First Air Army (Japan)


The First Air Army was part of the Japanese Imperial Army during World War 2. It had its headquarters in Tokyo, basing in the Kanto Plain. The 1st was responsible for covering the Japanese home islands, Taiwan, Korea, Kuril Islands, and South Sakhalin.

History

Formed under Military Ordinance Order No 31 on 13 April 1942 and initially headquartered at Gifu on 5 June 1942 before being relocated to Miyakezaka, Tokyo in response to the allied airstrikes on mainland japan. In July July 1944, the Headquarters was moved to the main building of Seikei University, Musashino-shi.
On 8 April 1945, in accordance with Operation Ketsugō (決号作戦, ketsugō sakusen), the countermeasure plan of Operation Downfall, the 1st together with the 2nd, 5th, and 6th Air Armys were transferred to the Headquarters of the Army Air Force. It remained under their command until the end of the war.

Commanders

Units

The Air Army was made up of two or more Air Corps plus some Independent Units. Each Air Division consisted of an Air Brigade together with base and support units and a number of Independent Squadrons. Each Air Brigade had two or more Air Combat Groups. The Air Combat Group was a single-purpose unit consisting typically of three Squadrons, divided into three flights of three aircraft each.