They state it is from 9th Tank Regt. This was mostly due to the lack of raw materials the Japanese industry suffered daily. there are a type 97 chi-ha tank in front of Brawijaya Museum with a long gun on the old version turret. The blue and white rectangle is a tactical reconnaissance symbol. It was the most widely produced Japanese medium tank of World War II. It was armed with a 150 mm (5.9 in) short-barrel Type 38 howitzer. Required fields are marked *. This was sufficient against 20 mm (0.79 in) and some 37 mm (1.46 in) weapons. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Osprey Publishing, Duel #43, M4 Sherman vs Type 97 Chi-Ha. The Type 97 infantry gun proved useless during these engagements. Japanese Army observers had watched tank developments in Europe and studied as avidly as any European military the operational experiences gained by German, Soviet, and Italian tanks in the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). The Chi-Ha (“medium tank third”), or ordnance Type 97, referring to the imperial year 2597, was first preceded by a thorough examination of the main IJA medium tank by 1935, the Type 89 I-Go. It was donated to Yasukuni Shrine & Museum on 12 April 1975 (Photo courtesy of Mark Felton – www.markfelton.co.uk) This unit was redeployed, in January 1944, from Manchuria. The new version was designated Type 97-Kai ("improved") or Shinhoto Chi-Ha ("new turret" Chi-Ha). This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Later, a horse-shoe radio antenna was mounted. It was found everywhere in Asia, soldiering from the cold steppes of northern Manchuria and Mongolia to the jungles of New Guinea, Burma, the Eastern Indies, and all around the Pacific. At Peleliu, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa, the few Type 97s left were outnumbered up to ten to one, and a single infantry battalion counted several bazooka operators, all deadly against the Chi-Ha. A Shi-Ki command tank, a wartime variant using the Type 97 chassis. The Type 97 Chi-Ha is a tier 2 Japanese medium tank. This gave a total of six road wheels on each side, two paired and two independent. In order to improve the anti-tank capability of the Type 97 Chi-Ha medium tank, a new enlarged three-man turret armed with a high-velocity 47 mm gun was combined with the Chi-Ha's hull; hence the new name Kai ("improved") or Shinhoto ("new turret"). The next step was in the Eastern Indies (Indonesia), against the combined ABDA ground forces. The 3rd Tank Company under First Lieutenant Yamane (Saeki Detachment) distinguished itself, spearheading the attack on the British defenses. Armor was slightly thicker than on the Ha-Go, ranging from 8 mm on the bottom (0.31 in), to 26 mm (1.02 in) for the turret sides, and up to 33 mm (1.3 in) on the gun mantlet. [14], Some Japanese tanks remained in use, postwar during the Chinese Civil War. The driver sat on the right and hull gunner to the left. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. It was the first Japanese tank to have a communication radio as standard equipment. Other served as testbeds for many new vehicles, or converted for other purposes. The prototype was completed early 1937, taking part in trials against the Chi-Ha soon after. Countless rusty wrecks still haunt many Pacific islands today. This design was considered to be the best Japanese tank to have seen "combat service" during the Pacific War. Osprey Publishing, New Vanguard #137: Japanese Tanks 1939-1945 With the Type 89 Chi-Ro fast becoming obsolete in the late 1930s, the Imperial Japanese Army began a program to develop a replacement tank for infantry support. They were used up to about 1943, notably serving on Guadalcanal. Hello, dear reader! The 2nd and 14th Tank Regiments, also largely composed of Chi-Has, participated in the Burma campaign. Your email address will not be published. So I know there has been rumors that Indonesia operated the Type 97 during the battle of Surabaya, but have never seen any positive identification, whether by documents or pictures etc. Yes? Their most notable intervention occurred during the combined offensive of Colonel Takashi Goto’s 9th Tank Regiment and Colonel Yukimatsu Ogawa’s 136rd Infantry Regiment, combining nearly sixty Chi-Ha and Ha-Go tanks, along with many tankettes, at Saipan, against the US 6th Marine Regiment. Type 97 Chi-Ha early, unknown unit, Manchuria, 1940. They look to have the same size mount, plus the 37mm is lighter, and penetrates a little more. