44th Division (Imperial Japanese Army)

The 44th Division (第44師団, Dai-yonjūyon Shidan) was an infantry division of the Imperial Japanese Army. Its call sign was the Orange Division (橘兵団, Tachibana Heidan)

44th Division
Active	1944 - 1945
Country	Empire of Japan
Branch	Imperial Japanese Army
Type	Infantry
Size	14000
Garrison/HQ	Osaka
Nickname(s)	Orange Division
Engagements	none

The 44th division was organized in 4 April 1944, simultaneously with the 81st and 86th divisions as a defiant action against popular Japanese Tetraphobia superstition. The nucleus was the headquarters of the 4th division. Originally the 44th division was assigned to Central District Army.

In March 1945, the 44th division was sent to Takahagi, Ibaraki, arriving 8 April 1945. The division was re-subordinated to 51st army 18 April 1945 and assigned to the role of the mobile reserve. The surrender of Japan 15 August 1945 has happened before the 44th division have any engagement with the enemy.

8

7

5
6

4

3

2

1

4

1GD
2GD
3GD

354

344

322

321

316

312

308

303

234

231

230

229

225
355

224

222

221

216

214

212

209

206

202

201

157

156

155

154

153

152

151

150

147

146

145

144

143

142

140

93

89

86

84

81

77

73

72

57
351

44

42

28

25

11
205

7

64

66

67

95

96

97

98

101

107

109

113

114

115

116

117

118

119

120

121

122

123

124

125

126

Independent Mixed Brigade

Infantry Division (including guard divisions)

Independent Armored Brigade

Armored division

Japanese infantry and armored units in Home Islands, 15 August 1945