Sagami Depot
Sagami Depot is located in the city of Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture, Honshu, Japan.
The US Army Facility Sagami, often called the Sagami Depot, is a former Japanese military establishment. The Sixth Arsenal of the Imperial Japanese Army was established in 1935 and later became known as the Sagami Army Arsenal. During World War II, the Sagami Arsenal was one of the largest industrial developments constructed by the Japanese Government to manufacture tanks for their armies. In addition to the construction of hundreds of buildings and elaborate tunnels; underground excavations were devised to accommodate the more critical activities. The Sixth Arsenal of the Imperial Japanese Army was established 1935 in Sagami under Colonel Ikeda as a branch of the Tokyo First Army Arsenal. In 1936 it became a separate activity, commanded by Lt General Takasu Okada, and it was renamed the Sagami Army Arsenal. Plant 10, Building No. 171-1 was used for the production of tanks. Right before the end of World War II, the first 100 ton tank was completed in this building; however, the tank was too heavy to be moved to Yokohama Port.
Many other items were also made at the Sagami Arsenal. Of particular interest were the fire bombs carried by free balloons which drifted across the Pacific to start forest and other fires in Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia. Component parts were made in what is now Plant Three, the Box and Crate Shop of the Care and Preservation Branch, and assembled in Bldg 166-1. These balloons were launched from the Chiba Peninsula, across the bay from Tokyo. Tractors, shells, gauges, and an airborne guided missile were also produced at the Arsenal.
Several reminders of the old Sagami Arsenal are still visible today. By far, the most prominent and charming is what is now known as Shrine Park. The Arsenal at its peak employed approximately 11,300 Japanese personnel. A ground breaking ceremony was held 30 June 1942. Employees from the various areas of Japan collected plants, shrubbery, stone and trees from their hometowns to place in the park surrounding the shrine.
http://www.globalsecurity.org/milita...gami-depot.htm