WWII Philippine Campaign

Wargame Organization: Japanese

by Al Coughlin

The initial invasion of the Philippines included only two Japanese divisions, the 16th and the 48th, supported by two tank regiments, four battalions of heavy artillery (105mm and 150mm guns and howitzers), three engineer regiments, five antiaircraft battalions, plus several service and service support units. The 65th Brigade was not initially employed but was envisioned as a garrison unit. The following organizations reflect either the typical organization of the units in question (e.g. the 16th and 48th Divisions) or actual historical ones (e.g. the 65th Brigade).

JAPANESE INFANTRY DIVISION
(Experienced, 9), (some may be Veteran, 10)

Division Headquarters: 1 Command Stand, 1 Staff Radio Wagon
Infantry Brigade Headquarters: 1 Command Stand, 1 Staff Radio Stand, 1 Support Stand
Three Infantry Regiments, each with:

    Headquarters: 1 Command Stand, 1 Staff Radio Stand, 1 Support Stand
    Regimental Artillery Company: 1 75L21 Mountain Gun, 1 Crew Stand IDS), 1 Limber
    Regimental AT-Company: 1 47L54 AT Gun, 1 Crew Stand (DS), 1 Limber
    Three Infantry Battalions, each with:
      Headquarters: 1 Command Stand, 1 Weapons Stand, 1 Support Stand
      Four Rifle Companies, each with: 1 Command Stand, 3 Infantry Stands
      Machine Gun Company: 2 MMG Stands (DS)

    Reconnaissance Regiment, with:
      Headquarters: 1 Command Stand, 1 Weapons Stand, 2 Light Trucks
      Two Reconnaissance Companies, each with:
        4 Recon Infantry Stands, 4 Light Trucks, 1 Light Tank or Armored Car

Artillery Regiment, with:

    Headquarters: 1 Command Stand, 1 Weapons Stand, 1 Support Stand
    Two Light Artillery Battalions, each with:
      1 Command Stand, 1 FO Stand, 3 75L30 or 75L21 Field or Mountain Guns, 3 Crew Stands (DS), 3 Limbers

    One Medium Artillery, with: 1 Command Stand, 1 FO Stand, 3 105L24 Field Howitzer, 3 Crew Stands IDS) 3 Limbers

Engineer Regiment, with:

    Headquarters: 1 Command Stand
    Three Engineer Companies, each with: 1 Command Engineer Stand, 3 Engineer Stands

65TH INDEPENDENT BRIGADE
(Trained, 8)

Brigade Headquarters, with: 1 Command Stand, 1 Staff Radio Stand, 1 Engineer Stand
Two Infantry Regiments (141st and 142nd) each with:

    Headquarters: 1 Command Stand, 1 75L21 Mountain Gun, 1 Crew Stand (DS), 1 Limber
    Two Infantry Battalions, each with:
      Headquarters: 1 Command Stand, 1 Weapons Stand
      Four Rifle Companies, each with: 1 Command Stand, 3-Rifle Stands
      Machine Gun Company, with: 2 MMG Stands (DS)

1ST AND 8TH INDEPENDENT FIELD HEAVY ARTILLERY REGIMENTS
(Experienced, 9)

Headquarters, with: 1 Command Stand, 1 Staff Radio Stand, 1 Support Stand
Three Battalions, each with:

    1 Command Stand, 1 FO Stand, 3 105L24 Howitzers, 3 Crew Stands (DS), 3 Limbers

9TH INDEPENDENT ARTILLERY BATTALION

Headquarters, with: 1 Command Stand, 1 Staff Radio Stand, 1 FO Stand, 3 150L22 Howitzers, 3 Crew Stands (DS), 3 Limbers

7TH TANK REGIMENT
(Experienced, 8)

Headquarters, with: 1 Command Stand, 1 Staff Radio Truck, 1 Support Stand, 2 Light Trucks
Reconnaissance Company, with: 2 Recon Light Tanks
Four Tank Companies, with: 1 Command Light Tank, 3 Medium Tanks


Jumbo Japanese Data Chart (slow: 109K)

WWII Philippine Campaign

Back to Table of Contents -- Courier #56
To Courier List of Issues
To MagWeb Master Magazine List
© Copyright 1991 by The Courier Publishing Company.
This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web.
Other articles from military history and related magazines are available at http://www.magweb.com