Masaharu Homma

Masaharu Homma
本間 雅晴
Homma during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines
Governor-General of the Philippines
In office
January 3, 1942 – June 8, 1942
Preceded byNewly established
Succeeded byShizuichi Tanaka
  • Japanese Military Administrator
  • Japanese Military Commander of the Philippines
In office
January 3, 1942 – January 23, 1942
Preceded byNewly established
Succeeded byJorge B. Vargas
Personal details
Born(1887-11-27)November 27, 1887
Sado, Niigata Prefecture, Empire of Japan
DiedApril 3, 1946(1946-04-03) (aged 58)
Los Baños, Laguna, Commonwealth of the Philippines
Cause of deathExecution by firing squad
Nickname"The Poet General"[1]
Military service
Allegiance Empire of Japan
Branch/service Imperial Japanese Army
Years of service1907–1943
Rank Lieutenant General
Commands
Battles/warsWorld War I
World War II

Masaharu Homma (本間 雅晴, Honma Masaharu, November 27, 1887 – April 3, 1946) was a lieutenant general in the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II. Homma commanded the Japanese 14th Army, which invaded the Philippines and perpetrated the Bataan Death March. After the war, Homma was convicted of war crimes relating to the actions of troops under his direct command and executed by firing squad on April 3, 1946.

  1. ^ Sides, Hampton (February–March 2007). "The Trial of General Homma". American Heritage. Rockville, MD: American Heritage Society. Retrieved August 26, 2019.