Type 97 Chi-Ha

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Type 97 Chi-Ha tank at Yasukuni Shrine
Type 97 Chi-Ha
General characteristics
Crew	4
Length	5.50 m
Width	2.34 m
Height	2.38 m
Weight	15.8 tonnes
Armour and armament
Armour	33 mm
Main armament	57 mm Type 97 gun
Secondary armament	two 7.7 mm Type 97 machine gun
Mobility
Power plant	V-12 21.7 l diesel Mitsubishi Type 97 170 hp (130 kW)
Suspension	bell-crank
Road speed	38 km/h
Power/weight	11 hp/tonne
Range	210 km

The Type 97 Chi-Ha was the most produced Japanese medium tank of World War II. It was a typical tank of the Imperial Japanese Army and was used before and throughout World War II in the Pacific War, including the China and the Kuril Islands. With thin armour, a relatively small main gun and an underpowered engine, it was less effective than most Allied designs.

Its low silhouette, aerial spread around the vehicle top, asymmetric turret, complicated body front, and seesaw-type suspension system combined to give the tank a unique appearance that distinguished it from other Japanese tanks of that time.from development of Type 95 ligth Tank and later same proper technical history Type 97 reflects the process of modernization of Japanese Tank Warfare before at WW2.

Contents 1 Development 2 Design 2.1 Development of the Shinhoto Chi-Ha 2.2 Tank Transports and Tank Carriers 3 Production 4 Combat history 5 Variants 6 See also 7 Sources 8 External links

[edit] Development

With the Type 89 Chi-Ro fast becoming obsolete in the late 1930s, Japan chose a design by Mitsubishi as its replacement as the new main tank for infantry support and began production in 1937. The Chi-Ha tank was designed to be a scaled-up four-man version of the Type 95 Ha-Go light tank with a two-man turret, thicker armour and more power to maintain performance despite own considerable (15 tonne) weight.

At that time, the Japanese Army was divided into two camps as to what sort of a tank to build.^{[citation needed]} The Imperial General Headquarters, the Osaka Arsenal and the Ministry of War wanted to build as many small and inexpensive tanks as soon as possible. Troops at the front, the Sagami Arsenal and other Army experts wanted heavier tanks with better performance. Since both sides held fast to their positions, it was decided to make and study two different experimental tanks. This was very different from the conventional practice of giving the same specifications to several competitors and having them each make their own experimental vehicle. The advantages and disadvantages of the two types was clear from their design drawings. Therefore, the difference of opinion that existed before the design stage remained unchanged even when the experimental vehicles were completed.

The Tokyo factory of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries completed an experimental vehicle called Chi-Ha and the Army's Osaka Arsenal completed the Chi-Ni. Chi came from Chusen-Sha ("Medium Tank"). Ha and Ni equate to "C" and "D" making the Chi-Ha the "Medium Tank Model 3" and the Chi-Ni' "Medium tank Model 4"

The Japanese successfully put air-cooled diesel engines into the practical use for first time in the world in 1934.^{[citation needed]} There were several reasons why the Japanese developed and adopted them for use in armoured vehicles instead of petrol engines and water-cooled diesel engines:

• Experience with petrol engines showed they might catch fire when they backfired or when the vehicle received a direct hit.
• Petrol engines consumed more expensive refined fuel, and Japan's lack of oil resources made it difficult to supply armoured units with sufficient petrol and refined fuel in wartime.
• Air-cooled engines were more practical in areas where little water was obtainable.

An air-cooled V 12-cylinder engine was developed for the Chi-Ha vehicle which gave 170 hp (125 kW). Two different experimental engines of this type were made by Mitsubishi and Ikegai Iron Works Ltd. In any event, the Army chose the Mitsubishi design as the "V-12 21.7 l diesel Mitsubishi Type 97" which also gave 170 hp (125 kW).

