Wikipedia

Combined Fleet

"Rengō Kantai" redirects here. For other uses of this Japanese term, seeRengō Kantai (disambiguation).

TheCombined Fleet(Liên hợp hạm đội,Rengō Kantai)was the mainsea-goingcomponent of theImperial Japanese Navy.Until 1933, the Combined Fleet was not a permanent organization, but a temporary force formed for the duration of a conflict or major naval maneuvers from various units normally under separate commands in peacetime.

Combined Fleet
Liên hợp hạm đội(Rengō Kantai)
Rising Sun Flag
Active1894–1945
CountryEmpire of Japan
AllegianceEmperor of Japan
BranchImperial Japanese Navy
TypeSea-goingcomponent of theImperial Japanese Navy
EngagementsFirst Sino-Japanese War
Russo-Japanese War
World War I
Second Sino-Japanese War
World War II
Commanders
Notable
commanders		Tōgō Heihachirō
Isoroku Yamamoto
Insignia
Identification
symbol

Imperial Seal of Japanand Seal of the Imperial Japanese Navy

History

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Sino-Japanese War (1894–95)

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The Combined Fleet was formally created for the first time on 18 July 1894 by the merger of theStanding Fleetand the Western Fleet. The Standing Fleet (also known as the Readiness Fleet) contained the navy's most modern and combat-capable warships. The Western Fleet was a reserve force consisting primarily of obsolete ships deemed unsuitable for front-line combat operations, but still suitable for commerce protection and coastal defense. Vice-admiralItō Sukeyukiwas appointed the firstCommander-in-Chiefof the Combined Fleet[1]for the duration of thefirst Sino-Japanese Waragainst China.

Russo-Japanese War (1904–05)

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AdmiralTōgō Heihachirō,commander-in-chief of the Combined Fleet during theRusso-Japanese War.

The Combined Fleet was re-formed during theRusso-Japanese Warof 1904–05 to provide a unified overall command for the three separate fleets in the Imperial Japanese Navy. The1st Fleetwas the mainbattleshipforce, which formed the backbone of the navy and was intended to be used in a traditionalline of battleshowdown with an equivalent enemy battleship fleet (Kantai Kessen). The2nd Fleetwas a fast, mobile strike force witharmored cruisersandprotected cruisers.The3rd Fleetwas primarily a reserve fleet of obsolete vessels considered too weak for front-line combat service, but which could still be used in the operation toblockade Port Arthur.AdmiralTōgō Heihachirōwascommander-in-chiefof the Combined Fleet during the Russo-Japanese War.

Interwar years

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The Combined Fleet was not maintained as a permanent organization, but was temporarily created when necessary during fleet maneuvers or when called for by extraordinary circumstances. Thus, during the period from 1905 to 1924, the Combined Fleet was created only sporadically as the occasion or circumstances dictated, and disbanded immediately afterwards.

In 1924, the Imperial Japanese Navy declared in an edict on fleet organization that "for the time being" the Combined Fleet would be a standing organization consisting of the IJN 1st Fleet and IJN 2nd Fleet. As this was not intended to be "permanent" and since the commander of IJN 1st Fleet concurrently directed the Combined Fleet, the Combined Fleet was not given a Headquarters staff of its own.

From 1933, with theMukden Incidentand the increasing tension with China, a permanent HQ staff for the Combined Fleet was established. By the late 1930s, it included most of Japan's warships—only the base units, theSpecial Naval Landing Forces,and theChina Area Fleetlay outside the Combined Fleet.

World War II

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AdmiralIsoroku Yamamoto,commander-in-chief of the Combined Fleet during the early stage of thePacific War.

The Combined Fleet came under direct command of theImperial General Headquartersin 1937. With the start of thePacific Warwith theattack on Pearl Harborcarried out by Combined Fleet'sKido Butai(1st Air Fleet), the Combined Fleet became almost synonymous with the Imperial Japanese Navy, under the command of admiralIsoroku Yamamototill April 1943 when he died after his plane was shot-down by US air forces overBougainville Island.It comprised the battleships,aircraft carriers,aircraft,and the components that made up the main fighting strength of the IJN. It was first mobilized on the whole for theBattle of Midway.After the devastating carrier losses at Midway and in theSolomon Islands campaign,the navy re-organized into a number of "Area Fleets" for local operational control of various geographic zones. The Combined Fleet then evolved into more of an administrative organization.

As the war situation deteriorated for the Japanese and the territories controlled by the "Area Fleets" fell one after another to theUnited States Navy,theImperial General Headquartersand theImperial Japanese Navy General Staffacted to force the American fleet into a "decisive battle" in thePhilippinesper theKantai Kessenphilosophy. In the resultantBattle of the Philippine Seaand theBattle of Leyte Gulfthe Japanese fleet was severely depleted. The remnants of the Combined Fleet fled toOkinawa,but further operations were hindered by lack of fuel and air cover. By the time of the final suicide mission of thebattleshipYamatoinOperation Ten-Go,the Combined Fleet had ceased to exist as an effective combat force.

