In the 1950s, at the initial stage of the construction of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces, they were mainly armed with the American Combat vehicles, including light tanks M24 and M41, as well as medium M4A3 and M47.

However, already in 1954, Japan began developing its own medium tanks of the first post-war generation. From 1957 to 1962, several prototypes were made under the indexes from ST-A1 to ST-A4. On the one hand, their design continued the pre-war traditions. Japanese tank building connected with the installation of an air-cooled diesel engine in the rear of the hull with the front drive wheels, on the other hand, it is quite obvious that the American M47 tank served as the prototype for the design.

When developing the tank, in addition, Japanese specifics were also taken into account. Due to the fact that Japan is predominantly mountainous country with few plains, the focus was on the maneuverability of the tank. It was also necessary to make it as light and small as possible due to the restrictions imposed by the nature of the road network, the low carrying capacity of most bridges and the fact that the country's railways have a reduced gauge. When determining the size of the tank, it was also taken into account that the Japanese were mostly short.

TANK "61"

In 1962, a new medium tank was put into service under the brand name "61". It was in serial production from 1962 to 1972. During this time, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries produced 560 units. On the basis of the 61 tank, the 67 bridgelayer, the 67 sapper tank and the 70 BREM were developed and mass-produced. In connection with the entry into the troops in the second half of the 1990s of tanks "90", tanks "61" were withdrawn from service. By 2000, there were no more of them in the Self-Defense Forces.

TANK 74: DEVELOPMENT

The development of a new medium tank was started by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in 1962 and was carried out as part of a program that provided for the strengthening of the 61 tank fleet with new vehicles, and then its complete replacement. After seven years of research and development work, the first two ST-B1 prototypes were manufactured in September 1969. They took into account all the then achievements of world tank building, as well as implemented numerous original developments of Japanese designers: automatic gun loader, system remote control anti-aircraft machine gun, new hydromechanical transmission, hydropneumatic suspension of road wheels and much more. Until 1973, a series of prototypes were made from ST-B1 to ST-B6, the design of which became more and more simplified as the design progressed. The tank was adopted by the Japanese Self-Defense Forces in 1975 under the designation "74", in the same year its serial production began. From 1975 to 1991, 873 units were manufactured.

TANK "74": CONSTRUCTION

The layout of the "74" tank is classic, with the engine compartment located aft. Unlike tank "61" on "74", the driver is located in the bow of the hull on the left. The hull is welded from rolled armor plates, the tower is a cast hemispherical shape, outwardly resembling towers Soviet tanks, as well as the turrets of the AMX-30 and Leopard-1 tanks. The maximum thickness of the frontal armor of the hull is 110 mm, the angle of inclination of the frontal plate to the vertical is 65 °. The gun has a concentric recoil device and is stabilized in two planes. Aiming a gun at a target and shooting can be carried out by both the tank commander and the gunner. The complex of sighting devices of the tank includes a combined (day / night) commander's periscope sight, which has a built-in ruby laser rangefinder with a measurement range of 300 to 4000 m, the gunner's main periscope combined sight J-3 and an auxiliary telescopic articulated monocular gunner sight. Night vision devices of an active type, illumination is produced using a xenon searchlight installed to the left of the gun. The tank's ammunition consists of 55 rounds, 4500 rounds of 7.62 mm and 660 rounds of 12.7 mm. Tank "74" is equipped with a two-stroke diesel 10-cylinder, V-shaped air-cooled engine "Mitsubishi" 10ZF 22WT, turbocharged. Its power is 720 hp. With. (529 kW) at 2200 rpm.

In the aft part of the tank, in a single block with the engine, there is a mechanical planetary transmission "Mitsubishi" MT 75A with frictional gears (6 + 1) and a differential steering mechanism. The suspension of the tank is hydropneumatic, adjustable, the ground clearance varies from 200 to 650 mm, the body trim is ± 6 °, the roll is ± 9 °. Installation of elastic suspension elements is made inside the body. The track tension can be adjusted from the driver's seat using a hydraulic tensioning mechanism. The tank is equipped with a system of protection against weapons of mass destruction, an automatic PPO system and OPVT equipment.

The combat weight of the tank is 38 tons. The maximum speed is 53 km / h, the cruising range on the highway is 300 km. The car's crew consists of four people. The limited carrying capacity of the chassis and the relatively low engine power did not allow upgrading the tank by increasing the level of armor protection and installing more powerful weapons, as was done in most European states and the United States. Nevertheless, "74" still remains the backbone of the armored forces of the Self-Defense Forces: as of 2010, there were 560 tanks of this type in combat units.

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Chinese light amphibious tank "Ture 63"

In the 1930s. Japanese armored units were given the opportunity to test their strength in a combat situation - in China. In 1935, a mixed mechanized brigade operated near Shanghai, and in 1937, together with the 3rd tank regiment, in the north. The republic of china... In Manchuria, then only about 400 tanks were used.

In battles with Soviet units on the Khalkhin Gol River in 1939, the Japanese used a group of Type 89 medium tanks under the command of Colonel Yoshimaro (two companies of 10 tanks each) from the 3rd Tank Regiment and a group of Type 95 light tanks. -Go "(three companies of 10 vehicles each) under the command of Colonel Tamada from the 4th tank regiment. The tanks were supported by artillery, an anti-aircraft battery, sappers, and transport units.

During the July battles, the complete superiority of Soviet armored vehicles over Japanese was revealed. The maneuverable BT-7 tanks and BA-10 armored vehicles, due to their faster-firing guns, had a better chance of surviving in a direct collision than their opponents from the Land of the Rising Sun.

On December 7, 1941, the Japanese launched an invasion of the Philippines and Malaya. On December 10, the advance units of the 14th Army of General Homm began to land on the island. Luzon, and on December 22-24, the main forces of the army landed. In the Philippines, Japanese tanks first encountered American tanks - from November 1941 a tank group of 180 M3 "Stuart" tanks and 50 75-mm T12 self-propelled guns were deployed on Luzon. The Japanese landed here units of the 4th and 7th tank regiments and several tank companies. The tanks were delivered to the shore on landing barges and immediately left them ashore. From the first clashes on December 22 and 31, 1941 until the last battle on April 7, 1942, the light "Ha-go" played the main role here, although the medium "Chi-ha" also took part in the hostilities. Usually tanks led infantry attacks, sometimes making quick dashes to objects already captured by paratroopers to finally break down enemy resistance.

Units of the 7th Panzer Regiment captured several light "Stewarts". The trophies of the Japanese were the T12 self-propelled guns (on the chassis of half-track armored personnel carriers), which in 1944-1945. they used the Philippines against the Americans. The withdrawal of the American-Philippine group of forces to the fortifications on the Bataan Peninsula brought the Japanese actions to an assault on the peninsula and the island-fortress of Corregidor. In the battles on Bataan, "Chi-ha" acted more actively, sometimes using smoke grenade launchers. After the capture of Bataan, an amphibious force was formed to land on Corregidor. Previous battles showed low efficiency of 57-mm Chi-ha guns in tank battles with highly mobile, maneuverable "stewarts", moreover, capable of firing from long distances. Therefore, in addition to the "Chi-ha" company, the detachment included two "Shinhot Chikha", delivered earlier to Bataan and introduced into the 7th tank regiment. It is curious to note that the commander of this tank company, Major Matsuoka, operated on the captured Stuart. The landing on May 5, 1942 on Corregidor was the combat debut of the Shinhoto Chi-ha.

