sentences:  Although intended as a garrison force to maintain public order and to cover police duties in Japanese-occupied portions of northern China, due to the deteriorating situation in the Second Sino-Japanese War it was quickly reassigned to front-line combat duties under control of the 1st army, especially against the Chinese communist Eighth Route Army in Shanxi Province.The 37th Division was reassigned to the Japanese 12th Army on 31 March 1944 and was involved in Operation Ichi-go.It was transported by rail from Beijing to Hankou, entering Henan Province on 23 April 1944, occupying the city of Xuchang on 30 April 1944.