World War II Armed Forces — Orders of Battle and Organizations

Last Updated 02.11.2006

Commanders of the Combined Fleet and Area Fleets
In cooperation with Jeff Donahoo

The format for names is Japanese style: rank; last name, first name; (if known, Japanese Naval Academy at Etajima class), note that traditionally it indicated the imperial year, which was based on the mythical founding of Japan by Emperor Jimmu in 660 BC. Dates are given thus: day.month.year Commanders marked with * are known to have died.

Combined Fleet       • Adm Yamamoto Isoroku (32) 30.08.39 – 18.04.43       • Adm Koga Mineichi (34) 21.04.43 – 31.03.44 deactivated 31.03.44 reactivated 03.05.44       • Adm Toyoda Soemu (33) 03.05.44 – 29.05.45       • V.Adm Ozawa Jisaburo (37) 29.05.45 – 09.45       • Adm. Toyoda Soemu 03.05.44 – 09.45

Central Pacific Area Fleet Headquarters: Saipan, Marianas activated 04.03.44 (previously 4th Fleet)       • *V.Adm Nagumo Chuichi (36) 04.03.44 – 08.07.44 Combined Fleet: 04.03.44 – 08.07.44 (deactivated)

North East Area Fleet activated 08.43       • V.Adm Totsuka Michitaro (38) 05.08.43 – 15.09.44       • V.Adm Goto Eiji (37) 15.09.44 – 05.12.44 Combined Fleet: 08.43 – 05.12.44 (deactivated)

South East Area Fleet Headquarters: Rabaul, New Britain, New Guinea activated 24.12.42       • V.Adm Kusaka Jinichi (37) 24.12.42 – 09.45 Combined Fleet: 24.12.42 – 09.45

South West Area Fleet Headquarters: Surabaya, Java       • V.Adm Takahashi Ibo (36) 20.04.42 – 15.09.42       • V.Adm Takasu Shiro (35) 15.09.43 – 18.06.44       • V.Adm Mikawa Guichi (38) 18.06.44 – 01.11.44       • V.Adm Okawauchi Denshichi (37) 01.11.44 – 01.45       • V.Adm Fukudome Shigeru (40) 01.45 – 05.02.45 Combined Fleet: 10.04.42 – 05.02.45 renamed 10th Area Fleet 05.02.45

10th Area Fleet activated 05.02.45 from South West Area Fleet       • V.Adm Fukudome Shigeru (40) 05.02.45 – 09.45 Combined Fleet: 05.02.45 – 09.45

China Area Fleet       • V.Adm Koga Mineichi (34) 01.09.41 – 10.11.42       • V.Adm Yoshida Zengo (32) 10.11.42 – 01.12.43       • V.Adm Kondo Nobutake (35) 01.12.43 – 15.05.45       • V.Adm Fukuda Ryozo (38) 15.05.45 – 09.45 Imperial General Headquarters: 11.41 – 25.04.45 Combined Fleet: 25.04.45 – 09.45