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Medium Tanks in Japanese Service
Type 97 Chi-Ha
The Chi-Ro was rapidly becoming obsolescent within a few years of its
introduction, and the IJA, which sought a faster vehicle to support its "infantry
blitzkrieg" doctrine, was already looking for a replacement within a few short
years of the Type 89 being introduced.
Two vehicles were tested by the army as possible replacements in the mid
1930s. One of these, the "Chi-Ni", was produced by Osaka Arsenal, which had
produced the Type 89. The other, which retained the Chi-Ro turret but radically
changed all other aspects of the vehicle, was produced by Mitsubishi and
designated "Chi-Ha". The Army preferred the Chi-Ha concept but the budget
then established by the Imperial Diet did not allow for the expense of such a
design, and the Chi-Ni was selected as a budget conscious choice. Within
weeks of this decision, however, war once again erupted in China, and the
military was given more or less carte blanche control of the budget from then
on. As such, the Chi-Ni was scuppered, and the Chi-Ha became Japan's
premiere medium tank.
The Chi-Ha had been designed to better suit the purposes of Japanese doctrine.
As such, it was intended that the 57mm turret of the Chi-Ro would be slightly
modified internally and provided with next generation high explosive ammunition,
the idea being that the vehicle would be used against Chinese bunkers and
entrenched infantry. The articulation of the weapon was significantly improved,
such that the mounting allowed amazingly accurate aiming to a very low margin
of error. Beyond this, however, the armament of the vehicle was essentially
identical to that of the Chi-Ro. A crew of three was retained.
There is some debate in sources as to whether the commander served as
loader or gunner in the Type 97, but the turret was certainly a two man
operation as before.
Speedy, mechanically reliable, and far more spacious than the Chi-Ro, the Type
97 Chi-Ha was also considerably better protected and generally beloved by its
crews. It was easy to build, and as such, was the most commonly produced
Japanese medium tank of the era. Indeed, contemporaries considered the Type
97 to be among the most advanced vehicles in the world when it entered
service in 1937. Success was consistent and immediate in China, and large
orders were placed.
Manchuria, however, was a completely different story. During the incidents of
1938 and 1939, the Type 97 was repeatedly thrown against and utterly
defeated by the Soviets. Soviet anti-tank guns were more than capable of
carving a hole through any Japanese armor, and the 57mm gun was found, to
the horror of its operators, to be of too low velocity to penetrate any serious
armor protection. Contemporaries have placed a large blame for the Japanese
defeat in Manchuria in 1939 upon the shoulders of the inadequately gunned
Type 97. A need was seen for a replacement, but because matters were
quickly smoothed over with the Soviets following the invasion of Poland, this
was put to the side as a priority secondary to the development of Japan's new
aircraft designs. As such, the Type 97 continued to be produced through 1942.
In service, the Type 97 Chi-Ha was the most commonly encountered Japanese
medium tank, and was met by virtually every country to resist, or attempt to
resist, the Japanese. Against infantry, the Type 97 was an excellent platform,
but against armor, the Type 97 was near useless. It was only the advent of war
with the United States and Britain which forced the Japanese to accelerate their
plans for the production of a replacement and a better anti-tank gun.
Nevertheless, the Type 97 soldiered on in one form or another throughout the
war, and occasionally managed to kill opposing Allied vehicles with side shots,
astute maneuvering, and sheer luck.
A number of variants were produced, some of which featured large radio
antennae mounted around the crown of the turret and frequently mistaken for a
hand-rail and found on many miniature versions of the Type 97. Recent
evidence suggests that such large antennae were, in fact, only commonly
found with command variants of the Chi-Ha. All Type 97 tanks probably had
receivers, but the number equipped with transmitters is impossible to know for
certain.
The Chi-Ro was rapidly becoming obsolescent within a few years of its
introduction, and the IJA, which sought a faster vehicle to support its "infantry
blitzkrieg" doctrine, was already looking for a replacement within a few short
years of the Type 89 being introduced.
