el cid again
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Joined: 10/10/2005
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AE presents, correctly at the lower levels, a JAAF organized (when the Pacific War begins)
into Sentais (more or less groups, typically of 3 squadrons) plus independent Chutais (or companies)
and occasionally Shotai's (detachments). [A Sentai is a short version of Hiko Sentai - more or
less 'air group']
It also partially presents higher organization. The next higher organization is the Air Division
[Hikodan] or, if combined with ground and support elements, the Air Corps [Hiko Shudan].
In 1942 the Air Corps is renamed something else again - ALSO translated as Air Division -
which it should not be - since it is a different term for a higher echelon from the Hikodan.
This is the Hiko-Shidan. Since AE presents these names in English (except for the Sentai and
Chutai) - it is hard to know what is meant by Air Division? Finally - the highest level is the
Air Army - or Koku gun. It might be better to use either all Japanese names, or to use English
terms like Wing. To make matters worse, the different usages at different times seem to
be somewhat mixed up in the data set.
In 1942, when Air Division first is used as a term, there are only five. These correspond to
major areas of air operations, as one might logically expect. The Home Islands were the
First Air Division - HQ at Tokyo - also as one might expect. The Second Air Division is at that
time the air force of Kwangtung Army. Third and Fifth Air Divisions are pretty accurately
assigned - as is the Second. But for raeasons unclear the First is not. It appears in 1943
and is restricted to the Northern Area - which indeed became its zone in 1943. In 1941
its components are instead assigned to the 51st Air Division - which I cannot explain at all.
It appears that 51st substantially should be substituted for 1st in terms of date of appearance,
although the HQ location changes - but all units assigned after Jan 1943 still belong to it.
It is all the start and 1942 units that belong to 1st Air Division.
Later nuances I have not yet worked out. However, there is this: the airborne command is missing
altogether. Germany had a training mission in Japan re airborne (110 strong). They recommended
something the Germans never put in to practice themselves. Although airborne theorists say they
were right, WE never did it either. It is to assign the aircraft units and the airborne ground units to
a single operational command. Since Japan did it - and since its the dedicated transport and glicer
air units were assigned to it - it might be good to put it in. This command was called Tieshin Shudan
or "raiding group." Note this was a JAAF creature - so it did not control Navy (or some call em "marine")
airborne units.
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