Commander-in-Chief ( tư lệnh trưởng quan,Shireichōkan)

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No. Portrait Commander-in-Chief Took office Left office Time in office
1
Itō, SukeyukiVice Admiral
Itō Sukeyuki
Y đằng hữu hừ
(1843–1914)		18 July 189411 May 1895297 days
2
Arichi, ShinanojōVice Admiral
Arichi Shinanojō[a]
Có mà phẩm chi duẫn
(1843–1919)		11 May 189516 November 1895[b]189 days
3
Tōgō, HeihachirōVice Admiral
(when appointed)
Admiral
(from 6 June 1904)
Tōgō Heihachirō
Togo Heihachiro
(1848–1934)		28 December 190320 December 1905[c]1 year, 357 days
4
Ijūin, GorōVice Admiral
BaronIjūin Gorō
Y tập viện Ngũ Lang
(1852–1921)		8 October 190820 November 190843 days
5
Yoshimatsu, ShigetarōVice Admiral
Yoshimatsu Shigetarō[ja]
Cát tùng mậu quá lang
(1859–1935)		1 November 191513 December 191542 days
(5)
Yoshimatsu, ShigetarōVice Admiral
Yoshimatsu Shigetarō[ja]
Cát tùng mậu quá lang
(1859–1935)		1 September 191614 October 191643 days
(5)
Yoshimatsu, ShigetarōAdmiral
Yoshimatsu Shigetarō[ja]
Cát tùng mậu quá lang
(1859–1935)		1 October 191722 October 191721 days
6
Yamashita, GentarōAdmiral
Yamashita Gentarō
Dưới chân núi nguyên quá lang
(1863–1931)		1 September 191815 October 191844 days
(6)
Yamashita, GentarōAdmiral
Yamashita Gentarō
Dưới chân núi nguyên quá lang
(1863–1931)		1 June 191928 October 1919149 days
7
Yamaya, TaninAdmiral
Yamaya Tanin
Sơn phòng người khác
(1866–1940)		1 May 192024 August 1920115 days
8
Tochinai, SojirōAdmiral
Tochinai Sojirō[ja]
栃 nội tằng thứ lang
(1866–1932)		24 August 192031 October 192068 days
(8)
Tochinai, SojirōAdmiral
Tochinai Sojirō[ja]
栃 nội tằng thứ lang
(1866–1932)		1 May 192131 October 1921183 days
9
Takeshita, IsamuVice Admiral
(when appointed)
Admiral
(from 3 August 1923)
Takeshita Isamu
Trúc hạ dũng
(1870–1949)		1 December 1922[d]27 January 19241 year, 57 days
10
Admiral
Kantarō Suzuki
Linh mộc quán quá lang
(1868–1948)		27 January 19241 December 1924309 days
11
Okada, KeisukeAdmiral
Okada Keisuke
Cương điền khải giới
(1868–1952)		1 December 192410 December 19262 years, 9 days
12
Katō, HiroharuVice Admiral
(when appointed)
Admiral
(from 1 April 1927)
Katō Hiroharu
Thêm đằng khoan trị
(1870–1939)		10 December 192610 December 19282 years
13
Taniguchi, NaomiAdmiral
Taniguchi Naomi[ja]
Cửa cốc thượng thật
(1870–1941)		10 December 192811 November 1929336 days
14
Yamamoto, EisukeVice Admiral
(when appointed)
Admiral
(from 1 March 1931)
Yamamoto Eisuke[ja]
Sơn bổn anh phụ
(1876–1962)		11 November 19291 December 19312 years, 20 days
15
Kobayashi, SeizōVice Admiral
(when appointed)
Admiral
(from 1 April 1933)
Kobayashi Seizō
Tiểu lâm tễ tạo
(1877–1962)		1 December 193115 November 19331 year, 349 days
16
Suetsugu, NobumasaVice Admiral
(when appointed)
Admiral
(from 30 March 1934)
Suetsugu Nobumasa
Mạt thứ tin chính
(1880–1944)		15 November 193315 November 19341 year
17
Takahashi, SankichiVice Admiral
(when appointed)
Admiral
(from 1 April 1936)
Takahashi Sankichi
Cao kiều tam cát
(1882–1966)		15 November 19341 December 19362 years, 16 days
18
Yonai, MitsumasaVice Admiral
Yonai Mitsumasa
Mễ nội quang chính
(1880–1948)		1 December 19362 February 193763 days
19
Nagano, OsamiAdmiral
Nagano Osami
Vĩnh dã tu thân
(1880–1947)		2 February 19371 December 1937302 days
20
Yoshida, ZengoVice Admiral
Yoshida Zengo
Cát điền thiện ngô
(1885–1966)		1 December 193730 August 19391 year, 272 days
21
Yamamoto, IsorokuVice Admiral
(when appointed)
Admiral
(from 15 November 1940)[e]
Yamamoto Isoroku
Sơn bổn 56
(1884–1943)		30 August 193918 April 1943[f]†3 years, 231 days
22
Koga, MineichiAdmiral[g]
Koga Mine'ichi
Cổ hạ phong một
(1885–1944)		21 May 194331 March 1944[h]†315 days
23
Toyoda, SoemuAdmiral
Toyoda Soemu
Phong điền phó võ
(1885–1957)		3 May 194429 May 19451 year, 26 days
24
Ozawa, JisaburōVice Admiral[i]
Ozawa Jisaburō
Tiểu trạch trị Tam Lang
(1886–1966)		29 May 194510 October 1945[j]134 days