The Japanese 25th Army of Lieutenant General Yamashita, which invaded Malaya and had 211 tanks in the 1st, 6th and 14th tank regiments, was rapidly advancing towards about. Singapore. An attack on the island from the north, that is, from the land side, was considered impossible by the British, especially with the use of tanks. The Japanese thought differently. The rugged, jungle-covered terrain really made it very difficult for the machines to operate, they had to move mainly in columns along rare roads. Under these conditions, tanks were also used as a vehicle for transporting property. As a camouflage, the crews used "skirts" made of palm leaves or other vegetation, reinforcing them on the hulls and towers.

The losses of tanks were insignificant, which was aided by the enemy's lack of anti-tank weapons and the dominance of Japanese aviation in the air.

The operation began on December 7, and already on the 11th 1st Panzer Regiment successfully attacked the Jitra line of defense. According to the British, the appearance of the Japanese medium tanks of the 6th Panzer Regiment on January 7, 1942 at Kuala Lumpuru in Silanogre "caused indescribable confusion." Japanese tanks crossed the river and not only broke through the British defenses, but also captured rich trophies, including serviceable armored vehicles and light armored personnel carriers. To support the units that crossed the 9 February to Singapore, the Japanese led tanks across the Johor Strait along the railway dam. On February 15, Singapore was captured by Japanese troops, and tanks played a big role in this.
In the battles in Burma (January 21 - May 20, 1942), General Ida's 15th Japanese army used tanks from the 1st, 2nd and 14th tank regiments. On April 29, they cut the Burmese road, and on April 30 they entered the city of Lashio, an important communications hub. In Burma, Japanese tankers took part in battles with the "stewarts" of the British 7th Hussars. In addition, the T-26 of the Chinese 200th mechanized division operated here, but they did not participate in tank battles with the Japanese.

After the landing on August 7, 1942, the 1st Division marines USA on about. Guadalcanal (in the Solomon Islands group) and its advance into the interior of the island, the Japanese on October 16 landed Sumimoshi's troops on the island, reinforced by the 1st separate tank company, which was manned by veterans of the 4th company of the 2nd tank regiment. After a series of local skirmishes on October 26, the Japanese attempted to cross the Matenika River and attack the US Marine positions on the opposite bank. Of the 12 Chi-ha that tried to wade across the river, most were lost to the fire of 37-mm anti-tank guns. Actually, this was the end of the tank battles. The Japanese did not manage to transfer reinforcements from Rabaul, and on February 1 - 7, 1943, they secretly evacuated from Guadalcanal.
1943 was a turning point - both Germany in Europe and Japan in Asia and the Pacific were forced to go over to strategic defense. Japanese garrisons on the Mariana Islands, which were part of inner belt defenses of the Land of the Rising Sun and were of strategic importance, were reinforced by units of the 9th tank regiment of Colonel Hideki Goto: the 1st and 2nd companies (29 tanks "Ha-go" and "Chi-ha") were on about. Guam, 3rd, 5th and 6th - on about. Saipan. In addition, on the latter were stationed "Ha-go" of a separate tank company of the airborne detachment, and on Guam - the 24th separate tank company (9 tanks). There were also floating Ka-mi, and the anti-tank system used 47-mm Type 1 cannons.

On June 15, 1944, an American assault force landed on Saipan as part of the 2nd and 4th Marine Divisions with amphibious tanks, on June 16, the 27th Infantry Division. The Japanese used their tanks for counterattacks in conjunction with the infantry, but suffered heavy losses from infantry anti-tank weapons and M4 Sherman tanks. On June 16, Vice Admiral Nagumo ordered another counterattack. Under the command of Colonel Goto, 44 tanks were sent to the island together with the 136th Infantry Regiment: "Ha-go", "Chi-ha", "Shinhoto Chi-ha" from the 9th Panzer Regiment and "Ka-mi" from the airborne tank company. The tanks secretly landed in the rear of the American Marine Corps entrenched on the west coast, but on the pebble beaches of the Garapan they made a lot of noise with their tracks. The Marines managed to call a Sherman platoon and several MZ self-propelled anti-tank installations. The Japanese lost 11 tanks on the beach. Nevertheless, at 2 a.m. on June 17, 40 Japanese tanks with armored infantry (a tactical technique rare for the Japanese) launched an attack. They had to move in open areas. Some of the tanks reached the positions of the Marine Corps, but by the light of the illuminating shells fired from the ships, the Americans knocked out several tanks with the fire of Bazooka rocket-propelled grenade launchers and 37-mm anti-tank guns. The rest, trying to bypass the wrecked cars, got stuck in swampy places and soft ground and turned out to be motionless targets. After a counterattack by the American marines with tanks and self-propelled guns, the Japanese had only 12 tanks - 6 "Chi-ha" and "Ha-go" each. Some of them died on June 24 in an unequal battle with the "Shermans" (company "C" of the 2nd tank battalion of the Marine Corps), the rest - a little later in clashes with the M5A1 "Stuart" army units (according to other sources - from 37-mm fire anti-tank guns). Saipan was captured by the Americans only by 9 July and cost both sides heavy losses.

When the 3rd Marine Division and the 77th US Infantry Division landed on Guam on June 21, Japanese forces on the island included 38 Ha-go and Chi-ha tanks, concentrated off the west coast, where the Americans landed. Only "Ha-go" took part in the first clashes, although "Snee" would have been more useful - light tanks were quickly knocked out. 11 "Chi-ha" of the 2nd company of the 9th regiment, which was at the beginning of the landing as part of the 48th separate mixed brigade at Agana, was pulled to Taraga on the northern coast. They were used to support infantry in night attacks. A successful attack was carried out, for example, by five Chi-ha on the night of August 8-9 at position marines, whose bazookas were disabled due to the rain. But the very next day the American Shermans attacked a Japanese strongpoint, knocked out two tanks and captured seven - they were either out of order or had no fuel. On August 10, the Japanese stopped resistance in Guam.

Saipan and Guam became the site of the most intensive use of Japanese tanks in the Pacific theater of operations. On June 16, they carried out their last massive attack on Saipan. The battles here also demonstrated the complete inadequacy of the Chi-ha to the requirements of the time - these tanks were easily knocked out by the fire of American bazookas, tank and anti-tank guns, there were cases of destruction of these vehicles by the fire of large-caliber machine guns and rifle grenades.

In the Philippines at the disposal of the 14th Army (14th Front) medium tanks "Chi-ha" and "Shinhoto Chi-ha" arrived from Manchuria in January 1944 as part of the 2nd Panzer Division. Soon the 11th Tank Regiment was reinforced with the Shinhoto Chi-ha, renamed the 27th Separate Tank Regiment, and sent to Okinawa. Thus, on about. Luzon was left with three tank regiments (each with one light company and one with two companies of medium tanks) - a total of 220 tanks, including the Shinhot Chi-ha, as well as the Ho-ni and Ho-ro self-propelled guns. On Leyte Island there were light "Ha-go" and several outdated medium "Type 94" of the 7th separate tank company. These forces were to face more than 500 American tanks and ACS.