Two vehicles were tested by the army as possible replacements in the mid
1930s. One of these, the "Chi-Ni", was produced by Osaka Arsenal, which had
produced the Type 89. The other, which retained the Chi-Ro turret but radically
changed all other aspects of the vehicle, was produced by Mitsubishi and
designated "Chi-Ha". The Army preferred the Chi-Ha concept but the budget
then established by the Imperial Diet did not allow for the expense of such a
design, and the Chi-Ni was selected as a budget conscious choice. Within
weeks of this decision, however, war once again erupted in China, and the
military was given more or less carte blanche control of the budget from then
on. As such, the Chi-Ni was scuppered, and the Chi-Ha became Japan's
premiere medium tank.
The Chi-Ha had been designed to better suit the purposes of Japanese doctrine.
As such, it was intended that the 57mm turret of the Chi-Ro would be slightly
modified internally and provided with next generation high explosive ammunition,
the idea being that the vehicle would be used against Chinese bunkers and
entrenched infantry. The articulation of the weapon was significantly improved,
such that the mounting allowed amazingly accurate aiming to a very low margin
of error. Beyond this, however, the armament of the vehicle was essentially
identical to that of the Chi-Ro. A crew of three was retained.
There is some debate in sources as to whether the commander served as
loader or gunner in the Type 97, but the turret was certainly a two man
operation as before.
Speedy, mechanically reliable, and far more spacious than the Chi-Ro, the Type
97 Chi-Ha was also considerably better protected and generally beloved by its
crews. It was easy to build, and as such, was the most commonly produced
Japanese medium tank of the era. Indeed, contemporaries considered the Type
97 to be among the most advanced vehicles in the world when it entered
service in 1937. Success was consistent and immediate in China, and large
orders were placed.
Manchuria, however, was a completely different story. During the incidents of
1938 and 1939, the Type 97 was repeatedly thrown against and utterly
defeated by the Soviets. Soviet anti-tank guns were more than capable of
carving a hole through any Japanese armor, and the 57mm gun was found, to
the horror of its operators, to be of too low velocity to penetrate any serious
armor protection. Contemporaries have placed a large blame for the Japanese
defeat in Manchuria in 1939 upon the shoulders of the inadequately gunned
Type 97. A need was seen for a replacement, but because matters were
quickly smoothed over with the Soviets following the invasion of Poland, this
was put to the side as a priority secondary to the development of Japan's new
aircraft designs. As such, the Type 97 continued to be produced through 1942.
In service, the Type 97 Chi-Ha was the most commonly encountered Japanese
medium tank, and was met by virtually every country to resist, or attempt to
resist, the Japanese. Against infantry, the Type 97 was an excellent platform,
but against armor, the Type 97 was near useless. It was only the advent of war
with the United States and Britain which forced the Japanese to accelerate their
plans for the production of a replacement and a better anti-tank gun.
Nevertheless, the Type 97 soldiered on in one form or another throughout the
war, and occasionally managed to kill opposing Allied vehicles with side shots,
astute maneuvering, and sheer luck.
A number of variants were produced, some of which featured large radio
antennae mounted around the crown of the turret and frequently mistaken for a
hand-rail and found on many miniature versions of the Type 97. Recent
evidence suggests that such large antennae were, in fact, only commonly
found with command variants of the Chi-Ha. All Type 97 tanks probably had
receivers, but the number equipped with transmitters is impossible to know for
certain.
Type 89 Chi-Ro
This distinctively boxy, slab sided vehicle was essentially a Japanese variation
upon the theme of the British Vickers Mark 'C', featuring Japanese armament, a
domestically produced air-cooled gasoline engine, and a slightly different
internal layout. First developed in 1929, what was then classified as the "Yi-Ro"
waited to enter service until an appropriate version of Japan's 57mm Type 90
field gun, was developed for use in a vehicle mounting. Uniquely, the Type 89
would also be the first Japanese armored vehicle to utilize the extremely reliable
bell and scissor crank type suspension, developed by Major Tomio Hara, which
would become standard for all Japanese armored vehicles.
Upon the acceptance of a functional tank mounted version of the 57mm gun, the
Yi-Ro immediately entered front line service, joining an assortment of foreign
vehicles then serving in the Japanese military, most notably the French FT-17.
