Naozaburo Okabe

Naozaburo Okabe (岡部 直三郎) was a General in the Imperial Japanese Army, who commanded the Japanese Sixth Area Army from November 1944 until the end of World War II. He died as a prisoner in Shanghai.

Life
Naozaburo Okabe became a Second Lieutenant in 1906 and participated in the Japanese intervention in Siberia (1918–1922). In the following years he held several positions in research and training, until August 26, 1937 when he became chief of staff of the Japanese Northern China Area Army. In July 15, 1938 he became commander of the 1st Division and on September 12, 1939 of the Mongolia Garrison Army, where his forces suffered a defeat during the Battle of Wuyuan.

He was recalled to Japan and became member of the Supreme War Council and commander of the Army War College.

On October 29, 1943 he returned to the battlefield and was appointed Commander of the Third Area Army (until August 1944), the Northern China Area Army (until November 1944) and the Sixth Area Army until the end of the war. He surrendered to the Chinese Army and died of illness in Shanghai Prison.