TO&E drawing, Japanese Infantry Company, IJA infantry regiment Type 2, 1945

On 28 February 1945 Imperial Japanese Army introduced new TO&Es for the divisions to be formed for the Homeland defense. 

Type 2 infantry regiments were to be formed for the "Mobile Striking Divisions" (機動打撃師団), intended to counter-attack US forces, that landed on the Japanese Islands (Type 1 infantry regiments were for the "Coastal Deployment Divisions" (沿岸配備師団) to defend the coastline proper).

Besides increased number of grenade dischargers, company and platoon organization of the new company was roughly similar to the standard infantry company organization from 1940.

But squad organization was a bit different. In 1945, the Infantry Training Inspectorate published "Infantry Combat Training", which officially introduced the so-called "group tactics". Now rifle squads were to be made up of 4, and grenade discharger squads - of 3 groups with its own designated leaders. Also grenade discharger groups now could be attached to the rifle squads, which was not allowed before (probably that was the reason for the increase of the number of grenade discharger teams in the squad). 

TO&E drawing of the infantry company of the Imperial Japanese Army 1940-1945

 TO&E drawing of the infantry company of infantry regiment of the Imperial Japanese Army according to the 1940 and 1943 mobilization plans.

This was the standard organization of Japanese infantry during 1940-1945. 

Compared to 1936 plan, strength of rifle platoons was reduced, but company services were increased in number. Number of firearms was also reduced: LMG gunners and loaders lost their pistols while grenade discharge gunners lost their rifles.

TO&E drawing of the draft of the new organization of the infantry company of the Type “A” IJA infantry regiment, 1936

 TO&E drawing of the draft of the new organization of the infantry company of the Type “A” infantry regiment of the Imperial Japanese Army, based on the 1936 document, acquired by the Soviet intelligence.

After few changes during 1937-39 this will become the standard organization, in which IJA infantry fought till the end of the Pacific War in 1945.

I’ve made 2 versions: one based on symbols of my own design, another based on NATO symbols with my symbols added.

TO&E drawing of the infantry company of the Type “A” IJA infantry regiment, 1936

TO&E drawing of the infantry company of the Type “A” infantry regiment of the Imperial Japanese Army, based on the original TO&E from Mobilization plan for 1937, approved in 1936. This is the organization in which IJA infantry went to war with China in 1937.

Organization of the infantry company of the Type “B” infantry regiments, which were formed on mobilization (they didn’t existed in peace-time), was essentially the same, but with only 4 grenade dischargers: which means two of three grenade discharger squads had only 1 grenade discharger each.

For purists: grenade discharger squads were not considered squads in IJA manuals (only “groups” or “units”). Probably that was the reason they were not led by non-commissioned officers.

Note, that IJA TO&Es does not provide detailed organization below company level – only general guidance and overall number of specialist personnel. That’s why some guesstimation was involved in making this TO&E.

I’ve made two versions of the TO&E drawing: one, based on well-known NATO symbols, another, based on symbols of my own design, which shows details on individual armament and special assignments.

UPDATE: Added another version of the TO&E drawing, combining NATO and mine symbols.

Click on the drawing to enlarge it.