The armament included the low velocity 57mm gun, supported by a hull mounted
LMG and a secondary LMG mounted to the rear of the turret. The turret itself
was distinctively rounded, oblong shaped, and small. The commander of the
vehicle served as both commander and loader for the vehicle, and was rather
overworked. He was joined by a gunner and driver.
Within a year, the Type 89 had seen its first combat service, during the
Shanghai Incident of 1932. During that engagement, the Japanese immediately
discovered a serious flaw in the gasoline engine, whose air-cooling vents made
it particularly vulnerable to Molotov cocktails. As such, it was decided to scrap
the gasoline engine all together and a new diesel engine was produced. This
was known as the Yi-Ro "Ko" variant, and rapidly replaced the standard Yi-Ro,
with most of these being recalled to the home islands for training purposes.
Additional incidents in China convinced the Japanese that the frontal armor
protection of the "Ko" was not adequate against Chinese heavy machine guns,
and a second variant, the "Otsu" variant was developed. This featured a
significantly improved sloping front armor plate, and is frequently seen fitted
with an unditching tail and side skirts in period photos; some examples of the
"Ko" were fitted with the same equipment. Later, with the development of the
Type 97 Chi-Ha, the prefix "Chi" was adopted as a more or less standard
typological nomenclature for all medium armored vehicles in Japanese service,
and the Yi-Ro was reclassified "Chi-Ro". This is the name under which it has
become known in the post WW2 era.
All three Chi-Ro variants saw service during the Second World War, though
they were most commonly deployed in China and Manchuria. Some of the first
armored engagements with the Soviets during the Nomohan Incident featured
the Type 89. Additionally, some examples were deployed in Burma, the
Malaya-Singapore Campaign, and in the Philippines. In 1942, however, the
Chi-Ro was withdrawn from Pacific service and most examples available were
shipped to China. A few were retained in Japan as training vehicles. Some
were occasionally encountered by American and Commonwealth forces
through the end of the war, however.
This distinctively boxy, slab sided vehicle was essentially a Japanese variation
upon the theme of the British Vickers Mark 'C', featuring Japanese armament, a
domestically produced air-cooled gasoline engine, and a slightly different
internal layout. First developed in 1929, what was then classified as the "Yi-Ro"
waited to enter service until an appropriate version of Japan's 57mm Type 90
field gun, was developed for use in a vehicle mounting. Uniquely, the Type 89
would also be the first Japanese armored vehicle to utilize the extremely reliable
bell and scissor crank type suspension, developed by Major Tomio Hara, which
would become standard for all Japanese armored vehicles.
Upon the acceptance of a functional tank mounted version of the 57mm gun, the
Yi-Ro immediately entered front line service, joining an assortment of foreign
vehicles then serving in the Japanese military, most notably the French FT-17.
The armament included the low velocity 57mm gun, supported by a hull mounted
LMG and a secondary LMG mounted to the rear of the turret. The turret itself
was distinctively rounded, oblong shaped, and small. The commander of the
vehicle served as both commander and loader for the vehicle, and was rather
overworked. He was joined by a gunner and driver.
Within a year, the Type 89 had seen its first combat service, during the
Shanghai Incident of 1932. During that engagement, the Japanese immediately
discovered a serious flaw in the gasoline engine, whose air-cooling vents made
it particularly vulnerable to Molotov cocktails. As such, it was decided to scrap
the gasoline engine all together and a new diesel engine was produced. This
was known as the Yi-Ro "Ko" variant, and rapidly replaced the standard Yi-Ro,
with most of these being recalled to the home islands for training purposes.
Additional incidents in China convinced the Japanese that the frontal armor
protection of the "Ko" was not adequate against Chinese heavy machine guns,
and a second variant, the "Otsu" variant was developed. This featured a
significantly improved sloping front armor plate, and is frequently seen fitted
with an unditching tail and side skirts in period photos; some examples of the
"Ko" were fitted with the same equipment. Later, with the development of the
Type 97 Chi-Ha, the prefix "Chi" was adopted as a more or less standard
typological nomenclature for all medium armored vehicles in Japanese service,
and the Yi-Ro was reclassified "Chi-Ro". This is the name under which it has
become known in the post WW2 era.
