12 Facts About Masakazu Kawabe

Masakazu Kawabe was a general in the Imperial Japanese Army.

Masakazu Kawabe held important commands in the Imperial Japanese Army during the Second Sino-Japanese War, and during World War II in the Burma Campaign and defense of the Japanese homeland late in the war.

Masakazu Kawabe was the elder brother of General Torashiro Kawabe.

Masakazu Kawabe was then assigned as a military attache to Switzerland from 1918 to 1921 and to Berlin, Germany from 1929 to 1932.

Masakazu Kawabe went on to be Commandant of the Infantry School from 1933 to 1934, and was Chief of 1st Section within the Inspectorate General of Military Training from 1934 to 1936.

At the beginning of the Second Sino-Japanese War Masakazu Kawabe was sent to China to take command of the Permanent China Brigade, which had been involved in the Marco Polo Bridge Incident.

From 12 September 1939 to 14 October 1940 Masakazu Kawabe was recalled to Japan, and held the powerful post of Inspector-General of Military Training.

In March 1943, Masakazu Kawabe was transferred to the southern front as Commander in Chief of the Burma Area Army.

Masakazu Kawabe was relieved by General Heitaro Kimura on 30 August 1944 and returned to Japan.

Masakazu Kawabe served for a short time on the Supreme War Council.

Masakazu Kawabe became Commander in Chief of the Central District Army on 1 December 1944, he became Commander in Chief of the 15th Area Army from its formation on 1 February 1945 to 7 April 1945.

Masakazu Kawabe retired at the end of 1945 and died 20 years later.