The Pacific War Online Encyclopedia: Sasaki Minoru (original) (raw)
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The Pacific War Online Encyclopedia | |
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Sasaki Minoru (1893-1961)
Sasaki Minoru (Sasaki Noboru according to some sources) was commissioned as a cavalry officer in 1914. He studied in Russiaand Poland and held a number of administrative posts in the interwar years. Chief of staff of 6 Armywhen war broke out in the Pacific, he was recalled to staff work in Tokyo in August 1942 but was given command of Southeast Detachment in New Georgiain May 1943. Here he fought a prolonged and skillful defense against the American invasion in the summer of 1943.
... the speed of the [American] infantry advance was extremely slow. They waited the results of several days of bombardment before a squad advanced.
(Gilbert 2001)
After Mundafell, Sasaki's forces were ordered to retreat to Kolombangara, only to be bypassed by the Allied landings on Vella Lavella. His remaining forces escaped first to Choiseul (in early October 1943) and then to Rabaul. Sasaki was promoted to lieutenant general in October 1944, and survived the war to be interviewed by American historians.
Service record
| 1893 | Born | |
|---|---|---|
| 1914 | Second lieutenant | Commissioned as a cavalry officer |
| 1939 | Colonel | Main Army Armaments Factory |
| 1939-10 | Major general | Commander, 4 Cavalry Brigade |
| 1940-12-2 | Chief of staff, 6 Army | |
| 1942-8 | ArmoredWarfare Department, Ministry of War | |
| 1943 | Commander, Infantry Group, 38 Division | |
| 1943-5-31 | Commander, Nanto (Southeast) Detachment, Solomon Islands | |
| 1943 | 8 Area Army | |
| 1944-10 | Lieutenant general | |
| 1961 | Dies |
References
Generals.dk (accessed 2008-3-28)
Gilbert (2001)
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