Chief of Staff ( tham mưu trưởng,Sanbōchō)

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No. Portrait Chief of Staff Took office Left office Time in office
1
Samejima, KazunoriCaptain
Samejima Kazunori
Giao đảo viên quy
(1845–1910)		19 July 189417 December 1894151 days
2
Dewa, ShigetōCaptain
Dewa Shigetō
Ra vũ trọng xa
(1856–1930)		17 December 189425 July 1895220 days
3
Kamimura, HikonojōCaptain
Kamimura Hikonojō
Thượng thôn ngạn chi thừa
(1849–1916)		25 July 189516 November 1895114 days
4
Shimamura, HayaoCaptain
Shimamura Hayao
Đảo thôn tốc hùng
(1858–1923)		28 December 190312 January 19051 year, 15 days
5
Katō, TomosaburōRear Admiral
Katō Tomosaburō
Thêm đằng hữu Tam Lang
(1861–1923)		12 January 190520 December 1905342 days
6
Yamashita, GentarōCaptain
Yamashita Gentarō
Dưới chân núi nguyên quá lang
(1863–1931)		8 October 190820 November 190843 days
7
Yamanaka, ShibakichiRear Admiral
Yamanaka Shibakichi[ja]
Trong núi sài cát
(1870–1941)		1 November 191513 December 191542 days
8
Horiuchi, SaburōVice Admiral
Horiuchi Saburō[ja]
Quật nội Tam Lang
(1869–1933)		1 September 191614 October 191643 days
(8)
Horiuchi, SaburōVice Admiral
Horiuchi Saburō[ja]
Quật nội Tam Lang
(1869–1933)		1 October 191722 October 191721 days
9
Saitō, HanrokuRear Admiral
Saitō Hanroku[ja]
Trai đằng nửa sáu
(1869–1952)		1 September 191815 October 191844 days
10
Funakoshi, KajishirōRear Admiral
Funakoshi Kajishirō[ja]
Thuyền càng tiếp Tứ Lang
(1870–1962)		1 June 191928 October 1919149 days
11
Yoshioka, HansakuRear Admiral
Yoshioka Hansaku
Cát cương phạm sách
(1869–1930)		1 May 192031 October 1920183 days
(11)
Yoshioka, HansakuRear Admiral
Yoshioka Hansaku
Cát cương phạm sách
(1869–1930)		1 May 192131 October 1921183 days
12
Shirane, KumazoRear Admiral
Shirane Kumazō[ja]
Bạch căn hùng tam
(1876–1939)		1 December 19221 December 19231 year
13
Kabayama, KanariRear Admiral
Kabayama Kanari[ja]
Hoa sơn khá vậy
(1876–1932)		1 December 192310 November 1924345 days
14
Hara, KanjirōCaptain
(when appointed)
Rear Admiral
(from 1 December 1924)
Hara Kanjirō[ja]
Nguyên dám Nhị Lang
(1880–1948)		10 November 19241 December 19251 year, 21 days
15
Ōminato, NaotarōRear Admiral
Ōminato Naotarō[ja]
Đại thấu thẳng quá lang
(1879–1958)		1 December 19251 November 1926335 days
16
Takahashi, SankichiRear Admiral
Takahashi Sankichi
Cao kiều tam cát
(1882–1966)		1 November 19261 December 19271 year, 30 days
17
Hamano, EijirōRear Admiral
Hamano Eijirō[ja]
Tân dã anh thứ lang
(1880–1952)		1 December 192710 December 19281 year, 9 days
18
Terajima, KenRear Admiral
Terajima Ken
Chùa đảo kiện
(1882–1972)		10 December 192830 October 1929324 days
19
Shiozawa, KōichiRear Admiral
Shiozawa Kōichi
Diêm trạch hạnh một
(1881–1943)		30 October 19291 December 19301 year, 32 days
20
Shimada, ShigetarōRear Admiral
Shimada Shigetarō
Shimada phồn quá lang
(1883–1976)		1 December 19301 December 19311 year
21
Yoshida, ZengoRear Admiral
Yoshida Zengo
Cát điền thiện ngô
(1885–1966)		1 December 193115 September 19331 year, 288 days
22
Toyoda, SoemuRear Admiral
Toyoda Soemu
Phong điền phó võ
(1885–1957)		15 September 193315 March 19351 year, 181 days
23
Kondō, NobutakeRear Admiral
Kondō Nobutake
Gần đằng tin trúc
(1886–1953)		15 March 193515 November 1935245 days
24
Nomura, NaokuniRear Admiral
Nomura Naokuni
Dã thôn thẳng bang
(1885–1973)		15 November 193516 November 19361 year, 1 day
25
Iwashita, YasutarōRear Admiral
Iwashita Yasutarō[ja]
Nham hạ bảo quá lang
(1887–1937)		16 November 193618 February 1937 †94 days
26
Ozawa, JisaburōRear Admiral
Ozawa Jisaburō
Tiểu trạch trị Tam Lang
(1886–1966)		18 February 193715 November 1937270 days
27
Takahashi, IbōRear Admiral
Takahashi Ibō
Cao kiều y vọng
(1888–1947)		15 November 193715 November 19392 year
28
Fukudome, ShigeruRear Admiral
Fukudome Shigeru
Phúc lưu phồn
(1891–1971)		15 November 193910 April 19411 year, 146 days
29
Itō, SeiichiRear Admiral
Itō Seiichi
Y đằng chỉnh một
(1890–1945)		10 April 19411 August 1941113 days
30
Ugaki, MatomeRear Admiral
(when appointed)
Vice Admiral
(from 1 November 1942)
Ugaki Matome
Vũ viên triền
(1890–1945)		1 August 194122 May 19431 year, 294 days
31
Fukudome, ShigeruVice Admiral
Fukudome Shigeru
Phúc lưu phồn
(1891–1971)		22 May 19436 April 1944320 days
32
Kusaka, RyūnosukeRear Admiral
(when appointed)
Vice Admiral
(from 1 May 1944)
Kusaka Ryūnosuke
Thảo lộc long chi giới
(1893–1971)		6 April 194424 June 19451 year, 79 days
33
Yano, ShikazōRear Admiral
Yano Shikazō[ja]
Thỉ dã chí thêm tam
(1893–1966)		25 June 194525 September 194592 days

