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Assault Guns and SPGs in Japanese Service
Ho-Ni Series
Even before the war, the Japanese had begun to plan a domestic series of self
propelled guns for artillery and anti-tank support. With the formal entry of Japan
into the Second World War (or rather, the war outside China), the need for a
self-propelled gun was considered to be quite critical, and the project was
rapidly moved toward completion.
The first practical series of self-propelled guns in the Japanese Arsenal was
the so called "Ho-Ni" self propelled gun chassis, which entered service very
rapidly beginning around 1940. Three such vehicles were produced - the Type
1 (depicted above) in 1941, armed with a short 75; the Type 2 in 1942, armed
with a short 105; and finally, the Type 3 in 1943, armed with a long 75. While the
105 had been intended to provide close artillery support, all three were
eventually used in a largely anti-tank role.
All three of the Ho-Ni SPGs followed the same, basic pattern. An armored gun
shield was provided mounted atop a slightly cut down Type 97 Chi-Ha chassis.
No defensive armament was provided, and top and rear protection was light or
completely non-extant for the gun compartments. Type 3 attempted to correct
this, and a few examples of the Type 3 were even deployed with completely
enclosed gunnery compartments, but these were comparatively quite rare.
Crew was generally around three individuals, but the Type 3 increased its crew
capacity to five.
The Ho-Ni was typical of all self-propelled guns. It provided a fast and relatively
reliable means of direct anti-tank or artillery support for infantry (and armor)
formations. It was also far more useful in a defensive role, had limited weapon
articulation, and suffered badly when deployed unsupported by infantry. Unlike
their Axis allies, the Japanese never seem to have thought much of the idea of
providing defensive machine guns for the Ho-Ni, although pistol ports were
provided. This made them doubly vulnerable in close assault.
In all, a little less than two hundred examples of all marks were produced.
Even before the war, the Japanese had begun to plan a domestic series of self
propelled guns for artillery and anti-tank support. With the formal entry of Japan
into the Second World War (or rather, the war outside China), the need for a
self-propelled gun was considered to be quite critical, and the project was
rapidly moved toward completion.
The first practical series of self-propelled guns in the Japanese Arsenal was
the so called "Ho-Ni" self propelled gun chassis, which entered service very
rapidly beginning around 1940. Three such vehicles were produced - the Type
1 (depicted above) in 1941, armed with a short 75; the Type 2 in 1942, armed
with a short 105; and finally, the Type 3 in 1943, armed with a long 75. While the
105 had been intended to provide close artillery support, all three were
eventually used in a largely anti-tank role.
All three of the Ho-Ni SPGs followed the same, basic pattern. An armored gun
shield was provided mounted atop a slightly cut down Type 97 Chi-Ha chassis.
No defensive armament was provided, and top and rear protection was light or
completely non-extant for the gun compartments. Type 3 attempted to correct
this, and a few examples of the Type 3 were even deployed with completely
enclosed gunnery compartments, but these were comparatively quite rare.
Crew was generally around three individuals, but the Type 3 increased its crew
capacity to five.
The Ho-Ni was typical of all self-propelled guns. It provided a fast and relatively
reliable means of direct anti-tank or artillery support for infantry (and armor)
formations. It was also far more useful in a defensive role, had limited weapon
articulation, and suffered badly when deployed unsupported by infantry. Unlike
their Axis allies, the Japanese never seem to have thought much of the idea of
providing defensive machine guns for the Ho-Ni, although pistol ports were
provided. This made them doubly vulnerable in close assault.
In all, a little less than two hundred examples of all marks were produced.
Type 2 Ho-I "Gun Tank"
Very little is known about this particular weapon. It was built upon the Chi-He
chassis as a means of providing close artillery support to infantry formations.
All were essentially designed as standard Type 1 Chi-He Medium tanks with the
exception that the 47mm armament was replaced with a short-barreled 75mm
gun.
Less than fifty Type 2s were completed. Certainly, this was due in part to the
difficult time producing the Chi-He itself, which was a priority at the time. They
were assigned to the Army's "Gun Tank" Regiments. Most of those deployed
outside the Home Islands saw action against the Americans.
Very little is known about this particular weapon. It was built upon the Chi-He
chassis as a means of providing close artillery support to infantry formations.
All were essentially designed as standard Type 1 Chi-He Medium tanks with the
exception that the 47mm armament was replaced with a short-barreled 75mm
gun.
