Yaezō Akashiba (赤柴八重蔵; June 18, 1892 – January 9 , 1977 ) was born the second son of Terada Yazo and was adopted by Army Colonel Akashi Ikutaro. He attended Himeji Junior High School (now Hyogo Prefectural Himeji Nishi High School), Osaka Army Cadet School, and Central Cadet School before graduating from the Army Academy (24th class) in May 1912 . In December of the same year, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Infantry and assigned to the 40th Infantry Regiment. After serving in various positions, including the 2nd Battalion of the Provisional Infantry Deployment to Korea, he graduated from the Army War College (37th class) in November 1925.
After serving as company commander of the 80th Infantry Regiment, instructor at the Army Academy, staff officer of the 1st Division, attached to the Personnel Bureau of the Ministry of War, staff member of the Personnel Bureau, and on a business trip to Europe, he was promoted to Colonel in August 1936 and attached to the Army Academy. In July 1937, he became commander of the 10th Infantry Regiment and served in the Second Sino-Japanese War, participating in the Battle of Xuzhou. From March to April 7, 1938, he participated in the Battle of Taierzhuang, where, due to a misjudgment by the higher command, his troops were surrounded by enemy forces several times their size and nearly annihilated. After serving as commander of the Army Academy cadet corps, he was promoted to Major General in March 1939. After serving as an officer at the Army Academy, he was promoted to lieutenant general in October 1941 and appointed commander of the 25th Division, stationed in Manchuria.
In October 1943, he was appointed commander of the 1st Imperial Guard Division. He later became commander of the 53rd Army and prepared for the decisive battle on the Japanese mainland in Isehara, but the war ended before he could return. In December 1945, he was transferred to the reserve and served as head of the Tokyo branch of the Tokyo Demobilization Office until March of the following year.
Promotions
1936-08-01 Colonel
1939-03-09 Major-General
1941-10-15 Lieutenant-General
Service
1935-08-XX – 1936-08-01 Attached to the Personnel Bureau, Ministry of War
1936-08-01 – 1937-07-22 Attached to the Military Academy
1937-07-22 – 1938-07-15 Commanding Officer 10th Infantry Regiment
1938-07-15 – 1939-10-26 Commanding Officer Cadets, Military Academy
1939-10-26 – 1941-10-15 Executive Officer, Military Academy
1941-10-15 – 1943-10-29 General Officer Commanding 25th Division
1943-10-29 – 1945-04-07 General Officer Commanding 1st Imperial Guards Division
1945-04-07 – 1945-09-XX General Officer Commanding 53rd Army
1945-12-XX Retired
After serving as company commander of the 80th Infantry Regiment, instructor at the Army Academy, staff officer of the 1st Division, attached to the Personnel Bureau of the Ministry of War, staff member of the Personnel Bureau, and on a business trip to Europe, he was promoted to Colonel in August 1936 and attached to the Army Academy. In July 1937, he became commander of the 10th Infantry Regiment and served in the Second Sino-Japanese War, participating in the Battle of Xuzhou. From March to April 7, 1938, he participated in the Battle of Taierzhuang, where, due to a misjudgment by the higher command, his troops were surrounded by enemy forces several times their size and nearly annihilated. After serving as commander of the Army Academy cadet corps, he was promoted to Major General in March 1939. After serving as an officer at the Army Academy, he was promoted to lieutenant general in October 1941 and appointed commander of the 25th Division, stationed in Manchuria.
In October 1943, he was appointed commander of the 1st Imperial Guard Division. He later became commander of the 53rd Army and prepared for the decisive battle on the Japanese mainland in Isehara, but the war ended before he could return. In December 1945, he was transferred to the reserve and served as head of the Tokyo branch of the Tokyo Demobilization Office until March of the following year.
Promotions
1936-08-01 Colonel
1939-03-09 Major-General
1941-10-15 Lieutenant-General
Service
1935-08-XX – 1936-08-01 Attached to the Personnel Bureau, Ministry of War
1936-08-01 – 1937-07-22 Attached to the Military Academy
1937-07-22 – 1938-07-15 Commanding Officer 10th Infantry Regiment
1938-07-15 – 1939-10-26 Commanding Officer Cadets, Military Academy
1939-10-26 – 1941-10-15 Executive Officer, Military Academy
1941-10-15 – 1943-10-29 General Officer Commanding 25th Division
1943-10-29 – 1945-04-07 General Officer Commanding 1st Imperial Guards Division
1945-04-07 – 1945-09-XX General Officer Commanding 53rd Army
1945-12-XX Retired