17th Division (Imperial Japanese Army)

The 17th Division (第17師団) was an infantry division in the Imperial Japanese Army. Its call-sign was the Moon Division (月兵団).

History
The 17th Division was formed in Himeiji in November, 1907, together with the 18th Division. From 1915 to 1927 it was stationed in Manchuria. It contributed to Japan's efforts against German positions in China in World War I, and participated in the Siberian Intervention.

However, in 1925, the 17th Division was one of the four division dissolved by Minister of War Ugaki Kazushige as part of a cost-saving measure during the Kato Takaaki administration.

The 17th Division was resurrected in April 1938 with the start of the Second Sino-Japanese War, and as part of the China Expeditionary Army participated in the Battle of Wuhan.

In 1943 it was re-assigned to the Southern Expeditionary Army Group, and was transferred to New Britain under command of the 8th Area Army headquartered in Rabaul. Its survivors surrendered on New Britain to American forces with the end of the Pacific War in August 1945.

Some of its more noteworthy commanders included Hyoe Ichinohe, Fusataro Hongo, and Yasushi Sakai.

Organization
The Order of Battle of the 17th Division included:
 * 53rd Infantry Regiment
 * 54th Infantry Regiment
 * 2nd Combined Infantry Regiment
 * 6th Combined Infantry Regiment
 * 23rd Field Artillery Regiment
 * 17th Construction Regiment
 * 17th Transport Regiment.

Reference and further reading

 * Madej, W. Victor, Japanese Armed Forces Order of Battle, 1937-1945 [2 vols], Allentown, PA: 1981