While still in the production stage the Second Sino-Japanese War broke out on 7 July, 1937. Peacetime budgetary limitations were removed, and the Chi-Ha model was accepted as a new medium tank. In June 1937 Chi-Ha was tested at the Army Tank School in Chiba. The two improved prototypes were tested in January 1938. At that stage, the Chi-Ha like the later German Panther tank had staggered overlapping road wheels. In the same year the design with independently sprung first and sixth road wheels were was officially accepted for production. Known as the "Type 97 medium tank" it was s well-shaped and modern, quite unlike the Type 89 Chi-Ro medium tank.

Another German influence was seen in the Chi-Ha's armor. During early stages of the Chinese conflict, Japanese forces captured a Panzer I. From research of such captured armor and because the Chi-Ha was equal in size and performance to Panzerkampfwagen II, during the war the Japanese government purchased a specially equipped Tiger I as well as papers, instructions and plans of the Panther tank. These items would only reach Japan via submarine in the last days of the conflict. The Japanese would take ideas from both these tanks as well as other German armored vehicles (Jagdtiger,Sturmgeschütz, Elefant etc) which would affect developments of the Chi-Has descendants: the Type 4 Chi-To tank and the Type 5 Chi-Ri tank among others.

[edit] Design

Since the Ha-Go was not adopted as the main tank of the tank force, the successor to Type 89 Medium Tank was needed. However, there were two different opinions on the new main tank. The Ministry of War requested a low-priced tank due to the limited budget and the IGHQ agreed with it because they made much of the quantity. On the other hand, the tank force made much of the quality and was opposed to a low-priced tank.

As they could not agree, two different prototypes were made; the Chi-Ha amd the Chi-Ni. The prototype Chi-Ha was 13.5 metric tons in weight, 35 km/h and had a two-men turret. The Chi-Ni was 9.8 metric tons, 30 km/h and had a one-man turret. The armor of both prototypes was 25 mm thick. Though the tank force had requested 30 mm thick armour, they accepted the lesser amount because of the weight requirement.

The problem of which would be the new main tank was solved by the outbreak of the Sino-Japanese War. The budget of the Army was increased sharply and the Ministry of War agreed with the introduction of Chi-Ha. The production of Type 97 Medium Tank started in 1937 and it became the main tank of the Army after Type 89 Medium Tank.

The Chi-Ha tank was realtively well-equipped at the beginning of its service life, being armed with the 57 mm gun. It had 33 mm of armour on the turret front, 22 mm on the hull front, but only 9 mm on the hull sides. Much less than the contemporary British Matilda tank and soon all Allied tank designs would leave it behind.

The Type 97 tank was equipped with a Type 97 57 mm main gun; the same calibre as the that used for the Type 89 tank. The cannon was a short barrelled weapon with a relatively low muzzle velocity but sufficient as the tank was intended for infantry support. However it proved insufficient for use against armoured vehicles. It also carried two 7.7 mm Type 97 machine guns, one on the front left of the hull and the other in a ball mount on the rear of the turret. The latter could be remounted on top of the top of turret for anti-aircraft use. The turret was capable of full 360-degree traverse but the main gun had a second pair of trunnions internally allowing a maximum 10-degree traverse independently of the turret. The turret featured a smallperiscope for use when the tank was "buttoned up."

On the front of the tank were a searchlight. The antenna mounted on the side of the tank; the radio being inside.

The hull was of riveted and welded construction with the driver and bow MG gunner in the forward compartment, the fighting compartment centrally, and the engine and transmission in the rear compartment. The commander's cupola surmounted the turret.

The transmission was of the sliding selection type. It had four forward and one reverse speeds with high-low change-over. The steering mechanism was of the clutch-brake type with planetary gears. The fourth gear gave a total reduction gear ratio of 5.58, which on paper means that the Chi-Ha vehicle had a maximum speed of 42 km/h. In practice, however, it had a recommended maximum speed of 38 km/h, because the rubber tires of the road wheels were liable to get hot when the vehicle ran at high velocities.