On October 20, 1944, four infantry divisions of the 6th American Army landed on about. Leite, and by December 28 the fighting there had already ended. Medium Type 94s were lost while trying to recapture the runways. It is worth noting here that the struggle for the Pacific islands was not so much an attempt to take control over key points of sea communications, but rather to seize airfields. After the Japanese tanks on Leyte Island could not carry out a single more or less successful counterattack and were mostly knocked out, General Yamashita decided to use them on Luzon as stationary firing points, distributing infantry units to strong points and setting the task to delay the advance American parts. The tanks were dug in and carefully camouflaged; several reserve positions were prepared for them. For camouflage, the crews pulled wire nets onto the hull and tower, onto which branches, leaves, and grass were attached. The protection of the frontal part of the turret was increased by hanging spare tracks, which, in principle, was uncharacteristic for Japanese tankers. Machines prepared in this way served as the core of strongholds that differed from each other in size and strength. So, the point at Urdanet had 9 combat units, the Shigemi detachment near San Manuel - 45 (7th tank regiment, mainly Shinhot Chi-ha), Ida detachment at Munoz - 52 (6th tank regiment).

The landing of the 1st and 14th corps of the 6th American army on Luzon began on January 9, 1945. On January 17, a tank battle took place near Linman-Hansen - the Shermans of the C company of the 716th American tank battalion knocked out 4 Shinhot Chi -ha "7th tank regiment of the Japanese. On January 24, the same American tank company attacked the Shigemi detachment near San Manuel, supported by 105mm M7 self-propelled howitzers.

On the morning of January 28, the 30 remaining vehicles of this detachment, accompanied by infantry, launched a counterattack, but most of them were hit by tanks and self-propelled guns, and the Americans themselves lost only three Shermans and one M7. On January 30, a convoy of 8 Chi-ha and 30 vehicles breaking through from the encirclement was shot at Umungan.

Ida's detachment has also fought in encirclement since February 1. The attempt to break through was stopped by the fire of American artillery and light tanks - "Stuarts". All Japanese tanks were hit. The 10th tank regiment was also unlucky - on January 29, its column came under fire from the M10 self-propelled guns of the 637th American anti-tank battalion, which knocked out four Shinhot Chi-ha. By May 5, the Americans had destroyed in the Philippines 203 Chi-ha and Shinhot Chi-ha, 19 Ha-go, 2 Ho-ro. The 2nd Panzer Division carried out the order, delaying the advance of the Americans into the interior of the island, but paid too high a price for it - it simply ceased to exist.

After the capture of the Philippines, the focus of the American command shifted to the islands of Formosa, Okinawa and Iwo Jima, which could serve as air bases for a direct attack on the Japanese islands. On February 19, 1945, the 5th American Airborne Corps, supported by 200 amphibious tanks, began landing on the island. Iwo Jima. The 27th Japanese tank regiment was stationed here, which had 28 tanks - mainly "Chi-ha" and "Shinhoto Chiha". Lieutenant Colonel Nishi, who commanded them, intended to use the Shinhoto Chi-ha as nomadic anti-tank guns, which generally corresponded to the situation and the capabilities of the tanks. However, more often they were used in dug-out stationary positions. Unable to retreat, these tanks were soon hit by artillery or bazooka fire from the 1st Independent Tank Company, the US Marine Corps. However, at least one stronghold, in which there were three "Shinhot Chi-ha", put up very stubborn resistance. It is no coincidence that the battles on the small island continued until March 26. Following this, on April 1, the Americans landed four divisions of the 3rd Airborne and 24th Corps on the west coast of Okinawa. Landing force included more than 800 tanks and self-propelled guns, as well as a large number of amphibious tanks and armored personnel carriers. The Japanese 32nd Army had here only the units of the already mentioned 27th Tank Regiment, stationed in the northern part of the island - only 13 "Ha-go" and 14 "Shinhot Chi-ha".

Almost all of these vehicles were lost in a counterattack attempt on 5 May. The fighting in Okinawa went on until June 21, but the tanks no longer took part in the most fierce battles.

After the defeat of the 2nd Panzer Division in the Philippines, the Japanese command did not risk the remaining units and transfer additional tanks to Okinawa (and the very possibility of this, due to the complete domination of the Americans at sea, was more than doubtful), although the island was considered ethnically Japanese territory. This is how it ended fighting Japanese armored forces in the Pacific.

On the continent, hostilities took place in Burma and China. In Burma, after several "trial" operations in 1943, the Allies at the beginning next year went on the offensive. By the beginning of the battles with the British-Indian and American-Chinese troops, the tank forces of the Japanese were only the 14th Panzer Regiment. Moreover, his 4th company was armed with captured "stewarts", but after battles with British tanks, the company was reinforced with the "Shinhoto Chi-ha". In this composition, this unit participated in battles with the Americans near Mit'kina in the first days of August 1944. In March 1945, the last Japanese tanks in Burma were lost in clashes with the Shermans on the Mit'kina-Mandalay road. By May 6, the Allies had completely recaptured Burma.

The 3rd Japanese tank division was based in China, which included the 5th (8th and 12th regiments) and 6th (13th and newly formed 17th regiments) tank brigades. In 1942 - 1943. the Japanese used tanks occasionally in counterinsurgency operations, in private offensives against the 8th People's Liberation Army of China in the Border District, against the Kuomintang troops in the Yichang area. The 8th regiment in 1942 was transferred to about. New Britain.

During the autumn offensive of 1943 in China, units of the 3rd Panzer Division were used to capture airfields, from which at that time B-29 bombers began raids on industrial facilities in Manchuria and about. Kyushu. In 1944, the 6th tank brigade was withdrawn from the division and sent to the Mongol border, so that from the actual tank units, the 3rd division retained only the 12th regiment. In this form, it was attached to the 12th Army. After the inclusion of two more motorized infantry regiments in its composition, the division turned into a mechanized or reinforced motorized one rather than a tank one. But it was at this time that decisive tasks began to be posed before the tank units.

In April 1944, an offensive against the Kuomintang troops began in the direction of Luoyang, Xin'an and along the Hankou - Changsha - Henyang - Canton railway. Its task was to seize the highway leading to the Korean coast and in the direction of Hanoi, the subsequent defeat of the Chinese troops and the connection of the Northern, Central and Southern fronts of the Japanese expeditionary forces. Within the framework of this "Operation No. 1" the 12th Army was operating. The 3rd Panzer Division, following the infantry together with the 4th Cavalry Brigade, took part in a number of battles. At the same time, tanks, motorized infantry and cavalry carried out maneuvering actions, made envelopes, long (up to 60 km per day) roundabout marches. With their active participation, on May 5, Linzhou was captured, and on May 25, Loyang. By mid-autumn, the Japanese had occupied more than 40 cities, including Changsha, Henyang, Guilin, Shaozhou, Nanying, airfields near Henyang, Liuzhou, and Gangxiang. This success was largely due to the weakness of the enemy anti-tank defense system. During the assault on populated areas, tanks were used to fire at gates or breaches in the walls that surrounded most Chinese cities from machine-gun range. After the infantry entered the city, some of the tanks acted in front of it, while others were sent around to cut off the enemy's escape route. The 3rd Panzer Division and the 4th Cavalry Brigade also took part in the attack on the American air base near the river. Laohahe in the spring of 1945. In the operation that began on March 22 and the capture of airfields, the 3rd Panzer Division was solving rather auxiliary tasks, but the tankers played an important role in consolidating the success and repelling Chinese counterattacks (for example, in April in Sichuan). After that, the 3rd division with the rest of the forces was pulled north to Peiping (future Beijing). Interestingly, after the surrender of Japan, the 3rd Panzer Division was not completely disarmed - the Americans and Kuomintang used it to protect Peiping from capture by the People's Liberation Army, until in November 1945 it was replaced by the 109th Kuomintang Division.