All three Chi-Ro variants saw service during the Second World War, though
they were most commonly deployed in China and Manchuria. Some of the first
armored engagements with the Soviets during the Nomohan Incident featured
the Type 89. Additionally, some examples were deployed in Burma, the
Malaya-Singapore Campaign, and in the Philippines. In 1942, however, the
Chi-Ro was withdrawn from Pacific service and most examples available were
shipped to China. A few were retained in Japan as training vehicles. Some
were occasionally encountered by American and Commonwealth forces
through the end of the war, however.
Type 97B "Shinhoto"
The Shinhoto was originally intended as a sort of stop-gap measure until the
replacement for the Type 97, the Type 1, could be produced in sufficient
number. In the event, however, the Shinhoto became a front line tank for the
Japanese, and continued to be produced through early 1944.
Even before the war with the Western Allies began, there was concern
amongst Japanese tankers regarding the penetrative power of the 57mm gun.
These concerns had been particularly exacerbated during the Nomohan
incident, when heavier Russian vehicles proved nearly invulnerable to the fire
of Type 97 Chi-Ha tanks operating against them in Manchuria.
A number of solutions were proposed, including the development of a larger
anti-tank round, but ultimately it was decided to significantly increase the muzzle
velocity and penetrative power of the 47mm gun then being deployed in support
of infantry formations. This weapon was, initially, intended for mounting on an
entirely new chassis, and a considerably improved and expanded turret was
drawn up for mounting it. The new turret featured the same precision gun-laying
technology found in the Type 97, but protection was increased, internal
arrangement of the turret was significantly altered, and space within nearly
tripled; one added benefit of the turret was the addition of a third man, allowing
the Commander to give up his role of Loader, a position he had been required to
fill in all medium tanks produced by the Japanese to this point. Of course, the
firepower of the main weapon was also significantly improved. The new tank
was to be classified 'Type 1 Chi-He'.
The sudden advent of war with the Western Allies, and the general lethargy of
a military infrastructure more interested in warships and aircraft at the time,
however, found the Type 1completely unready for war. Near 1,000 turrets,
however, had already been produced, and it was decided to pull nearly all of
the Type 97 Chi-Ha tanks ordered for completion in 1941-42 from the production
line and to equip them with the newer 47mm turret instead. This became known
as the Type 97B Shinhoto, or "Type 97, New Turret ". The new design was
rushed into the field with admirable efficiency, with the first examples seeing
combat on Corregidor in early 1942.
Allied intelligence reports indicate a number of successful armor penetrations,
immobilizations, and kills with the new Shinhoto tank at ranges upwards of
1,000 meters, but this could not completely overshadow the extremely poor
protection with which it had been provided. Unfortunately, the Shinhoto was
built upon the Chi-a chassis, and armor protection was only marginally improved
in the area of the turret. Beyond this, all armor plating remained the same. While
useful against heavy machine guns, this armor was not proof against anti-tank
rounds, and a great many Type 97B tanks were destroyed as a result.
Nevertheless, the Type 97B Shinhoto was arguably the best commonly
encountered Japanese tank of the war.
The Shinhoto was originally intended as a sort of stop-gap measure until the
replacement for the Type 97, the Type 1, could be produced in sufficient
number. In the event, however, the Shinhoto became a front line tank for the
Japanese, and continued to be produced through early 1944.
Even before the war with the Western Allies began, there was concern
amongst Japanese tankers regarding the penetrative power of the 57mm gun.
These concerns had been particularly exacerbated during the Nomohan
incident, when heavier Russian vehicles proved nearly invulnerable to the fire
of Type 97 Chi-Ha tanks operating against them in Manchuria.
A number of solutions were proposed, including the development of a larger
anti-tank round, but ultimately it was decided to significantly increase the muzzle
velocity and penetrative power of the 47mm gun then being deployed in support
of infantry formations. This weapon was, initially, intended for mounting on an
entirely new chassis, and a considerably improved and expanded turret was
drawn up for mounting it. The new turret featured the same precision gun-laying
technology found in the Type 97, but protection was increased, internal
arrangement of the turret was significantly altered, and space within nearly
tripled; one added benefit of the turret was the addition of a third man, allowing
the Commander to give up his role of Loader, a position he had been required to
fill in all medium tanks produced by the Japanese to this point. Of course, the
firepower of the main weapon was also significantly improved. The new tank
was to be classified 'Type 1 Chi-He'.