[edit] Development of the Shinhoto Chi-Ha

The Type 97 Medium Tank was superior to Type 89 Medium Tank in a number of ways. However, it retained the same short-barreled 57 mm gun as that of Type 89. The designer Tomio Hara was not satisfied with it and thought that the new tank should be armed with a high-velocity cannon, designed specifically for tank on tank combat. The Army did not agree as they were satisfied with the existing gun. Their focus was the war in China where there was no tank against tank actions. The short comings of the 57 mm weapon became clear at the Nomonhan Incident, where Soviet tanks 45 mm gun outranged the Japanese tank gun and the Japanese suffered heavy losses as a result. This convinced the Army that a new weapon was needed, and in 1939 began development of a new weapon. Development of the new 47 mm tank gun was completed in 1941. Although it was a smaller caliber weapon, it used a longer barrel and its armour penetration was superior to that of the 57 mm gun.

When the Pacific War began, the 47 mm armed Chi-Ha was still being tested. During the invasion of the Philippines Japanese tanks met the US M3 Medium Tanks. The M3 had relatively thick armour that the Japanese tank guns could not penetrate. The Japanese rushed the new Shinhoto Chi-Ha tanks to the Philippines. The 47 mm gun of the Shinhoto Chi-Ha was tested against a captured M3 Medium Tank. At a range of 1,000 meters, three out of six hits penetrated the front armour. At a distance of 800 meters six out of 9 hits penetrated. However the battle of the Philippines ended without a confrontation between the M3 Medium and a Shinhoto Chi-Ha. ^{[citation needed]}

From 1942 onwards, the Model 97 was armed with the high velocity "Type 1 47 mm Anti-Tank Gun" in a new larger turret. This was the "Type 97 Improved Medium Tank" or Shinhoto Chi-Ha ("new turret"). This design was probably the best tank Japan produced up to 1945.

Shinhoto Chi-Ha was essentially the hull of Type 97 fitted with the turret of a Type 1 Medium Tank, complete with long-barrel gun. This increased combat weight to 16 tonnes, but the longer gun provided a higher muzzle velocity and great armor-penetration capability. The Type 1 47 mm Gun, was derived from some Russian AT guns captured in the Nomonhan conflict and influenced by the German PAK 35/36 37mm AT Gun. Some examples of anti-tank cannons and others were captured from Chinese forces. Certain examples of these German cannons were modified in Japan into the Type Ra 37 mm AT Gun. They were deployed in Guadalcanal and other locations in the war.^{[citation needed]}

Due consideration for the tank-fighting lessons learned from the Type 97 was given when the Type 3 medium tank, Type 4 medium tank, and Type 1 Self-Propelled Gun were designed and trial manufactured. However, raw materials for their production were limited.

[edit] Tank Transports and Tank Carriers

To transport the Chi-Ha and Shinhoto Chi-Ha tanks, the Japanese Army ordered the design of some armed transport vessels and landing craft carriers from Daihatsu. The company designed and manufactured the "Vehicle Landing Craft Daihatsu" and "Vehicle Landing Craft Toku-Daihatsu"; special transport and tank carrier boats with loading capacity of 70 or 120 troops, a Type 97 Medium Tank or 12 or 16.5 tons of cargo. Some 6,000 of the former and 200 of the latter were built. Some were armed with AT gun or AA machine cannon and used as the gun boat. The "Landing Craft Carrier Shinshu Maru", a heavily armed (4 Type 88 75mm AA Gun and 4 20mm AA Machine Cannon) transport vessel with loading capacity of 4 AB-Tei armored boats, 29 Daihatsu vehicle landing crafts, 25 Shohatsu landing crafts amongst 2,200 troops and various armored vehicles. It had a crew of 220 civil seamen and soldiers (1 example.) Originally such vessel were provided with two catapults for loading airplanes. Shinshu Maru is the first ship of landing craft carriers in the world. It loads Daihatsu boats in the hull and launches them from a gate at stern quickly, was same boats are also launched from the gates at the side.

