86th Division (Imperial Japanese Army)

The 86th Division was an infantry division in the Imperial Japanese Army. Its call sign was the Pile Division. It was created 4 April 1944 in Kurume, simultaneously with the 44th and 81st divisions. It was a triangular division. The divisional backbone was the 56th division headquarters.

Action

The 86th division was assigned to the Western District Army upon formation, and garrisoned Miyakonojō. It was transferred to 57th army and tasked with the coastal defense of Shibushi, Kagoshima a year later, 8 April 1945. Because Operation Downfall was never implemented, the 86th division has spent time until surrender of Japan 15 August 1945 fortifying positions without seeing an actual combat.