109th Division (Imperial Japanese Army)
The 109th Division was an infantry division of the Imperial Japanese Army. Its call sign was the Courage Division . It was formed on 24 August 1937 in Kanazawa as a square division, simultaneously with the 108th division. The nucleus for the formation was the 9th division headquarters. It was subordinated from the beginning to the Japanese Northern China Area Army.
American troops capture a Japanese flag
Nishi with Olympic steed, Uranus
The volcanic island of Iwo Jima being bombarded before its invasion
Colonel Baron Takeichi Nishi was an Imperial Japanese Army officer, equestrian show jumper, and Olympic Gold Medalist at the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics. He was a tank unit commander at the Battle of Iwo Jima and was killed in action during the defense of the island.
Takeichi Nishi
Nishi with his Olympic steed, Uranus
Takeichi Nishi with Uranus at the 1932 Summer Games
Nishi as young Army officer