 18 May, this was authorized.

 
Ki-21-IIb of the Daisan Dokuritsu Hikōtai at Yontan Airfield, 25 May 1945
 
Wrecked U.S. planes after attack on Yontan Airfield

On the night of 24 May 1945, 12 Ki-21-IIbs of the Daisan Dokuritsu Hikōtai ("3rd Independent Squadron": 32 crew members commanded by Captain Chuichi Suwabe) were dispatched for a strike, each with 14 commandos. Eight were assigned to attack Yontan and four to Kadena. Four aircraft aborted the mission with engine problems, and three more were shot down; however, five managed to crash-land at Yontan Airfield during the confusion caused by a diversionary attack by some 50 IJAAF and IJN bombers and fighters.

Only one plane landed successfully. About 10 surviving raiders, armed with submachine guns and various explosives then wreaked havoc on the supplies and nearby aircraft, killed two US servicemen, destroyed 70,000 US gallons (260,000 L) of fuel and nine aircraft, and damaged 29 more before being nearly annihilated by the defenders. One member of the raiding party survived and was able to make his way across the battlefield, reaching the Thirty-Second Army Headquarters (Okinawa) around 12 June.[1]

 
Memorial to Giretsu Commandos in Itoman, Okinawa

A second large-scale attack on bases in the Marianas with the specific intent of destroying B-29 Superfortress bombers was again planned with 60 transports and 900 commandos for the nights of 19–23 August 1945 (Operation Ken-gou). On 15 August, Japan surrendered and the operation was canceled.

Uniforms and equipment Edit

Giretsu personnel wore special hand-made camouflage uniforms made from Ink, and carried special equipment. Most were armed with Type 100 submachine guns, Type 99 rifles, Type 99 light machine guns, and Type 30 bayonets, Type 89 grenade dischargers, Type 99 grenades and Type 99 mines, as well as Type 94 8 mm pistols.[2]

See also Edit

Notes Edit

  1. ^ "Sixth Air Army Action Report" IJN Confidential Telegram No.121340 ,12 June 1945
  2. ^ Giretsu Kuteitai Attack Plan, Equipment list

References Edit

  • Gakken (2005). Okinawa Kessen [The Decisive Battle For Okinawa]. Gakken. ISBN 4-05-603892-9.
  • Hata, Ikuhiko (1986). Dainiji Taisen Koku Shiwa [Aviation Tales of World War II]. Vol. 3. kofusha-shuppan. ISBN 4-87519-744-6.
  • Imperial Japanese Army, Giretsu Kuteitai (1945). Giretsu Kuteitai Kougeki Keikaku [Giretsu Kuteitai Attack Plan].
  • Imperial Japanese Navy (1945). Nansei Shoto Dempo Tsuzuri [Telegram Files of Southwest Islands].
  • Japan News Record Committee (1980). Gekido no Showa [Turbulent Showa-era]. Japan Broadcast Publishing.
  • Jowett, Philip (2002). The Japanese Army 1931-1945, Volume 2. Osprey. ISBN 1-84176-354-3.
  • Ministry of Defense Japan (1968). Senshi Sosho Volume 11: Okinawa Houmen Rikugun Sakusen [Okinawa Area Army Operation]. Asagumo Shimbunsha.
  • Ministry of Defense Japan (1970). Senshi Sosho Volume 36: Rikugun Koku Sakusen [Army Air Operation, Okinawa etc]. Asagumo Shimbunsha.
  • Nakanishi, Ritta (1991). Japanese Military Uniform 1930-1945. Dai Nippon Kaiga. ISBN 4-499-20587-5.
  • Rottman, Gordon (2005). Japanese Paratroop Forces of World War II (Elite). Osprey. ISBN 1-84176-903-7.
  • Tanaka, Kenichi (1972). Aa Junpaku no Hana Oite [Shouldering Pure White Flower]. Gakuyo-shobo.
  • Tanaka, Kenichi (1976). Kaeranu Kuteibutai [The Airborne Unit Doesn't Return]. Hara-shobo.
  • Tv Tokyo (1985). Shogen Watashi no Showa-shi [The Testimonies: My Showa-era]. Vol. 5. Obunsya. ISBN 4-01-064305-6.
  • U.S.Army (2005). Okinawa: The Last Battle. University Press of the Pacific. ISBN 1-4102-2206-3.
  • Yomitan Village (2003). Yomitanson-shi [The History of Yomitan Village]. Vol. 5.

