1941. On 19 September 1941, the 8th Division was subordinated to the 20th Army to perform a defense duties at Soviet Union border, together with 25th Division. It remained in Manchukuo through most of the early stages of the Pacific War. In February 1944, a three detachments were formed (infantry battalion, artillery battalion and engineers company). These were combined into 11th Independent Mixed Regiment, and sent to Poluwat in June 1944, as the war situation in then Pacific grew increasingly difficult for Japan. Because of the lack of food and large number of wounded due American air raids, two of the three battalions were relocated to Truk in September 1944. In July 1944, the 8th Division was reassigned from Mudanjiang to the Philippines under the command of General Yamashita Tomoyuki's 14th Area Army. Sea transfer to Luzon started 10 August 1944 and was complete by 22 September 1944. The 5th Infantry Regiment of 8th Division was transferred to Leyte in late July 1944, and by late December 1944 was nearly completely annihilated during the course of the Battle of Leyte. The remainder of the division still in Luzon were assigned to the 41st Army on 1 January 1945 and suffered heavy losses during Battle of Manila in January 1945. The remnants of the 8th Division ceased fighting 2 September 1945 in Rodriguez, Rizal due surrender of Japan. Dissolution of the division was completed in December 1947. Notably, the Japanese holdout Hiroo Onoda, was from the 8th Division and did not surrender until 9 March 1974. See also List of Japanese Infantry Divisions References Madej, W. Victor. Japanese Armed Forces Order of Battle, 1937-1945 [2 vols]. Allentown, PA: 1981 This article incorporates material from the Japanese Wikipedia page 第8師団 (日本軍) Military units and formations established in 1898 Japanese World War II divisions Infantry divisions of Japan Military units and formations disestablished in 1947 1898 establishments in Japan 1947 disestablishments in Japan Hirosaki