It is quite typical for the situation in China at that time - the disarmament of the Japanese troops here ended only in February 1946. By the beginning of the Manchurian offensive operation Soviet troops 1945 The Kwantung Army under the command of General Yamada, numbering more than 1 million people, included the 1st and 9th separate tank brigades, based, respectively, in the areas of the cities of Shahe (south of Mukden) and Tieling (north-west of Mukden), the 35th Tank Regiment, together with the 39th Infantry Division, was stationed near the town of Sypingai. The 9th Brigade served as the tank reserve of the Kwantung Army. These areas were in the zone of the 3rd West Manchurian Front. Japanese tank forces were significantly weakened by losses in the autumn offensive of 1944 in China and the transfer of part of subunits and equipment to the Japanese islands.

In total, the Kwantung grouping, together with the 17th Korean Front, by August 1945 had 1,215 tanks. Soviet troops numbered 1.7 million people and 5.2 thousand tanks and self-propelled guns.

On August 9, the Soviet troops of the Transbaikal, 1st Far Eastern and part of the forces of the 2nd Far Eastern fronts went on the offensive. In the battles with the Red Army in August - September, Japanese tanks practically did not show themselves in any way and were captured mainly in parks. The troops of the Trans-Baikal and 1st Far Eastern fronts, for example, got, thus, up to 600 serviceable Japanese tanks.

"Chi-ha" and "Shinhoto Chi-ha" of the 11th Panzer Regiment, together with units of the 91st Infantry Division, were on the Shumshu and Paramushir Islands of the Kuril ridge, occupied by the troops of the 5th Japanese Front. They took part in the battles with the Soviet troops of the 2nd Far Eastern Front, who were conducting the Kuril landing operation. In addition, the Japanese had two separate tank companies in the Kuril Islands. To counter the Soviet landing (101st Infantry Division with a battalion of marines) on the island. Shumshu on August 18 - 20, 1945, the Japanese additionally transferred tanks from Paramushir Island. Artillery support for the Soviet landing was provided by the ships of the Pacific Fleet. The fierceness of the fighting is evidenced by the remains of "Shinhoto Chi-ha", which are still rusting on the island. Shumshu and Paramushir were cleared of the Japanese on 23 August, and all the Kuril Islands by 1 September. On September 2, Japan surrendered.

A few words about tanks intended for defense Japanese islands... In the spring of 1945, the United National Defense Army had 2,970 tanks in two divisions, six brigades and several separate companies. The 1st and 4th Panzer Divisions formed a mobile reserve stationed north of Tokyo, the US-British landing on about. Kyushu was planned for November 1945, for Honshu - for the spring of 1946. It was to include three armored divisions, as well as a significant number of separate tank battalions. Surely, superiority would again be on the side of the Americans, but the Japanese tank units located in the metropolis, fully equipped and well equipped, apparently would have put up more serious resistance than in other places. However, this is pure speculation - the surrender prevented these battles. The Japanese tanks were handed over to the American occupation forces in one piece. After the surrender of Japan, "Chi-ha" and "Shinhoto Chi-ha" continued their military service - during the Third Civil War in China (1945-1949).

Serviceable vehicles taken from the Kwantung Army, including 350 Chi-ha, were handed over to the People's Liberation Army by the Soviet troops. On the other hand, Chiang Kai-shek's Kuomintang troops received a significant number of Japanese tanks, with the assistance of the Americans. The limited number of combat vehicles on both sides led to their use for direct support of the infantry when attacking individual strongholds. In Peiping (Beijing) on January 31, 1949 and in Nanjing on April 23, the People's Liberation Army of China entered on Japanese tanks - including the "Chi-ha".

In Japan itself, the surviving "Chi-ha" and "Chi-he" remained in service until the 60s. However, in these years they played rather the role of training machines, since the basis of the armament of the "security corps", and then the "self-defense forces" of Japan were then American-made tanks.

Twenty years before the outbreak of the war with China and the subsequent offensive throughout Southeast Asia, The Japanese Empire began to form its own armored forces. The experience of the First World War showed the prospects for tanks and the Japanese took note of it. The creation of the Japanese tank industry began with a thorough study of foreign vehicles. For this, starting in 1919, Japan purchased from European countries small batches of tanks of various models. In the mid-twenties, the French Renault FT-18 and the English Mk.A Whippet were recognized as the best. In April 1925, the first Japanese tank group was formed from these armored vehicles. In the future, the purchase of foreign samples continued, but did not have a particularly large size. Japanese designers have already prepared several projects of their own.

Renault FT-17/18 (The 17 had an MG, the 18 had a 37mm gun)

Tanks Mk.A Whippet of the Imperial Japanese Army

In 1927, the Osaka Arsenal showed the world the first Japanese tank of its own design. had a combat weight of 18 tons and was armed with a 57-mm cannon and two machine guns. The armament was mounted in two independent towers. It is quite obvious that the first experience of independent creation of armored vehicles was not crowned with much success. The Chi-I tank was, on the whole, not bad. But not without the so-called. childhood illnesses, which was forgivable for the very first design. Taking into account the experience of testing and trial operation in the troops, four years later, another tank of the same mass was created. "Type 91" was equipped with three turrets, which were 70-mm and 37-mm cannons, as well as machine guns. It is noteworthy that the machine-gun turret, being designed to defend the vehicle from the rear, was located behind the engine compartment. The other two towers were located in the front and middle of the tank. The most powerful gun was mounted on a large medium turret. The Japanese used this armament and layout scheme on their next medium tank. "Type 95" appeared in 1935 and was even built in a small series. However, a number of design and operational features eventually led to the abandonment of multi-turret systems. All further Japanese armored vehicles were either equipped with one turret, or managed with a wheelhouse or machine gunner's armored shield.

The first Japanese medium tank, which was referred to as 2587 "Chi-i" (sometimes called "medium tank number 1")

"Special tractor"

After abandoning the idea of a tank with several towers, the Japanese military and designers began to develop another direction of armored vehicles, which eventually became the basis for a whole family of combat vehicles. In 1935, a light / small tank "Type 94", also known as "TK" (short for "Tokubetsu Keninsha" - literally "Special tractor"), was adopted by the Japanese army. Initially, this tank with a combat weight of three and a half tons - because of this, it is listed as a wedge in the European classification of armored vehicles - was developed as a special vehicle for transporting goods and escorting convoys. Nevertheless, over time, the project has developed into a full-fledged lightweight combat vehicle... The design and layout of the Type 94 tank later became classic for Japanese armored vehicles. The "TK" hull was assembled on a frame made of corners made of rolled sheets, the maximum thickness of the armor was equal to 12 millimeters of the upper part of the forehead. The bottom and roof were three times thinner. In the front part of the hull there was an engine compartment with a Mitsubishi Type 94 gasoline engine with a capacity of 35 horsepower. Such a weak engine was enough for a speed of only 40 km / h on the highway. The suspension of the tank was designed according to the scheme of Major T. Hara. Four track rollers per track were attached in pairs at the ends of the balancer, which, in turn, was mounted on the body. The damping element of the suspension was a coil spring installed along the body and covered with a cylindrical casing. From each side chassis equipped with two such blocks, while the fixed ends of the springs were in the center of the chassis. The armament of the "Special Tractor" consisted of one Type 91 machine gun of 6.5 mm caliber. The Type 94 project was generally successful, although it had a number of shortcomings. First of all, the claims were caused by weak protection and insufficient weapons. Only one rifle-caliber machine gun was an effective weapon only against a weak enemy.