External links Edit

  • . Time. 4 June 1945. Archived from the original on 11 September 2009. Retrieved 3 May 2010.
  • Canup, Claude R. "Red"; Keaton-Lima, Linda Canup (June 2010). . Naval History Magazine. Archived from the original on 13 June 2010. Retrieved 6 May 2010.
  • Nippon News, No. 252. in the official website of NHK."Giretsu Kuteibutai".

October 16, 2023
giretsu, kuteitai, giretsu, 義烈空挺隊, giretsu, kūteitai, heroic, paratroopers, airborne, commando, unit, imperial, japanese, army, formed, from, teishin, shudan, airborne, forces, november, 1944, last, ditch, attempt, reduce, delay, allied, bombing, raids, japane. Giretsu 義烈空挺隊 Giretsu Kuteitai Heroic Paratroopers was an airborne commando unit of the Imperial Japanese Army formed from Teishin Shudan IJA airborne forces in November 1944 as a last ditch attempt to reduce and delay Allied bombing raids on the Japanese home islands The Giretsu commando unit was commanded by Lieutenant General Michio Sugahara Giretsu 義烈空挺隊 Giretsu Kuteitai Captain Okuyama and Giretsu Airborne unit depart on their mission to OkinawaCountryImperial JapanBranchImperial Japanese ArmyTypeCommandoRoleAnti tank warfareArtillery observerAssault and airfield seizureBomb disposalClandestine operationClose quarters combatDemolitionDirect actionForce protectionForward air controlHUMINTIndirect fireIrregular warfareJungle warfareLong range penetrationMilitary engineeringMilitary intelligenceMountain warfareParachutingRaidingReconnaissanceSpecial operationsSpecial reconnaissanceTactical communicationsTrackingEngagementsPacific War Battle of OkinawaCommandersNotablecommandersLieutenant General Michio Sugahara Contents 1 History 2 Tactics 3 Operations 4 Uniforms and equipment 5 See also 6 Notes 7 References 8 External linksHistory EditSee also Japanese air attacks on the Mariana Islands After USAAF B 29 Superfortress strategic bombers began attacks on Tokyo from bases in the Mariana Islands the 1st Raiding Brigade of the Teishin Shudan was ordered to form a commando unit for a special operations mission to attack and destroy the bombers on the Aslito Airfield on Saipan Captain Michiro Okuyama commander of the brigade s engineering company and trained in airfield seizure and providing security tactics anti tank warfare artillery observer CQB CQC defusing and disposal of bombs and land mines demolition direct action commando style raids forward air control gathering military intelligence jungle warfare parachuting mountain warfare sabotage behind enemy lines special reconnaissance tactical communications and tracking targets in jungle was selected as mission leader and he selected an additional 126 men from his own team 1st Teishin Dan 1st Regiment 4th Company to form the first Giretsu Airborne Unit It was initially organized with a command section and five platoons and one independent squad based at the IJA air academy at Saitama The group unit also included eight intelligence officers and two radio men from the Nakano School Tactics EditThe Giretsu operations were to be undertaken at night beginning with air strikes by bombers After this commando units would be inserted onto the target airfield by crash landing their transports The fact that there was no provision for extraction of the strike force along with the rejection of surrender in Japanese military doctrine at the time meant that the Giretsu ground operations were effectively suicide attacks Operations EditThe attack against the Marianas was scheduled for 24 December 1944 but was called off after American raids damaged the planned refueling airfields on Iwo Jima After the Marianas raid was cancelled plans were made to attack airfields on Iwo Jima captured by the United States Marine Corps in March but these too were cancelled when the Iwo Jima garrison fell On 1 April US forces landed on Okinawa and American fighters based on Okinawa s west coast intercepted and shot down many kamikaze aircraft attacking the American fleet In the middle of April the Sixth Air Army requested the deployment of the Giretsu Special Forces to neutralize these airfields in what was designated Operation Gi gou On 18 May this was authorized nbsp Ki 