Such landing boats and transport vessel were constructed by Daihatsu. Also designing with such vessels were the Tank Landing Ship SS-Tei, a transport vessel specially designed to transport armored vehicles (630 tons) armed with 1 Type 88 75 mm AA Gun, four 20 mm AA Machine Cannons, one 150 mm mortar, four 7.7 mm machine guns (20 examples) these vessel is the Japanese LST. It held 4 Chi-Ha medium tanks and had a gate at the bow to load and unload tanks. Used also by the IJN under name of ES-Tei.

The Army also ordered the designing of Scort/Landing Craft Carrier Model Ko, Otsu and Hei which carried 15 to 25 landing crafts, troops, armors, together with 8, 20, 24, 27, 28, 33, 37 or 38 airplanes for transport aircraft (fighters, ligth or inclusive twin engined bombers), personal and equipment between conquest lands and islands. Such transport carriers carried crews of 850, 747, 829, 942 or 221 civilian crewmen, Army personnels who manned the defensive armaments, even sometimes IJN crew as well. Other vessels that might carry these units include escort carriers Taiyō Class, Kaiyo Class, Shinyo Class, Kamakura Class, Akitsu Maru Class, Yamashiro Maru Class, and Kumano Maru Class. These were converted from small passenger liners or merchant ships and intended for supporting duties such as training, convoy escort, as well as troop transport.

It's worth noting that Akitsu Maru Class, Yamashiro Maru Class, and Kumano Maru Class are under Army control and equivalent to British/Dutch Merchant aircraft carriers (MAC) for merchant convoys escort duties in the Atlantic theater. At least seven such landing craft carriers (5 examples of model Ko,1 example of Model Otsu,4 examples of Model Hei) were projected. Armaments range from Army 3-inch AA guns and 3-inch bombardment guns aboard early examples to Navy 25mm AA guns and 4.7-inch AA guns for later types. These vessels included Akitsu Maru, Nigitsu Maru, Kumano Maru, Yamashiro Maru, Chigusa Maru, and the Shimane Maru Class Shimane Maru and Otakisan Maru. In addition to their troop transport role, they operated autogyro Kayaba Ka-1 "Ka-Go" and liaison aircraft Kokusai Ki-76 "Stella" armed with two 60 kg depth charges for anti-submarine warfare role.

The Army planned some airborne operations to use Chi-Ha/Shinhoto Chi-Ha armors for airlift transport, and ordered the design and manufacture of some Heavy Transport Glider at Kokusai. This enterprise designed and manufactured some examples of Kokusai Ku-8 II Airborne Glider "Gander" with crew:2,passage of 20 soldiers,charge of 1 artillery cannon with your servants or one armor,along prototypes of Kokusai Ku-7 Airborn Glider "Manazuru"(2 examples)."Gander" Transport Glider design was based in one modified cell of Kokusai Ki-59 "Theresa" transport aircraft,withouth engines transformed in experimental transport heavy glider.The Kokusai Ku-8 as seen by Allieds in Philippines, were towed by one Mitsubishi Ki-21 "Sally" Heavy Bomber, but production of these gliders was suspended because the production of the heavy bomber to draw Ku-7 was delayed and had been cancelled in the long run and the very little quantities was used in common missions to transport personnel and light equipment in last days of conflict.

For long range transportation on land, these medium tanks were transported by rail or by heavy duty trailers and trucks throughout conquered territories.

[edit] Production

The type 97 medium tank was manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (1,224 examples), Hitachi Industries (355 examples), as well as some limited production in Army Sagami Arsenal. A total of 2,123 vehicles were constructed between 1938 to 1943. These numbers include a new type Shinhoto Chi-Ha with type 1 47 mm main gun on the a turret. The exact numbers of Type 97 equipped with 57mm gun is unknown. This means that the number of Type 97 medium tanks was slightly smaller that the Type 95 light tank but, of course, larger than any other main tank of Japan.

The following numbers of tanks were produced each year:

• 1938: 25
• 1939: 202
• 1940: 315
• 1941: 507
• 1942: 531
• 1943: 543

Although production reached a peak in 1943, no vehicles of this model were manufactured the following year. At that time production was ordered to change over to the new Type 1 medium tank, Type 1 Self-Propelled Gun, etc.