"Type 94" "TK" captured by the Americans

"Type 97" / "Te-Ke"

The terms of reference for the next armored vehicle meant more high levels protection and firepower. Since the design of the "Type 94" had a certain potential in terms of development, the new "Type 97", aka "Te-Ke", in fact became its deep modernization. For this reason, the suspension and design of the Te-Ke hull was almost completely similar to the corresponding units of the Type 94. At the same time, there were some differences. The combat weight of the new tank increased to 4.75 tons, which, combined with a new, more powerful engine, could lead to major changes in balancing. To avoid too much stress on the front road wheels, the OHV engine was placed in the rear of the tank. The two-stroke diesel engine developed power up to 60 hp. At the same time, an increase in engine power did not lead to an improvement. driving performance... The speed of the Type 97 remained at the level of the previous TK tank. Moving the engine to the stern required a change in the layout and shape of the front of the hull. So, thanks to the increase in free volumes in the nose of the tank, it was possible to make a more ergonomic workplace of the driver with a more comfortable "wheelhouse" protruding above the frontal and upper hull sheets. The level of protection of the Type 97 was slightly higher than that of the Type 94. Now the entire body was assembled from 12 mm sheets. In addition, the upper part of the hull sides had a thickness of 16 millimeters. Such interesting feature was due to the angles of inclination of the sheets. Since the frontal was located at a greater angle to the horizontal than the sidewalls, different thicknesses made it possible to provide the same level of protection from all angles. The crew of the tank "Type 97" consisted of two people. They did not have any special observation devices and used only observation slots and sights. The tank commander's workplace was located in the fighting compartment, in the tower. At his disposal was a 37 mm cannon and a 7.7 mm machine gun. The Type 94 cannon with a wedge bolt was manually loaded. Ammunition of 66 armor-piercing and fragmentation shells was stacked along the sides, inside the tank hull. The penetration of an armor-piercing projectile was about 35 millimeters from a distance of 300 meters. Coaxial machine gun "Type 97" had more than 1700 rounds of ammunition.

Type 97 Te-Ke

Serial production of Type 97 tanks began in 1938-39. Before its termination in 1942, about six hundred combat vehicles were assembled. Appearing at the very end of the thirties, "Te-Ke" managed to take part in almost all military conflicts of that time, from battles in Manchuria to landing operations in 1944. At first, the industry could not cope with the production of the required number of tanks, so it was necessary to distribute them between the units with great care. The use of "Type 97" in battles went with varying success: weak armor did not provide protection against a large part of the enemy's firepower, and its own armament could not provide adequate firepower and effective fire range. In 1940, an attempt was made to install a new gun with a longer barrel and the same caliber on the Te-Ke. The muzzle velocity of the projectile increased by one hundred meters per second and reached a level of 670-680 m / s. Nevertheless, over time, the insufficiency of this weapon also became clear.

"Type 95"

A further development of the theme of light tanks was the "Type 95" or "Ha-Go", created a little later, "Te-Ke". In general, it was a logical continuation of the previous cars, but it was not without serious changes. First of all, the design of the undercarriage was changed. On previous machines, the idler wheel also played the role of a road roller and pressed the track to the ground. On "Ha-Go" this detail was raised above the ground and the track acquired a more familiar form for tanks of that time. The design of the armored hull remained the same - the frame and rolled sheets. Most of the panels were 12 millimeters thick, which kept the level of protection the same. The basis of the power plant of the Type 95 tank was a six-cylinder two-stroke diesel engine with a power of 120 hp. This engine power, despite the combat weight of seven and a half tons, made it possible to maintain and even increase the speed and maneuverability of the vehicle in comparison with the previous ones. The maximum speed of "Ha-Go" on the highway was 45 km / h.

The main weapon of the Ha-Go tank was similar to that of the Type 97. It was a Type 94 37mm cannon. The suspension system of the gun was made quite in an original way... The gun was not rigidly fixed and could move both vertically and horizontally. Thanks to this, it was possible to roughly direct the gun by turning the turret and adjust the aiming using its own turning mechanisms. The gun ammunition - 75 unitary rounds - was placed along the walls of the fighting compartment. The additional armament of the Type 95 was initially two 6.5 mm Type 91 machine guns. Later, with the transition of the Japanese army to a new cartridge, their place was taken by Type 97 machine guns of 7.7 mm caliber. One of the machine guns was installed in the rear of the turret, the other in a swinging installation in the front sheet of the armored hull. In addition, on the left side of the hull there were embrasures for firing from the crew's personal weapons. The Ha-Go crew, for the first time in this line of light tanks, consisted of three people: a driver mechanic, a gunner technician and a gunner commander. The duties of the technician-gunner included control over the engine and firing from the front machine gun. The second machine gun was controlled by the commander. He also loaded the cannon and fired from it.

The first experimental batch of "Ha-Go" tanks was assembled back in 1935 and immediately went to the troops for trial operation. In the war with China, due to the weakness of the latter's army, the new Japanese tanks did not achieve much success. A little later, during the battles at Khalkhin Gol, the Japanese military finally managed to test the Type 95 in a real battle with worthy adversary... This check ended sadly: almost all the "Ha-Go" that the Kwantung Army had were destroyed by the tanks and artillery of the Red Army. One of the results of the battles on Khalkhin Gol was the recognition by the Japanese command of the inadequacy of 37-mm cannons. During the fighting, Soviet BT-5s, equipped with 45-mm guns, managed to destroy Japanese tanks even before they approached the range of confident defeat. In addition, the Japanese armored formations included many machine-gun tanks, which clearly did not contribute to success in battles.

"Ha-Go" captured by American troops on the island of Io

Later, the "Ha-Go" tanks clashed with American equipment and artillery. Due to the significant difference in calibers - the Americans were already using 75 mm tank guns with might and main - Japanese armored vehicles often carried big losses... By the end of the Pacific War, Type 95 light tanks were often converted into stationary firing points, but their effectiveness was also low. Last battles with the participation of "Type 95" took place during the Third Civil War in China. Trophy tanks were transferred to the Chinese military, and the USSR sent the captured armored vehicles of the People's Liberation Army, and the United States sent the Kuomintang. In spite of active use"Type 95" after the Second World War, this tank can be considered quite lucky. Of the more than 2300 built tanks, a dozen and a half have survived to this day in the form of museum exhibits. Several dozen more damaged tanks are local attractions in some Asian countries.

