IJA 116th Division

116th Division
Active	1938 - 1945
Country	Empire of Japan
Branch	Imperial Japanese Army
Type	Infantry
Size	25000
Garrison/HQ	Kyoto
Nickname(s)	Storm division
Engagements	Battle of Wuhan Battle of Nanchang Zhejiang-Jiangxi campaign Battle of Changde Battle of Changsha (1944) Operation Ichi-Go Defense of Hengyang Battle of West Henan–North Hubei
Commanders
Notable commanders

The 116th Division (第116師団, Dai-hyakujūroku Shidan) was an infantry division of the Imperial Japanese Army. Its call sign was the Storm Division (嵐兵団, Ran Heidan). It was formed 15 May 1938 in Kyoto as a B-class square division, simultaneously with 106th division. The nucleus for the formation was the 16th division headquarters. The division was originally subordinated to the Central China Expeditionary Army.

The 116th division has landed in Shanghai 24 June 1938, and was immediately sent to the Dabie Mountains and Battle of Wuhan through Anqing. From March 1939, a small part of 116th division has also participated in the Battle of Nanchang. After the Central China Expeditionary Army was abolished, the division was reassigned to 13th army.

In the aftermath of the Doolittle Raid 18 April 1942, the 116th division has participated in the Zhejiang-Jiangxi campaign. In December 1942, the 138th infantry regiment was transferred to the 31st division, therefore the 116th division has become a triangular division.