Other sources claims why some of such 3000 tanks were produced by Mitsubishi and subcontracted factories during this model's "run". The following specialized tanks were produced: recovery, flail mine clearers, engineer, bridge layers, 20 mm and 75 mm anti-aircraft, and self-propelled guns. These vehicles made very little impact on daily operations owing to their small numbers. Late in the war the Navy installed a 120 mm gun in a limited number of these tanks.

[edit] Combat history

The Type 97 Medium Tank first saw action in the Nomonhan Incident of July 1939. The 3rd Tank Regiment of Yasuoka´s Detachment Force had already received new Type 97 medium tanks as substitutes for existing Type 89 medium tanks, but the Regiment had replaced only four (including the regimental commander's vehicle) by time the Incident occurred. During fierce fighting against the Russians, the regimental commander's vehicle received a hit and Colonel Yoshimaru was killed. This was grave warning that the Type 97 medium tank had not been designed with regard to tank fighting. However, Japan entered World War II before sufficient countermeasures were considered.

In the Invasion of British Malaya at the beginning of the Pacific War, the mobility of Type 97 medium tanks in the 1st and 6th Tank Regiments led to them achieving brilliant results. This significantly improved the morale of troops. However, this success would be short-lived. The Chi-Ha with its short-barreled 57 mm tank gun and maximum armour thickness of only 25 mm proved completely powerless against the Allies Sherman tank that appeared later in the war.

On the December 8 1941, the Japanese Army started an offensive on their Malaya Operations. The 3rd Tank Group had been incorporated into Lieutenant-General Yamashita's 55th Army on December 25. Its 1st, 6th and 14th Tank Regiments took active part in operations.

The 1st Tank Regiment was under 5th Division, which formed part of the Army's main group. The regiment was among the first landing troops at Singora (Songkla) at South Thailand. One of its medium tank companies was the 3rd Tank Company under 1st Lieutenant Yamane (ten Chi-Ha medium tanks and two Ha-Go light tanks), forming part of Saeki Detachment. The company was in the vanguard of the attack and succeeded in breaking through the British defensive positions. Later, the same group participated in the Burma Campaign, and another section of this unit was formed in Manchukuo with medium tanks and self-propelled vehicles.

The Type 97 was due to be replaced by the new Type 1 Chi-He but, as deliveries of those tanks were delayed, the new turret design of the Chi-He with its 47mm gun was fitted to the Type 97s then in production to create the Shinhoto Chi-Ha (New Turret Chi-Ha). The upgunned variant was used for the first time in the Battle of Corregidor.

Chi-Ha and Shinhoto Chi-Ha tanks were also used by Japanese Navy SNLF armored units along naval infantry units in Pacific areas and in defence of the Japanese homeland in expectation of enemy invasion.such service was developed the Short Barrel 120 mm Gun Tank as Chi-Ha s SP variant with 120mm main gun for defense in metropolitan areas also.

In last stages of conflict,certain commanders,approved your mobility and relative velocity,used Type 97 Chi-Ha,along other tanks,trucks and similar vehicles,unarmed, and equipped with inner/outside explosive charges,and crew of 1 or 2 special voluntaires how Kamikaze armed land vehicles for stopped infantry assaults or ramming strikes against enemy armors during figths in South Pacific Mandate and other areas in Pacific Sea.

As the main strength of Tank Regiments, the Type 97 medium tank was forced to fight desperately against long odds until the end of the war in August, 1945 in the 11th Tank Regiment, commanded by Colonel Ikeda, in Shumushu, Kuril Islands against Soviet Army and Marine forces.

Amongst battles previously mentioned, the "Chi-Ha" and "Shinhoto Chi-Ha" models also fought in:

• Dutch East Indies
• French Indochina
• Guadalcanal
• Marianas
• Guam
• Henan-Hunan-Guangxi areas, (China)
• Imphal(India-Burma)
• Leyte-Luzon
• Iwo Jima
• Okinawa
• Manchukuo
• North Chosen
• Kuriles.