Less than fifty Type 2s were completed. Certainly, this was due in part to the
difficult time producing the Chi-He itself, which was a priority at the time. They
were assigned to the Army's "Gun Tank" Regiments. Most of those deployed
outside the Home Islands saw action against the Americans.
Type 97 "Marine Type" Chi-Ha
One of the great enigmas of Japanese tank development. This was produced by
the IJN, apparently, to provide close artillery support for Marine (SNLF) units, but
its actual production numbers are somewhat of a mystery, as is any special
designation (if indeed such a designation exists). It was nicknamed the "Marine
Type" by Allied forces as it was frequently seen operating in support of SNLF
attacks.
The Type 97 Marine Type was equipped with a 120mm short barrelled howitzer.
Otherwise, it was equipped as per standard for the Type 97 Chi-Ha. The turret
was apparently a version of the Shinhoto turret, specially modified for use by
the Navy.
The Marine Type Saw action against American and Commonwealth forces. I'm
unaware of any specific combat performance details.
One of the great enigmas of Japanese tank development. This was produced by
the IJN, apparently, to provide close artillery support for Marine (SNLF) units, but
its actual production numbers are somewhat of a mystery, as is any special
designation (if indeed such a designation exists). It was nicknamed the "Marine
Type" by Allied forces as it was frequently seen operating in support of SNLF
attacks.
The Type 97 Marine Type was equipped with a 120mm short barrelled howitzer.
Otherwise, it was equipped as per standard for the Type 97 Chi-Ha. The turret
was apparently a version of the Shinhoto turret, specially modified for use by
the Navy.
The Marine Type Saw action against American and Commonwealth forces. I'm
unaware of any specific combat performance details.
SENSHAN - Japanese Armored Vehicles of the Second World War
Type 38 Ho-Ro
The Type 38 Ho-Ro was developed in 1943-44 for use as mobile heavy artillery
support. In the event, it was used as an anti-tank weapon from time to time.
Armed with the Type 38 155mm Howitzer, the Ho-Ro is sometimes identified as
Type 4 Ho-Ro, but the artillery units to which it was assigned classified it as
Type 38 based upon the armament carried.
The Type 38 Howitzer was a pre-WW1 era weapon based upon a similar Krupp
weapon. It had been a mainstay of Japanese artillery formations for much of the
early twentieth century, but was already being phased out as obsolescent
when Japan entered the Second World War. In 1943, a large quantity of such
weapons were available in stockpiles, so it was decided to retrofit the Type 38
onto the Type 97 Chi-Ha chassis with a reinforced gun shield. As with the Ho-Ni
series, the Ho-Ro was not provided with LMGs for self-defense. The port quite
evident to the lower left hand side of the gun shield is actually a viewing slit.
Nearly all of the 25 Ho-Ro SPGs completed were deployed in the Philippines. In
this capacity, they were used as both artillery and anti-tank support. Type 38s
were frequently dug in, but used as mobile weapons whenever possible. Armor
protection of the gun shield was generally better than it was in the Ho-Ni series,
but the Ho-Ro suffered from the same problems inherent with an exposed
gunnery compartment.
The Type 38 Ho-Ro was developed in 1943-44 for use as mobile heavy artillery
support. In the event, it was used as an anti-tank weapon from time to time.
Armed with the Type 38 155mm Howitzer, the Ho-Ro is sometimes identified as
Type 4 Ho-Ro, but the artillery units to which it was assigned classified it as
Type 38 based upon the armament carried.
The Type 38 Howitzer was a pre-WW1 era weapon based upon a similar Krupp
weapon. It had been a mainstay of Japanese artillery formations for much of the
early twentieth century, but was already being phased out as obsolescent
when Japan entered the Second World War. In 1943, a large quantity of such
weapons were available in stockpiles, so it was decided to retrofit the Type 38
onto the Type 97 Chi-Ha chassis with a reinforced gun shield. As with the Ho-Ni
series, the Ho-Ro was not provided with LMGs for self-defense. The port quite
evident to the lower left hand side of the gun shield is actually a viewing slit.
Nearly all of the 25 Ho-Ro SPGs completed were deployed in the Philippines. In
this capacity, they were used as both artillery and anti-tank support. Type 38s
were frequently dug in, but used as mobile weapons whenever possible. Armor
protection of the gun shield was generally better than it was in the Ho-Ni series,
but the Ho-Ro suffered from the same problems inherent with an exposed
gunnery compartment.
