China Area Fleet

The China Area Fleet (支那方面艦隊) was a fleet of the Imperial Japanese Navy organized after the Battle of Shanghai. It reported directly to the Imperial General Headquarters and had the same organizational level as the Combined Fleet. This article handles their predecessor fleet the Southern Qing Fleet (南清艦隊), China Expeditionary Fleet (遣支艦隊) and 1st/2nd Expeditionary Fleet (第一/第二遣外艦隊) also.

Commanders of the China Area Fleet

 * Chief of staff

1st China Expeditionary Fleet
The 1st China Expeditionary Fleet (第一遣支艦隊) was reorganized from the 3rd Fleet on 15 November 1939. Their role was the guard of the coast in China at first, however, it changed for the guard in the down stream area of the Yangtze River. Describe 3rd Fleet, 1st China Expeditionary Fleet and successor unit the Yangtze River Area Base Force (揚子江方面根拠地隊) in this section.
 * Structure (extract)

Commanders of the 3rd Fleet

Commander in chief 1st China Expeditionary Fleet and commander (Yangtze River Area Base Force)


 * Chief of staff (3rd Fleet and 1st China Expeditionary Fleet)

2nd China Expeditionary Fleet
The 2nd China Expeditionary Fleet (第二遣支艦隊) was reorganized from the 5th Fleet on 15 November 1939. The 5th Fleet was reinforcements for 3rd Fleet and 4th Fleet. Their role was the guard and invasion of South China. The 2nd China Expeditionary Fleet kept appearance of a fleet until the end of war.
 * Structure (extract)

Commanders of the 2nd China Expeditionary Fleet

 * Chief of staff

3rd China Expeditionary Fleet
The 3rd China Expeditionary Fleet (第三遣支艦隊) was reorganized from the 4th Fleet on 15 November 1939. The 4th Fleet was reinforcements for 3rd Fleet. Their role was the guard in Bohai Sea. Describe 4th Fleet and 3rd China Expeditionary Fleet in this section. The 3rd China Expeditionary Fleet was specialization to guard unit for Qingdao and become extinct.
 * Structure (extract)

Commanders of the 4th Fleet

Commanders of the 3rd China Expeditionary Fleet


 * Chief of staff

Organizations of pre-China Area Fleet
Describe about pre-China Area Fleet in this section. The Southern Qing Fleet, China Expeditionary Fleet, 1st Expeditionary Fleet and 2nd Expeditionary Fleet were ancestor of China Area Fleet.

Southern Qing Fleet
The Southern Qing Fleet (南清艦隊) was organized after the Russo-Japanese War. They were reinforced by Xinhai Revolution in 1911, however, Beiyang Government declared neutrality in World War I. All gunboats were detained, and Southern Qing Fleet became extinct before long.
 * Structure (extract)


 * Commander


 * Chief of staff

China Expeditionary Fleet/1st Expeditionary Fleet
The 1st Expeditionary Fleet (第一遣外艦隊) was reorganized on 9 August 1919 from China Expeditionary Fleet (遣支艦隊). Their ancestor was 7th Division (第七戦隊) under World War I. They became 11th Division only for gunboats and became extinct.


 * Structure (extract)


 * Commander

2nd Expeditionary Fleet
The 2nd Expeditionary Fleet (第二遣外艦隊) was organized on 16 May 1927 for reinforcements for 1st Expeditionary Fleet. Their role was the guard of Northern China.
 * Structure (extract)


 * Commander