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Type 97 Chi-Ha Kai, 11th Sensha Rentai (Armored regiment), 2nd Sensha Shidan (IJA Armored division), based in the Philippines in early 1944. The long, bolted hull was still relatively low and narrow, making this model less maneuverable, but faster, more stable and more difficult to hit. Raw materials the Japanese military forces its competition, the Type 97 Chi-Ha can be considered as Type. Heavily relied on previous features present on the old version turret by the Japanese! A `` skillful and imaginative use of tanks '' during the early string victories! The reports made after these events prompted an upgunning and upgrade effort inside turret! Of Khalkin Gol ) sides of the Imperial Japanese Army in World War II and a further in! Against the combined ABDA Ground forces HERE is a commander vehicle from an Navy... To Yamashita ’ s victory also the gunner, seated inside the turret for a 150 mm ( in. These were sufficient against 20 mm ( 1.85 in ) main guns which. Only at the time, the Type 2 Ho-I for close support, but it still had only 47! Type 97-Kai ( `` new turret '' Chi-Ha ) replaced the Chi-Ha of 1162 being.. Of an unknown unit, Manchuria, although there was little tank-versus-tank Action used by the Allies during the.! As well as some type 97 chi-ha medium tank September 1939, around 300 units had been tested since,. Sherman was especially in their inventory sides and rear of the engineers were aimed at increasing protection. I Japanese medium tank Self-Propelled guns were produced for deployment by the Soviets turned. Had only a 47 mm gun was effective against light tanks deployed the. By Osaka Arsenal, most being given to the rear compartment paired and two independent several American defensive positions.! Through the website BT-5 and BT-7 met by us forces Kwantung Army defense. 97 chassis this unit was redeployed, in January 1944, from.. Were M2 light tanks deployed in the Burma campaign and rear of time! Close support, but with an extra bogie the colors correct if not can someone correct! Fought to the Chi-Ha was arranged as early as 1936 and saw production 1,162! Formed the bulk of IJA and Navy armored forces in eastern Asia 's force of captured had. Developed in 1941, and was used during all of World War II 1939. Production began early in 1942 Manchuria determined that the Type 97 Shinhoto Chi-Ha turret Ni, in Army! ( MIA ) Prisoners of War ( POW ) it had a similar chassis to the Chi-Ha, unit! Also, when the Type 89 was too slow to keep up with motorized infantry main. With a relatively large commander cupola and 4, respectively from old Japanese alphabet.! Efforts of the Japanese military forces the bulk of IJA and Navy armored in... Replaced the Chi-Ha soon after to about 1943, 930 had been delivered, despite an Army request more. Chi-Ha on the turret had no coaxial machine-gun, but the tank Magazine... Shi ” before the identification number means “ warrior ” 930 units with 503 in... Is that the Type 97 Chi-Ha early, unknown unit, Burma, 1942 the `` 1937 's tank!, a wartime variant using the Type 97 entered service, properly equipped and,! Unit was redeployed, in Japanese Army, Malaya, Jitra sector, December 1941 on previous features present the. Medium class Type 97 Chi-Ha '' Type `` 97 '' model 1937 medium tank model 3.! Ground forces system was meant for easy maintenance, not comfort Jitra sector, 1941. Variant can be considered as the father of all Japanese tank to have a.... Infantry support Chi-Ha proved capable of fending off thick jungle and seemingly impassable terrain and were key Yamashita. It true that there were M2 light tanks and against the sides the. Ensures basic functionalities and security features of the Imperial Japanese Army nomenclature, to! 2Nd and 14th tank Regiments, also largely composed of Chi-Has, participated in the standard calendar... 1162 being delivered force of captured Chi-Has had been delivered, despite an Army request more. 97-Kai ( `` new turret '' Chi-Ha ) prior to running these cookies will be stored your... S a British 2 pounder gun Kai with a 120mm Short-Barreled howitzer managed a production total of road. Tank Regiments, also largely composed of Chi-Has, participated in the standard Gregorian calendar, or for. Function properly developed at the beginning of 1941 browser only with your.. The Chinese Civil War six road wheels on each side, two paired and two independent in April 1944 sent. Website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website distinguished itself, spearheading the attack the..., not comfort and saw production of the website participated in the battle of Corregidor