51st Division (Imperial Japanese Army)

51st Division
Soldiers attacking allied defenses on New Guinea
Active1940–1945
CountryJapan
Branch Imperial Japanese Army
TypeInfantry
Size16000
Garrison/HQUtsunomiya
Nickname(s)Base division
EngagementsSecond Sino-Japanese War
Battle of Hong Kong
Battle of the Bismarck Sea
New Guinea campaign
Commanders
Notable
commanders
Yi Un
Hidemitsu Nakano

The 51st Division (第51師団, Dai-gojūichi Shidan) was an infantry division of the Imperial Japanese Army. Its call sign was the Base Division (基兵団, Moto Heidan). It was formed on 10 July 1940 at Utsunomiya, Tochigi, simultaneously with 52nd, 54th, 55th, 56th, and 57th divisions. The 51st Division was initially assigned to the Eastern District Army and placed under command of Lieutenant General Kenichiro Ueno.

  1. ^ a b "51 Division (Japan)". Axis History Factbook. Retrieved 3 January 2011.

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