The sudden advent of war with the Western Allies, and the general lethargy of
a military infrastructure more interested in warships and aircraft at the time,
however, found the Type 1completely unready for war. Near 1,000 turrets,
however, had already been produced, and it was decided to pull nearly all of
the Type 97 Chi-Ha tanks ordered for completion in 1941-42 from the production
line and to equip them with the newer 47mm turret instead. This became known
as the Type 97B Shinhoto, or "Type 97, New Turret ". The new design was
rushed into the field with admirable efficiency, with the first examples seeing
combat on Corregidor in early 1942.
Allied intelligence reports indicate a number of successful armor penetrations,
immobilizations, and kills with the new Shinhoto tank at ranges upwards of
1,000 meters, but this could not completely overshadow the extremely poor
protection with which it had been provided. Unfortunately, the Shinhoto was
built upon the Chi-a chassis, and armor protection was only marginally improved
in the area of the turret. Beyond this, all armor plating remained the same. While
useful against heavy machine guns, this armor was not proof against anti-tank
rounds, and a great many Type 97B tanks were destroyed as a result.
Nevertheless, the Type 97B Shinhoto was arguably the best commonly
encountered Japanese tank of the war.
Type 1 Chi-He
Originally intended as a replacement for the Type 97 Chi-Ha, the Chi-He was
delayed not once, but twice. The first delay occurred when it was discovered
that Japan's tank production facilities would need to be completely re-tooled in
order to produce the larger, all welded hull of the Type 1. As a result, production
was extremely limited for the first run.
In 1942, Japan's single largest tank production run took place, but re-tooling of
the factories was not ready until the second half of the year, at which point it
was declared that aircraft production would be the priority of all production
facilities not already given over to the shipyards. As a result, a little less than
six hundred examples appeared, about half of which were deployed outside the
home islands. Therefore, numbers were never sufficient to completely replace
the Type 97. Nevertheless, a large number of turrets were produced, and this
resulted in the hybrid Type 97 Shinhoto.
The Type 1 was a marked improvement over the Type 97. Its superstructure,
hull, and main armament were a radical departure from previous Japanese
designs. While the vehicle did retain the excellent low ground pressure ratio
found in most Japanese vehicles, balance was considerably improved, the hull
superstructure took on a completely new appearance, and the entire vehicle
was welded, something which had only been attempted previously with
tankettes.
While the welded armor plate was not as heavy as that of the M4 Sherman, it
was a considerable step forward in armor protection for the Japanese, finally
producing a vehicle which could provide adequate protection against Allied
anti-tank rounds. Notably, the vehicle was also significantly larger than other
Japanese vehicles, with a crew of five.
The standard Type 1 armament was the newly redesigned Type 1 47mm
Anti-Tank Gun, based upon Japan's 47mm Infantry Gun. Coaxial, hull, and rear
mounted turret machine guns were also installed.
The Chi-He first saw combat in 1942, and was found in places such as
Guadalcanal, but large numbers were not employed against the Allies until the
late war period. Several examples were involved, for example, in the battles on
Luzon. In general, performance of the Chi He was quite good, but the small
numbers deployed and Japanese armor doctrine prevented the Type 1 from
perhaps making a bigger impact upon the course of the war.
It should be noted that, whilst the Type 1 Chi-He was actually used in combat,
very few miniatures manufacturers produce a Type 1 model. Conversions are
probably possible, as the Allies frequently misidentified the Chi-He as an
"over-sized Chi-Ha". Fortunately for the Japanese, this was gross
understatement.
Originally intended as a replacement for the Type 97 Chi-Ha, the Chi-He was
delayed not once, but twice. The first delay occurred when it was discovered
that Japan's tank production facilities would need to be completely re-tooled in
order to produce the larger, all welded hull of the Type 1. As a result, production
was extremely limited for the first run.