Vice Chief of Staff ( tham mưu phó trường,Sanbō fukuchō)

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No. Portrait Vice Chief of Staff Took office Left office Time in office
1
Kobayashi, KengoRear Admiral
Kobayashi Kengo[ja]
Tiểu lâm khiêm năm
(1893–1948)		11 June 194310 September 19441 year, 91 days
2
Takada, ToshitaneCaptain
(when appointed)
Rear Admiral
(from 15 October 1944)
Takada Toshitane[ja]
Cao điền lợi loại
(1895–1987)		20 September 194410 May 1945232 days
3
Yano, ShikazōRear Admiral
Yano Shikazō[ja]
Thỉ dã chí thêm tam
(1893–1966)		10 May 194525 June 194546 days
4
Matsubara, HiroshiRear Admiral
Matsubara Hiroshi[ja]
Tùng nguyên bác
(1896–1965)		10 June 194515 September 194597 days
5
Kikuchi, TomozōRear Admiral
Kikuchi Tomozō[ja]
Cúc trì triều tam
(1896–1988)		25 June 194515 September 194582 days

See also

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Footnotes

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  1. ^Created Baron on 5 June 1896.
  2. ^Forced into retirement on 21 October 1895 for boarding neutral vessels in search ofLiu Yongfu,the fugitive president of theRepublic of Formosa;Fleet dissolved.
  3. ^Fleet dissolved.
  4. ^Fleet recreated as permanent entity; given direct command over 1st Fleet.
  5. ^Promoted posthumouslytoMarshal Admiral.
  6. ^1st Fleet separated from direct command on 11 August 1941.
  7. ^Promoted posthumously to Marshal Admiral.
  8. ^Killed in actionwhenKawanishi H8K( "Emily" ) flying boat crashed during a typhoon betweenPalauandDavao.
  9. ^Refused promotion to Admiral.
  10. ^Fleet surrendered.

References

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Notes

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  1. ^Combined Fleet

Books

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  • D'Albas, Andrieu (1965).Death of a Navy: Japanese Naval Action in World War II.Devin-Adair Pub.ISBN0-8159-5302-X.
  • Dull, Paul S. (1978).A Battle History of the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1941–1945.Naval Institute Press.ISBN0-87021-097-1.
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