[edit] Variants

• Shi-Ki

Command tank with 37 mm gun in hull instead of the MG; the turret gun was only a dummy. A long range radio was installed with a rail antenna fitted around the top of the turret.

• Se-Ri

Armoured recovery vehicle with a collapsible crane powered by a 240 hp diesel engine.

• Ho-Ni I

Turret removed and 75 mm gun installed to create a self-propelled gun. They were organized along similar lines as artillery units.

• Ho-Ni II

As the Ho-Ni I with a 105 mm gun.

• Ho-Ni III

The Ho-Ni III had an enclosed fighting compartment around the gun and was deployed in tank regiments as a tank destroyer.

• "Mine Clearing Tank G"

Fitted with 2 revolving drums carrying rows of chains. Essentially a copy of the British mine flail tanks.

• Type 4 Ho-Ro

A 150 mm gun installed in place of the turret.

• Ho-K

A Type 97 with the turret removed and a steel prow mounted for creating paths through forests. Used in Manchuria to aid the fight against the Soviet Union. One group was sent to New Guinea for use in the construction of an airfield there.

• Type 97 Special Shinhoto Shi-Ha

Type 97 with a new turret armed with the Type 1 47 mm gun.

• Ka-So

Observation tank with dummy main gun.

• "High-Voltage Dynamo Vehicle" Ka-Ha

The Ka-Ha was a Type 97 tank. The main gun was a dummy and there was no machinegun. It carried a dynamo which could generate a high voltage (10,000 Volt) current.[1]

• "Type 97 Chi-Ha" Special Attack Vehicle

As Chi-Ha Tank special modification in combat front,unarmed,equipped with inner/outside explosive charges with crew of 1 or 2,for Kamikaze use in collision strikes against enemy armors or infantry assaults.

The basic chassis of the Type 97 Medium Tank was used to as the basis for other armoured vehicles - see List of Type 97 Chi-Ha related armoured fighting vehicles

[edit] See also

• Military Detachment WW2 (Japan)
• Organization of Tank Company inside of Tank Regiment(WW2)
• Japanese Army standart Camouflage patterns(WW2)
• Development of Diesel Engine in WW2(Japan)
• Development of Japanese Self-Propelled Guns in WW2
• Development of Japanese Tank in WW2
• List of Japanese HEAT Shells in WW2
• List of engines and weapons aboard of Japanese Tanks and Armored Cars (WW2)

[edit] Sources

• JAPANESE MEDIUM TANK TYPE 97 CHI-HA,1/35 Scale Model, Military Miniature Series, TAMIYA INC.Shizuoka,Japan.Item 35075 (Assembly Instructions)
• Chant, Christopher. (1996). Armoured Fighting Vehicles of the 20th Century, Tiger Books International, London.
• Gander, Terry J. (1995). Jane's Tanks of World War II. Harper Collins. ISBN 0-00-470847-4

[edit] External links

• http://www3.plala.or.jp/takihome/
• http://www.tankhistory.com/
• LemaireSoft
• WWII vehicles
• Specifications at OnWar
• Photo gallery at military.cz

Japanese armoured fighting vehicles of World War II
Tankettes
Type 92 Jyu-Sokosha | Type 94 Te-Ke | Type 97 Te-Ke
Light Tanks
Type 95 Ha-Go | Type 98 Ke-Ni/Type 2 Ke-To
Amphibious Tanks
Type 2 Ka-Mi | Type 3 Ka-Chi
Medium Tanks
Type 89 Chi-Ro | Type 97 Chi-Ha | Type 1 Chi-He | Type 2 Ho-I | Type 3 Chi-Nu
APCs
Type 1 Ho-Ha | Type 1 Ho-Ki | Type 98 So-Da | Type 4 Ka-Tsu
Self-propelled artillery (including AA guns)
Type 98 20 mm | Type 98 20 mm AA Half-Track | Type 1 Ho-Ni | Type 4 Ho-Ro
Japanese armoured fighting vehicle production during World War II