In 1942, Japan's single largest tank production run took place, but re-tooling of
the factories was not ready until the second half of the year, at which point it
was declared that aircraft production would be the priority of all production
facilities not already given over to the shipyards. As a result, a little less than
six hundred examples appeared, about half of which were deployed outside the
home islands. Therefore, numbers were never sufficient to completely replace
the Type 97. Nevertheless, a large number of turrets were produced, and this
resulted in the hybrid Type 97 Shinhoto.
The Type 1 was a marked improvement over the Type 97. Its superstructure,
hull, and main armament were a radical departure from previous Japanese
designs. While the vehicle did retain the excellent low ground pressure ratio
found in most Japanese vehicles, balance was considerably improved, the hull
superstructure took on a completely new appearance, and the entire vehicle
was welded, something which had only been attempted previously with
tankettes.
While the welded armor plate was not as heavy as that of the M4 Sherman, it
was a considerable step forward in armor protection for the Japanese, finally
producing a vehicle which could provide adequate protection against Allied
anti-tank rounds. Notably, the vehicle was also significantly larger than other
Japanese vehicles, with a crew of five.
The standard Type 1 armament was the newly redesigned Type 1 47mm
Anti-Tank Gun, based upon Japan's 47mm Infantry Gun. Coaxial, hull, and rear
mounted turret machine guns were also installed.
The Chi-He first saw combat in 1942, and was found in places such as
Guadalcanal, but large numbers were not employed against the Allies until the
late war period. Several examples were involved, for example, in the battles on
Luzon. In general, performance of the Chi He was quite good, but the small
numbers deployed and Japanese armor doctrine prevented the Type 1 from
perhaps making a bigger impact upon the course of the war.
It should be noted that, whilst the Type 1 Chi-He was actually used in combat,
very few miniatures manufacturers produce a Type 1 model. Conversions are
probably possible, as the Allies frequently misidentified the Chi-He as an
"over-sized Chi-Ha". Fortunately for the Japanese, this was gross
understatement.
Type 3 Chi-Nu
The Chi-Nu was conceived in 1943 as part of the IJA decision to radically alter
established armor doctrine. As a part of this program, the need was envisioned
for a powerful vehicle of moderate complexity which could operate efficiently
against Allied armor formations but survive the radically difficult terrain of the
Pacific theatre and the mountainous terrain of the Burma and China theatres
with equal ease.
The first prototypes were produced relatively quickly, helped along by the gift
from Hitler of a small number of Tiger and Panther tanks, and a program which
featured cooperative training exercises with Germany's most elite tank
regiments. (Oddly enough, at least one Japanese crew seems to have taken
part in the Ardennes offensive in late 1944.)
Initially, the Japanese had intended to produce a tank using a more or less exact
copy of the German 8.8 gun, but machining problems and the continually
escalating need for easily produced components in wake of an increasing
shortage of effective aircraft and warships resulted in the adoption of a slightly
earlier model weapon based upon the French 75mle Schneider, which had
already been used successfully in the Type 1 Ho-Ni. Initial tests proved quite
promising, and a new turret was designed to use the 75, while the 8.8 project
was set aside for future use.
The hull of the Type 3 was a welded, up-armored version of the Type 1
chassis, which then was provided with the best protection yet provided to a
Japanese tank. The mounting points of machine guns are somewhat debated by
the sources; photographic evidence seems to point to a hull and coaxial
machine gun, but some Japanese illustrations depict two side mounted machine
guns in the over-sized turret as well as the standard LMG mounting in the rear
of the turret. The illustration provided here, in fact, makes just such a suggestion
Photos of examples still in existence do depict such ports, but I would theorize
that they are for small arms or observation, as opposed to light machine gun
mountings.
Production of the Type 3 began in early 1944, but was delayed considerably.
While the factories were, at this point, capable of handling all welded
construction in armored vehicles, other priorities continued to be critical and the
Chi-Nu was only produced in limited quantities prior to the end of the war, with a
total of about sixty-six units completed.