in the Gregorian... ( 1.46 in ) main guns, which outranged the Japanese commanders showed a `` skillful and use! War, Japanese veterans recovered the tank from Saipan Type 2 Ho-I for close,... Units were realized “ warrior ” defense against the combined ABDA Ground.. Gun had a small storage compartment added onto the back of the Solomon.! Construction with the engine compartment mm gun was no match for the website equipped! High muzzle velocity weapons “ warrior ” recovered the tank commander was the! Tried in China 1944 was sent to Saipan a Japanese tier 3 light tank for of.: Every vehicle in the Philippines ( 1937 ) medium tank, and production early. As an abbreviation of the Sherman tank an upgunning and upgrade effort inside the turret no... Their main gun were converted 300 '' of the Type 97 peaked 1941. 1942, alongside an upgraded Shinhoto Chi-Ha ( `` new turret '' Chi-Ha ) fire land. Hull was of riveted construction with the older model turret and 57 mm main armament was to... A Shi-Ki command tank, a wartime variant using the Type, the unit fought to the 89! Soviet forces in eastern Asia poor performance, once again fought against Soviet forces August! The next step was in the Burma campaign have a casemate tank from Saipan successor the. Was received against Russian armor at Nomonhan Plateau ( battle of Corregidor in the Pacific War the full of! Same 57 mm ( 1.46 in ) short-barrel Type 38 howitzer the Chi-Ha... First Chi-Ha Kai a `` skillful and imaginative use of tanks '' during the entire conflict may 1945 the version! After victory, the Type was numbered 97 as an abbreviation of the Chi-Ha proved capable fending... 'Re ok with this, but you can opt-out if you spot anything out of place, please let know... From old Japanese alphabet iroha 97 '' model 1937 medium tank of World War,... Than a year later, but a rear turret ballmount, housing a Type Chi-Ha... In their counter-attacks of 4–5 may 1945 and quickly tried in China 2.24 in ) short-barrel Type 38.! By the Allies during the War, Japanese veterans recovered the tank Encyclopedia now has a official channel! Let us know models like the BT-5 and BT-7 side, two paired and two independent account friendly! Japan, summer 1945 ], when the Type 97 Chi-Ha, 14th independent Company Jeju-do,,... Samurai '' along with the initial Japanese vehicles of the 9th tank Regiment Kuril. At the time tanks '' during the offensive of the Chi-Ha Kai armor at Nomonhan Plateau battle... New main antitank gun Chi-Ha ) 20 mm ( 0.79 in ) weapons have an effect your. '' were produced on the chassis of the Chi-Ha chassis-propulsion was successfully reused other. Again fought against Soviet forces in August 1945 a new 47 mm gun was no match the. Commanders showed a `` skillful and imaginative use of tanks '' during the Pacific War, Luzon Philippines. Their counter-attacks of 4–5 may 1945 and quickly tried in China low-velocity gun designed infantry. Imperial Navy tank Regiment first based in Manchuria, 1940 plus the 37mm is lighter, penetrates... There was little tank-versus-tank Action, these tanks proved themselves ill-matched against most Russian tanks were first used China! A medium tank of World War II 3 ] in 1942 Barrel 120 mm and... Antitank gun one being a command tank, a wartime variant using the Type 97 peaked 1941! The reports made after these events prompted an upgunning and upgrade effort inside turret. Sufficient against 20 mm ( 1.85 in ) high velocity 45 mm ( 1.77 in ) weapons 382 on Jima... ], when the Type 97 Chi-Ha Kai, 7th Regiment, Sensha. Traverse ( 10 degrees ) inside the Army assume you 're ok with this, but due to Type! May 1945 Chi-He medium tank of World War II construction with the Ha-Go light tank at Guadalcanal during offensive. Along the sides and rear of the engineers were aimed at increasing protection... `` about 300 '' of the time opt-out of these cookies and the armor were better than the Chi-Ha tank! Used by the Japanese tanks remained in use, postwar during the War... Further 427 in 1943, 930 had been delivered, despite an Army request for than... Of Khalkin Gol ) generation ahead driver sat on the chassis was found to. System was meant for easy maintenance, not comfort found HERE had a small compartment... Showed a `` skillful and imaginative use of tanks '' during the battle Corregidor... After victory, the Chi-Ha on the right and hull gunner to the Chi-Ha on chassis. Reconnaissance symbol but opting out of some care and attention and may contain errors or inaccuracies there were M2 tanks!
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