Type 97 Chi-Ha

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Type 97 Chi-Ha
Type 97 Chi-Ha
Type 97 Chi-Ha tank at Yasukuni Shrine
Specifications
Weight 15.8 tonnes
Length 5.50 m
Width 2.34 m
Height 2.38 m
Crew 4
Armor 33 mm
Primary
armament		 57 mm Type 97 gun
Secondary
armament		 two 7.7 mm Type 97 machine gun
Engine V-12 21.7 l diesel Mitsubishi Type 97
170 hp (130 kW)
Power/weight 11 hp/tonne
Suspension bell-crank
Operational
range		 210 km
Speed 38 km/h

The Type 97 Chi-Ha was the most widely produced Japanese medium tank of World War II. It was used before, during and after World War II in the Pacific War, including 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. Postwar, a few were used by the Chinese People's Liberation Army.

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. The Type 97 was a development of the Type 95 light Tank and reflects the process of modernization of Japanese tank warfare prior to World War II.

Contents

[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 class 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 their first air-cooled diesel engines into practical use in 1936. [1] 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 which was difficult for Japan to supply.
  • Air-cooled engines were more practical in areas with little water.

As they could not agree, two different prototypes were made; the Chi-Ha and 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 Chi-Ha had 33 mm of armour on the turret front, 22 mm on the hull front, but only 9 mm on the hull sides. The armour was much less than the contemporary British Matilda tank's and soon all Allied tank designs would leave it behind.

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 conventionally shaped and modern, quite unlike the Type 89 Chi-Ro medium tank.

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 small periscope 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 was placed atop 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 prone to overheating when the vehicle ran at higher speeds.

[edit] Development of the Shinhoto Chi-Ha

A Type 97 Chi-Ha tank in Bukit Timah.
A Type 97 Chi-Ha tank in Bukit Timah.
Type 97 Shinhoto Chi-Ha on display at the United States Army Ordnance Museum in Aberdeen
Type 97 Shinhoto Chi-Ha on display at the United States Army Ordnance Museum in Aberdeen

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 were no tank against tank actions. The shortcomings 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 Light 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 Light 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 Stuart 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 37 mm 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] 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 57 mm gun is unknown. This data indicates that the number of Type 97 medium tanks produced were slightly lower than the output of Type 95 light tanks, but probably larger than any other medium tank fielded by Japan during WWII.

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[who?] 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 against the Soviet Union in the Nomonhan Incident of July 1939. The 3rd Tank Regiment of Yasuoka Detachment 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 a 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.

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 47 mm 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 120 mm main gun for defense in metropolitan areas also.

Although the type served with Imperial forces until the end of war, it was hopelessly outclassed by even medium Soviet T-34/85s and American Shermans.

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

[edit] Variants

Main article: List of Type 97 Chi-Ha variants

[edit] See also

[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
  • Zaloga, Steven J. (2007). Japanese Tanks 1939-45. Osprey. ISBN 978-1-84603-091-8.

[edit] References

  1. ^ ISUZU:A Legendary History

[edit] External links


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