Much debate surrounds the combat record of the Chi-Nu, though it seems fairly
clear that the Chi-Nu was never deployed outside the immediate vicinity of the
Home Islands. Some have argued that the Chi-Nu saw action at Okinawa and/or
Iwo Jima, but there is no corroborating evidence for this, and it must be
regarded as speculative at best. At best, it is absolutely beyond disproof that
the Japanese had intended to use the Chi-Nu in defense against the impending
Allied invasion, and a number of them were found in camouflaged positions at
the time of the American occupation.
The chief problem seems to have been not that the Japanese were unwilling to
deploy the Chi-Nu, or that it was unsatisfactory as a vehicle as some have
alleged, but that Japan, which had lost nearly eighty-five percent of its merchant
carrying capacity by late 1944, simply lacked the necessary tonnage to ship the
Chi-Nu to island outposts.
If engaged in combat, the Chi-Nu would most likely have been quite a formidable
opponent, particularly given the extraordinary measures taken to train Japanese
tankers in German armor doctrine. At best, however, this would probably have
been too little, too late. Of course, with Operation Olympic, anything would be
possible.
The Chi-Nu was conceived in 1943 as part of the IJA decision to radically alter
established armor doctrine. As a part of this program, the need was envisioned
for a powerful vehicle of moderate complexity which could operate efficiently
against Allied armor formations but survive the radically difficult terrain of the
Pacific theatre and the mountainous terrain of the Burma and China theatres
with equal ease.
The first prototypes were produced relatively quickly, helped along by the gift
from Hitler of a small number of Tiger and Panther tanks, and a program which
featured cooperative training exercises with Germany's most elite tank
regiments. (Oddly enough, at least one Japanese crew seems to have taken
part in the Ardennes offensive in late 1944.)
Initially, the Japanese had intended to produce a tank using a more or less exact
copy of the German 8.8 gun, but machining problems and the continually
escalating need for easily produced components in wake of an increasing
shortage of effective aircraft and warships resulted in the adoption of a slightly
earlier model weapon based upon the French 75mle Schneider, which had
already been used successfully in the Type 1 Ho-Ni. Initial tests proved quite
promising, and a new turret was designed to use the 75, while the 8.8 project
was set aside for future use.
The hull of the Type 3 was a welded, up-armored version of the Type 1
chassis, which then was provided with the best protection yet provided to a
Japanese tank. The mounting points of machine guns are somewhat debated by
the sources; photographic evidence seems to point to a hull and coaxial
machine gun, but some Japanese illustrations depict two side mounted machine
guns in the over-sized turret as well as the standard LMG mounting in the rear
of the turret. The illustration provided here, in fact, makes just such a suggestion
Photos of examples still in existence do depict such ports, but I would theorize
that they are for small arms or observation, as opposed to light machine gun
mountings.
Production of the Type 3 began in early 1944, but was delayed considerably.
While the factories were, at this point, capable of handling all welded
construction in armored vehicles, other priorities continued to be critical and the
Chi-Nu was only produced in limited quantities prior to the end of the war, with a
total of about sixty-six units completed.
Much debate surrounds the combat record of the Chi-Nu, though it seems fairly
clear that the Chi-Nu was never deployed outside the immediate vicinity of the
Home Islands. Some have argued that the Chi-Nu saw action at Okinawa and/or
Iwo Jima, but there is no corroborating evidence for this, and it must be
regarded as speculative at best. At best, it is absolutely beyond disproof that
the Japanese had intended to use the Chi-Nu in defense against the impending
Allied invasion, and a number of them were found in camouflaged positions at
the time of the American occupation.
The chief problem seems to have been not that the Japanese were unwilling to
deploy the Chi-Nu, or that it was unsatisfactory as a vehicle as some have
alleged, but that Japan, which had lost nearly eighty-five percent of its merchant
carrying capacity by late 1944, simply lacked the necessary tonnage to ship the
Chi-Nu to island outposts.
If engaged in combat, the Chi-Nu would most likely have been quite a formidable
opponent, particularly given the extraordinary measures taken to train Japanese
tankers in German armor doctrine. At best, however, this would probably have
been too little, too late. Of course, with Operation Olympic, anything would be
possible.
SENSHAN - Japanese Armored Vehicles of the Second World War