Average "Chi-Ha"

Soon after the start of the tests of the "Ha-Go" tank, Mitsubishi presented another project, rooted in the early thirties. This time the good old TK concept became the basis for a new medium tank called the Type 97 or Chi-Ha. It should be noted, however, that Chi-Ha had little in common with Te-Ke. The coincidence of the digital development index was due to some bureaucratic issues. Nevertheless, the matter was not without borrowing ideas. The new "Type 97" had the same layout as the previous vehicles: an engine in the stern, a transmission in the front and a fighting compartment between them. The Chi-Ha design was carried out using a frame system. The maximum thickness of the rolled hull sheets in the case of the Type 97 increased to 27 millimeters. This provided a significant increase in the level of protection. As practice later showed, the new thicker armor turned out to be much more resistant to enemy weapons. For example, the American Browning M2 heavy machine guns confidently hit the Ha-Go tanks at distances of up to 500 meters, but they left only dents on the Chi-Ha armor. A more solid booking led to an increase in the tank's combat weight to 15.8 tons. This fact required the installation of a new engine. On the early stages the project considered two motors. Both had the same 170 horsepower, but were developed by different firms. As a result, the Mitsubishi diesel engine was chosen, which turned out to be slightly more convenient in production. And the possibility of quick and convenient communication between tank designers and engine engineers did the trick.

Taking into account the current trends in the development of foreign tanks, the designers of Mitsubishi decided to equip the new Type 97 with more powerful weapons than those of the previous tanks. A 57-mm Type 97 cannon was installed on the rotating turret. As in the "Ha-Go", the gun could swing on trunnions not only in the vertical plane, but also horizontally, within a sector 20 ° wide. It is noteworthy that the fine aiming of the gun horizontally was carried out without any mechanical means - only physical strength gunner. Vertical guidance was carried out in the sector from -9 ° to + 21 °. The standard gun ammunition contained 80 high-explosive and 40 armor-piercing shells. Armor-piercing ammunition weighing 2.58 kg per kilometer pierced up to 12 millimeters of armor. At half the distance, the penetration rate increased by one and a half times. Additional weapons The Chi-Ha consisted of two Type 97 machine guns. One of them was located in the front of the hull, and the other was intended for defense against an attack from behind. The new weapon made the tank builders go for another increase in the crew. Now it consisted of four people: a driver-mechanic, a shooter, a loader and a gunner-commander.

In 1942, on the basis of the Type 97, the Shinhoto Chi-Ha tank was created, which differed from the original model with a new cannon. The 47-mm Type 1 gun made it possible to increase the ammunition load to 102 shells and at the same time increase the armor penetration. The barrel with a length of 48 calibers accelerated the projectile to such speeds at which it could penetrate up to 68-70 millimeters of armor at a distance of up to 500 meters. The updated tank turned out to be more effective against armored vehicles and enemy fortifications, in connection with which mass production began. In addition, a considerable part of the more than 700 manufactured "Shinhot Chi-Ha" were converted during the repair from simple tanks "Type 97".

The combat use of "Chi-Ha", begun in the very first months of the war in the Pacific theater of operations, until a certain time showed sufficient effectiveness of the solutions used. However, over time, when the United States entered the war, which already had tanks such as the M3 Lee in its troops, it became clear that all light and medium tanks available to Japan simply could not fight them. To reliably defeat American tanks, precise hits were required on certain parts of them. This was the reason for the creation of a new turret with a "Type 1" cannon. One way or another, none of the modifications of the "Type 97" could compete on equal terms with the equipment of the enemy, the USA or the USSR. Including as a result of this, out of about 2,100 units, only two complete Chi-Ha tanks have survived to this day. A dozen more survived in a damaged state and are also museum pieces.

The Type 97 Chi-Ha is a Japanese medium tank, which was used very actively during the time along with the more obsolete one. In terms of mass, Chi-Ha was rather light - he could only belong to the average according to the Japanese classification.

The history of the creation of Chi-Ha

By the mid-30s of the XX century, the main medium tank of Japan, the Type 98, was completely outdated. The Japanese command revised the requirements for medium tanks and ordered the development of more maneuverable vehicles. In 1936, the final performance characteristics for the new medium tank were formulated - it was supposed to be faster, more protected, smaller, and at the same time retain the old armament. Two prototypes were made - "Chi-ha" from Mitsubishi and "Chi-no" from the arsenal in Osaka.

In 1936-1937 prototypes were tested, and at first the preference was given to the lighter and cheaper Chi-Ni. But after the first major military clashes with China, it became obvious that the maneuverable and armored Chi-Ha would perform better. As a result, it was accepted into service, naming it "Type 2597". In 1937, the tank began to be mass-produced.

Tactical and technical characteristics (TTX)

general information

Classification - medium tank, although by world standards it was more of a light tank;
Combat weight - 15.8 tons;
Layout diagram - front transmission compartment, rear engine compartment;
Crew - 4 people;
Years of production - 1938-1943;
Years of operation - 1938-1945;
The number of issued - 2123 pieces.

Chi-Ha layout

Dimensions (edit)

Body length - 5500 mm;
Case width - 2330 mm;
Height - 2380 mm;
Clearance - 420 millimeters.

Reservation

Armor type - surface hardened rolled steel;
Body forehead (middle) - 10/82 ° -20 / 65 ° mm / degree;
Hull side (top) - 20 / 25-40 ° mm / degree;
Body feed (top) - 20/67 ° mm / degree;
Bottom - 8.5 mm;
Hull roof - 10-12 mm;
Tower forehead - 25/10 ° mm / degree;
Tower side - 25/10 ... 12 ° mm / degree;
Cutting feed - 25/12 ° mm / degree;
The roof of the tower is 10 mm.

Armament

The brand and caliber of the gun - Type 97, 57 millimeters;
Gun type - rifled;
Barrel length - 18.4 caliber;
Cannon ammunition - 120;
HV angles: -9 ... + 21;
The sight is telescopic;
Machine guns - 2 × 7.7 mm Type 97.

Mobility

Engine type - 12-cylinder diesel V-shaped, liquid-cooled;
Power - 170 horsepower;
Highway speed - 38 km / h;
Cross-country speed - 19 km / h;
In store down the highway - 210 km;
Specific power - 10.8 hp / t;
Suspension type - Hara;
The overcome rise is 30-35 degrees;
Overcoming wall - 1 meter;
The overcome moat - 2.5 meters;
The ford to be overcome is 1 meter.

Chi-Ha modifications

So Chi-Ha was very successful and popular, so several modifications were built on its basis, which were actively used along with the base tank.

Shinhoto Chi-Ha

When the Japanese troops clashed with the Soviets near the Khalkhin-Gol River, it became clear that tank guns should have anti-tank properties in the first place. So in 1939 the ShinhoTo Chi-Ha was developed, a modification with a new turret and 47mm cannon. She had a smaller caliber, but due to the length of the projectile was given a high starting speed, so the new cannon penetrated the armor of tanks much better. Shinhotos were produced along with regular Chi-Ha until 1943.

Shinhoto Chi-Ha

Chi-Ha with a 120mm cannon

On the basis of the "Shinhot", by order of the Marine Corps, they created a variation with a short-barreled marine cannon with a caliber of 120 millimeters. Such a tank was produced after 1942 in small numbers.

