IJA 1st Independent Mixed Brigade

Imperial Japanese Army's (IJA) 1st Independent Mixed Brigade or 1st Mixed Brigade, 獨立混成第1旅團 was an experimental combined arms formation with a tank component. In July 1937 at the beginning of the Second Sino-Japanese War, the brigade was known as the Sakai Brigade, for its commander, Lt. General Koji Sakai. The brigade participated in Battle of Taiyuan in late 1937. After being promoted lieutenant general Masaomi Yasuoka took command from 1938 to 1939.

The tanks, all but the 4th Tank Battalion, was pulled from the brigade in 1938. Major General Suzuki Teiji assumed command in 1941. By 1944 defense of the Japanese homeland prompted the creation of the inner line of defense extending northward from the Carolines, the Marianas, then the Ogasawara Islands and assigned to the 31st Army under General Hideyoshi Obata. The Volcano-Bonin Islands was placed under the newly created 31st Army and General Tadamichi Kuribayashi was chosen as the commander of the 109th Division. The 1st Mixed Brigade and the 2nd Mixed Brigade's were assigned to the 109th, commanded by General Kuribayashi. The 1st Mixed Brigade was stationed on Chichi-jima with the 109th HQ and the 2nd Brigade was moved to Iwo jima overseen by Kuribayashi.

The brigade consisted of the following units:

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