Kenji Doihara

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Kenji Doihara (1883-1948), an Imperial Japanese Army officer who served both in covert action and conventional command, was hanged in 1948 as a Class A war criminal, condemned by the International Military Tribual for the Far East. One of the Eleven Reliables, he was mentored by Prince Kanin.

Known informally as "Lawrence of Manchuria" for his ability to dress and act in the part. [1]

Early China

From 1913, he had served as a spy in northeastern China and Siberia,[2], and organized the assassination of Zhang Zuolin, a Chinese warlord.

Kwantung Army

Beginning in 1931, he was head of special services (i.e., clandestine human-source intelligence and covert action), first in Mukden, an appointment that signaled a raise in priority for operations there, and almost certainly a change in the role of Chang Hsueh-Liang. Indeed, he was involved in planning the Manchurian Incident. [3]

He moved to Harbin to become special services chief, briefly commanded the 9th Brigade, and then returned to head special services for the entire Kwangtung army.

He installed Henry Pu-Yi, the last emperor of China's Qing dynasty, as the puppet leader of Manchukuo.[4][5]

Conventional soldier

In March 1936, Doihara was appointed lieutenant general and chief of staff of the China Garrison army. In March 1937, he became general commanding officer of the 14th Division. From May 1939, he commanded 5th Army, China, returning to Japan in October 1940.

Japan

On his return, he took command of the Japanese Military Academy, then became Inspector General of Military Aviation in June 1941.

He participated in the 3 November 1941 Conference of Military Councillors, attended by Emperor Hirohito, at which the Japanese strategy for World War Two in the Pacific were formulated.[6] He was not, as sometimes reported, a member of the Supreme War Council, but did attend the Supreme War Council meeting of 4 November, in which Hirohito issued the order. [7]

He was the last Inspector General of Military Education {7 Apr 1945 - 25 Aug 1945).

References

  1. Bergamini, p. 541
  2. Bergamini, p. 415
  3. Bergamini, p. 415
  4. Terry Crowdy, The Enemy Within: A History of Spies, Spymasters and Espionage
  5. Bergamini, pp. 442-443, 450-451
  6. Bix, p. 423
  7. Bergamini, pp. 808-809