Chi-Ki

It was a command tank - the tower was occupied by radio equipment and a 57-mm cannon was in it, and a 37-mm cannon was installed in place of one machine gun.

Vehicles based on the Type 97 Chi-Ha

In addition to various modifications, other vehicles were also created on the basis of the Chi-Ha tank.

Anti-tank:

Ho-Ro - self-propelled howitzer... Instead of the turret, a 150 mm howitzer was installed. Only about 12 units were produced;
Ho-Ni - a whole series of self-propelled guns. They were similar in design to Ho-Ro, but Ho-Ni III had a closed conning tower. They were mainly used for fire support. They were the only more or less massive self-propelled guns in Japan during World War II (about 170 were produced).

Ho-Ni I - self-propelled gun based on Chi-Ha.

Special:

Ka-Ha - a machine for the destruction of wire communication lines due to the action of a dynamo machine with a generator direct current... The creators assumed that he would destroy communications through a telegraph wire. A total of four such machines were built, but there is no data on their use;
Ka-So is an armored vehicle for artillery observers. It had no weapons in the tower;
Ho-K - a logging machine used in the jungle of New Guinea;
Chi-Yu is an armored mine sweep with a turret and weapons.

Repair and technical

Se-Ri - repair and recovery vehicle. A small conical turret with a machine gun was placed on it, and on the stern there was a crane with a lifting capacity of 5 tons. Only a couple of copies were released;
T-G - an armored bridgelayer, which made it possible to assemble a bridge using two missiles - the bridge flew out of the car in just a few seconds. At the same time, the resulting bridge could hold Japanese tanks, but it collapsed under the American ones. However, the T-G was never mass-produced.

Combat use

In the battles on Khalkhin Gol, Chi-Ha tanks have not yet been used, but only tested at the front. After the defeat, it was decided to replace many of the "Ha-Go" with the Type 97 "Chi-ha", so they began to be produced more actively.

In 1941, the Japanese invaded Malaya and the Philippines. They mainly participated in battles with American tanks, but medium "Chi-Ha" were also used by Japanese troops to accompany the infantry and finally destroy the enemy.

In the battles on Bataan, the Chi-Ha was already used much more actively, but in the end it turned out that their 57-mm weapon was ineffective against the American Stuarts. Therefore, two Shinhot Chi-Ha were transferred to the islands. This modification was first used in the landing at Corregidor on May 5, 1942.

In Malaya, Chi-Ha was also used actively and very successfully, mainly due to the fact that the enemy did not have anti-tank weapons. The tanks played a special role in the capture of Singapore on 15 February.

In 1943, Japan in the Pacific and Asia was forced to switch from offensive to defensive. For this, all units were actively equipped with tanks, both "Chi-Ha" and "Ha-Go", as well as amphibious and other modifications.

In the battles on the island of Saipan in July 1944, the Japanese tank forces entered into battle with American tanks. As a result, many Japanese vehicles were lost under fire from the M4 and anti-tank M3. Roughly the same thing happened on the island of Guam.

In the Pacific theater of operations, these two islands became the places of the most active use Japanese tanks. It was here that it became clear that the Chi-Ha were already outdated - they were too easily penetrated by American cannons and even heavy machine guns.

Type 97 Chi-Ha with a tanker

Philippines and Japanese islands

In the Philippines, Japanese tanks also showed themselves not very well - in battles with American tanks, especially with Shermans and self-propelled guns, a lot of Chi-Ha and Shinhoto Chi-Ha were lost. Japanese tanks also failed in the defense of Iwo Jima, Okinawa and Formosa. True, one strongpoint with three "Shinhot Chi-Ha" managed to put up stubborn resistance - the fighting on the island of Iwo Jima went from February to March 26. But in the end, the resistance was still crumpled. In the fierce battles in Okinawa, tanks almost did not participate. Moreover, because of the defeat in the Philippines, the Japanese did not risk transferring tanks to Okinawa.

Chi-Ha shot down in the Philippines

Continental battles

On the continent "Chi-Ha" fought in Burma and China. In Burma, the last Japanese tanks were killed in a clash with the Shermans in March 1945. In China, tanks were more successful, mainly due to the weak anti-tank defenses of the enemy. By the way, when Japan surrendered, the third armored division operating in China was not completely disarmed - they began to use it to defend Peiping from the National Liberation Army.

When the Manchurian offensive Soviet troops, the Kwantung Army had several tank brigades and regiments, armed mainly with "Chi-Ha" and "Shinhoto Chi-Ha". There were 1215 tanks in the grouping. On the whole, their use was unsuccessful and they were defeated. The same was in store for Japanese tanks in the Kuril Islands - the remains of the Shinhoto Chi-Ha can still be seen on Paramushir Island.

After Japan surrendered, the Chi-Ha was used in the Third Chinese Civil War by both sides. They were mainly used to support the infantry. In Japan itself, "Chi-Ha" were in service until the 60s, but were used more as training vehicles.

Tank memory

Three Chi-Ha tanks are kept in museums today, and there are also 11 vehicles that were badly damaged in battles:

Indonesia, Malanga, National Museum;
PRC, Beijing - People's Revolutionary Museum;
Japan, Yasukuni Shrine;
Japan, Imperial Japanese Army Tank School;
Russia, the village of Ivanovskoye in the Moscow region, the Military-Technical Museum. The tank is on the move;
Russia, Kuril Islands, Shumshu Island. Several damaged tanks;
On the islands of Guadalcanal, Saipan and the Duke of York Island there are 9 Chi-Ha tanks abandoned by crews or damaged in battles.

Remains of Shinhoto Chi-Ha in the Kuril Islands

Photos tank

Padded Chi-Ha

Type 97 Chi-Ha at the United States Army Museum in Aberdeen

Shinhoto Chi-Ha with crew

Tank in culture

Despite its widespread use, popular culture tank "Chi-Ha" has no significant mentions. He is not mentioned in films or in fiction, but it can be found in game World of tanks as a Japanese medium tank of the third tier and as a medium tank of the first rank.

Japan was one of the leading forces during World War II. The scale of the strategic plans of its leadership had to be confirmed high quality technology. Therefore, in the 30s, the Japanese created many models of tanks that fought on the Pacific front of World War II for several years without interruption.

Purchase of western models

The idea of creating your own tanks appeared in Japan after the First World War. This conflict showed the promise of this modern look weapons. Since the Japanese did not have their own industry necessary for the production of tanks, they began to get acquainted with the developments of the Europeans.

For Tokyo, this was a familiar method of modernization. The Land of the Rising Sun spent several centuries in total isolation and only in the second half of the 19th century began to develop intensively. New sectors of the economy and industry emerged from scratch. Therefore, the task of conducting a similar experiment with tanks was not so fantastic.

The first to be purchased in 1925 were the French Renault FT-18s, which were considered the best of their kind at the time. These models were adopted by the Japanese for service. Very soon, engineers and designers of this country, having gained Western experience, prepared several of their pilot projects.

"Chi-I"

The first Japanese tank was assembled in Osaka in 1927. The car was named "Chi-I". It was an experimental model that never saw serial production. However, it was she who became the very "first lump", which turned out to be the starting point for the Japanese specialists for further technical research.

