World War II Database

Contributor: C. Peter Chen

ww2dbaseHarukichi Hyakutake was born in Saga Prefecture, Japan. He graduated as an infantry officer from the Japanese Military Academy in 1909. He attended the Army War College in 1921, where he studied cryptanalysis, and was assigned to the Army's General Staff after graduation. Between 1925 and 1927, lieutenant colonel Hyakutake was the Japanese Resident Officer in Poland. In 1928, he served with the Kwantung Army in China. In 1932, he was a member of the staff of the signal school. Between 1932 and 1935, he was a section chief in the General Staff. Between 1935 and Mar 1936, he was the commanding officer of the 78th Infantry Regiment. Between Apr 1936 and Mar 1939, he was the Superintendent of the Hiroshima Military Prep School, during which time he was promoted to the rank of major general in Mar 1937. In Mar 1939, he commanded the Independent Mixed Brigade. In Aug 1939, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general. Between Apr 1940 and May 1942, he was the Inspector General of Signal Training. In May 1942, he was named the commanding officer of the 17th Army based in Rabaul, overseeing operations in the New Guinea and Solomon Islands area. After Eighth Area Army's General Hitoshi Imamura took over operations in the theater, Hyakutake directed Japanese army units solely in the Solomon Islands. He suffered a stroke during the Bougainville campaign in 1944 and was relieved of his duties. After the war, he returned to Japan in Feb 1946, and passed away little more than a year later.

Photographs

Harukichi Hyakutake Timeline

Visitor Submitted Comments

Show older comments