21 IIb of the Daisan Dokuritsu Hikōtai at Yontan Airfield 25 May 1945 nbsp Wrecked U S planes after attack on Yontan AirfieldOn the night of 24 May 1945 12 Ki 21 IIbs of the Daisan Dokuritsu Hikōtai 3rd Independent Squadron 32 crew members commanded by Captain Chuichi Suwabe were dispatched for a strike each with 14 commandos Eight were assigned to attack Yontan and four to Kadena Four aircraft aborted the mission with engine problems and three more were shot down however five managed to crash land at Yontan Airfield during the confusion caused by a diversionary attack by some 50 IJAAF and IJN bombers and fighters Only one plane landed successfully About 10 surviving raiders armed with submachine guns and various explosives then wreaked havoc on the supplies and nearby aircraft killed two US servicemen destroyed 70 000 US gallons 260 000 L of fuel and nine aircraft and damaged 29 more before being nearly annihilated by the defenders One member of the raiding party survived and was able to make his way across the battlefield reaching the Thirty Second Army Headquarters Okinawa around 12 June 1 nbsp Memorial to Giretsu Commandos in Itoman OkinawaA second large scale attack on bases in the Marianas with the specific intent of destroying B 29 Superfortress bombers was again planned with 60 transports and 900 commandos for the nights of 19 23 August 1945 Operation Ken gou On 15 August Japan surrendered and the operation was canceled Uniforms and equipment EditGiretsu personnel wore special hand made camouflage uniforms made from Ink and carried special equipment Most were armed with Type 100 submachine guns Type 99 rifles Type 99 light machine guns and Type 30 bayonets Type 89 grenade dischargers Type 99 grenades and Type 99 mines as well as Type 94 8 mm pistols 2 See also EditCommando Teishin Shudan Raid on Yontan Airfield Japanese marine paratroopers of World War II Kaoru Special Attack CorpsNotes Edit Sixth Air Army Action Report IJN Confidential Telegram No 121340 12 June 1945 Giretsu Kuteitai Attack Plan Equipment listReferences EditGakken 2005 Okinawa Kessen The Decisive Battle For Okinawa Gakken ISBN 4 05 603892 9 Hata Ikuhiko 1986 Dainiji Taisen Koku Shiwa Aviation Tales of World War II Vol 3 kofusha shuppan ISBN 4 87519 744 6 Imperial Japanese Army Giretsu Kuteitai 1945 Giretsu Kuteitai Kougeki Keikaku Giretsu Kuteitai Attack Plan Imperial Japanese Navy 1945 Nansei Shoto Dempo Tsuzuri Telegram Files of Southwest Islands Japan News Record Committee 1980 Gekido no Showa Turbulent Showa era Japan Broadcast Publishing Jowett Philip 2002 The Japanese Army 1931 1945 Volume 2 Osprey ISBN 1 84176 354 3 Ministry of Defense Japan 1968 Senshi Sosho Volume 11 Okinawa Houmen Rikugun Sakusen Okinawa Area Army Operation Asagumo Shimbunsha Ministry of Defense Japan 1970 Senshi Sosho Volume 36 Rikugun Koku Sakusen Army Air Operation Okinawa etc Asagumo Shimbunsha Nakanishi Ritta 1991 Japanese Military Uniform 1930 1945 Dai Nippon Kaiga ISBN 4 499 20587 5 Rottman Gordon 2005 Japanese Paratroop Forces of World War II Elite Osprey ISBN 1 84176 903 7 Tanaka Kenichi 1972 Aa Junpaku no Hana Oite Shouldering Pure White Flower Gakuyo shobo Tanaka Kenichi 1976 Kaeranu Kuteibutai The Airborne Unit Doesn t Return Hara shobo Tv Tokyo 1985 Shogen Watashi no Showa shi The Testimonies My Showa era Vol 5 Obunsya ISBN 4 01 064305 6 U S Army 2005 Okinawa The Last Battle University Press of the Pacific ISBN 1 4102 2206 3 Yomitan Village 2003 Yomitanson shi The History of Yomitan Village Vol 5 External links Edit Battle of the Pacific Enter the Giretsu Time 4 June 1945 Archived from the original on 11 September 2009 Retrieved 3 May 2010 Canup Claude R Red Keaton Lima Linda Canup June 2010 The Giretsu Attack Naval History Magazine Archived from the original on 13 June 2010 Retrieved 6 May 2010 Nippon News No 252 in the official website of NHK Giretsu Kuteibutai Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Giretsu Kuteitai amp oldid 1172444107, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

article

, read, download, free, free download, mp3, video, mp4, 3gp, jpg, jpeg, gif, png, picture, music, song, movie, book, game, games.