TomitarÅ Horii
Horii Tomitaro (Japanese堀 井 富 太郎, born November 7, 1890 in the Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan, † November 23, 1942 in New Guinea ) was a major general in the Imperial Japanese Army.
Life
Born in Hyōgo Prefecture Horii graduated 1911, the Imperial Japanese Army Academy from and entered as an officer in the Imperial Japanese Army.
During the incident of January 28 in Shanghai following fights between 28 January and 4 March 1932 he was transferred to the headquarters of the expedition army Shanghai.
Between 1935 and 1937, Horii served in the 12th Infantry Regiment before 1938, after a promotion to Colonel in the previous year, took over the command of the 78th Infantry Regiment. In 1941 he was given the command of the 55th Division, which was part of the forces which took part in the Japanese invasion of Southeast Asia.
During the occupation of New Guinea took Horiis troops in 1942 in part in Operation MO to the conquest of Port Moresby, but could only land in the area around Buna and Garara after the Battle of the Coral Sea. Therefore, Horii led the 8,500 men of the 144th Regiment on the Kokoda Track to Port Moresby from country to conquer her. In the extremely rugged terrain, however, managed only a small group of soldiers of the Australian Army, who were stationed in the Kokoda Track campaign in the area to stop the Japanese and to engage in heavy fighting. After heavy losses Horii began to retreat with his troops in September. He drowned on 23 November in the river Kumusi when his boat capsized while crossing.