The model had a cannon, two machine guns, and its weight was 18 tons. Its design feature consisted of several turrets on which the guns were installed. It was a bold and controversial experiment. The first Japanese tank was also equipped with a machine gun designed to protect the vehicle from the rear. Because of this feature, it was installed behind engine compartment... Tests showed that the multi-turret design was unsuccessful in terms of combat effectiveness. In the future, Osaka decided to abandon the implementation of such a system. Tank Japanese "Chi-I" has remained a historical model that has never been in a real war. But some of its features were inherited by machines later used on the fields of World War II.

"Type 94"

Mostly Japanese were developed in the 30s. The first model in this series is Tokushu Ken'ingxia (abbreviated as TK, or "Type 94"). This tank was distinguished by its small dimensions and weight (only 3.5 tons). It was used not only for combat, but also for auxiliary purposes. Therefore, in Europe "Type 94" was considered a wedge.

As an auxiliary vehicle, the TC was used to transport goods and help convoys. This was the original purpose of the car, as conceived by the designers. However, over time, the project has evolved into a full-fledged combat model... Almost all subsequent Japanese inherited from the "Type 94" not only the design, but also the layout. More than 800 units of this generation were produced in total. The Type 94 was primarily used during the 1937 invasion of China.

The post-war fate of Tokushu Ken'ingxia is curious. Part of the park of these models was captured by the allies, who defeated the Japanese after the atomic tanks were transferred to the Chinese - the communists and the Kuomintang troops. These sides were hostile to each other. Therefore, the "Type 94" was tested for several more years on the fields of the Chinese civil war, after which the PRC was formed.

"Type 97"

In 1937, the "Type 94" was declared obsolete. Further research by engineers led to the emergence of a new machine - a direct descendant of Tokushu Ken'ingxia. The model was named "Type 97" or abbreviated "Te-Ke". This Japanese tank was used during the battles in China, Malaya and Burma right up to In fact, it was a deep modification of the "Type 94".

The crew of the new car consisted of two people. The engine was located in the back and the transmission was in the front. An important innovation compared to its predecessor was the unification of the combat and command department. The vehicle received a 37mm cannon inherited from the TK.

New Japanese tanks were first tested in the field in battles on the Khalkhin-Gol River. Since they did not participate in the first strikes against Soviet positions, most of the Te-Ke managed to survive. Almost all active combat units of this type were transferred to the Pacific theater of operations of the Second World War. These small tanks were especially effective for reconnaissance of enemy positions. They were also used as vehicles organizing communications between different parts of the front. The small size and weight made the Type 97 an indispensable weapon for supporting the infantry.

"Chi-Ha"

Interestingly, almost all Japanese tanks of World War II were developed by Mitsubishi employees. Today this brand is known primarily in the automotive industry. However, in the 30-40s, the company's factories regularly produced reliable vehicles for the army. In 1938, Mitsubishi began production of the Chi-Ha, one of the main Japanese medium tanks. Compared to its predecessors, the model received more powerful guns (including 47mm cannons). In addition, it featured improved guidance.

"Chi-Ha" were used in battle from the very first days after their appearance on the assembly line. At the initial stage of the war with China, they remained an effective weapon in the hands of Japanese tankers. However, after the United States was drawn into the conflict, Chi-Ha had a serious combat competitor. These were tanks of the M3 Lee type. They easily coped with all Japanese lung machines and the middle segment. Largely because of this, out of more than two thousand units of "Chi-Ha", only a dozen representatives of this model remain as museum exhibits.

"Ha-Go"

If we compare all Japanese tanks of the Second World War, then we can distinguish two of the most basic and common models. This is the above-described "Chi-Ha" and "Ha-Go". This tank was mass-produced in 1936-1943. More than 2300 units of this model were produced in total. Although it is difficult to single out the best Japanese tank, it is "Ha-Go" that has the most rights to this title.

The first sketches of it appeared in the early 30s. Then the Japanese command wanted to get a car that could become an effective auxiliary means for cavalry attacks. That is why "Ha-Go" was distinguished by such important qualities like high cross-country ability and mobility.

"Ka-Mi"

An important feature of the "Ha-Go" was that this tank became the basis for numerous modifications. They were all experimental and therefore not widely used. However, this does not mean at all that there were no competitive models among them.

High quality, for example, was "Ka-Mi". It was unique in that it remained the only Japanese amphibious tank of World War II to be mass-produced. The development of this modification "Ha-Go" began in 1941. Then the Japanese command began to prepare an offensive campaign to the south, where there were many small islands and archipelagos. In this regard, it became necessary to land an amphibious assault. Japanese heavy tanks in this task they could not help in any way. Therefore, Mitsubishi started the development of a fundamentally new model, based on the most common tank of the Land of the Rising Sun "Ha-Go". As a result, 182 Ka-Mi units were produced.

The use of amphibious tanks

The chassis of the old tank has been improved so that the vehicle can be used effectively on the water. For this, in particular, the body has been significantly changed. Because of its originality, each Ka-Mi was assembled slowly and for a long time. For this reason, the first major operation using amphibious tanks took place only in 1944. The Japanese landed on Saipan - the largest of the landing operations... Therefore, "Ka-Mi" began to be used as a conventional ground tank. This was facilitated by the fact that it was universal in design and running characteristics.

In 1944, photos of Japanese tanks sailing along the coast of the Marshall Islands flew around the world. By that time, the empire was already close to defeat, and even the appearance of a fundamentally new technology could not help it in any way. Nevertheless, the "Ka-Mi" themselves made a great impression on the opponents. The tank hull was spacious. It accommodated five people - a driver, a mechanic, a shooter, a loader and a commander. Outwardly, "Ka-Mi" immediately caught the eye because of its two-man tower.

"Chi-hee"

"Chi-He" appeared as a result of work on errors related to the characteristics of Chi-Ha. In 1940, Japanese designers and engineers decided to catch up with Western competitors in the simplest way by copying foreign technologies and developments. Thus, all the initiative and originality of oriental specialists were put aside.

The result of this maneuver was not long in coming - "Chi-He" more than all its Japanese "relatives" and externally and internally began to resemble the European counterparts of that time. But the project was completed too late. In 1943-1944. only 170 "Chi-He" were produced.

"Chi-Nu"

The continuation of the ideas embodied in "Chi-Khe" was "Chi-Nu". It differed from its predecessor only in improved weapons. The design and layout of the body remained the same.

The series turned out to be small. At the final stage of World War II in 1943-1945. only about a hundred "Chi-Nu" were released. According to the idea of the Japanese command, these tanks were to become an important defense force for the country during the landing of American troops. Due to the atomic bombings and the imminent surrender of the state leadership, this foreign attack never happened.

"O-I"

How were Japanese tanks different? The review shows that there were no heavy class models among them according to the western classification. The Japanese command preferred light and medium vehicles, which were easier and more efficient to use in conjunction with the infantry. However, this did not mean at all that there were no projects of a fundamentally different type in this country.

One of these was the idea of super heavy tank, which received the rough name "O-I". This multi-turret monster was supposed to accommodate a crew of 11 people. The model was designed as an important weapon for the impending attacks on the USSR and China. Work on "O-I" began in 1936 and, one way or another, continued until the defeat in World War II. The project was closed and then resumed. Today there is no reliable information that at least one prototype of this model was produced. "O-I" remained on paper, as did Japan's idea of its regional domination, which led it to a disastrous alliance with Hitler's Germany.