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Type 1 Ho-Ni II 105-mm

At the beginning of the 1940s the the Imperial Japanese Army studied solutions to make easier the use of the divisional artillery, at least those of small and medium caliber. Studying the vehicles conceived by the German or Italian army, they decided to mount cannons and howitzers on the hull of tanks. The medium Type 97 Chi-Ha armored vehicle was chosen, a design highly appreciated and rather widespread, to which some modifications were made: the turret was removed together with the front part of the superstructure, replaced by a casemate open on the sky and on the back that housed the artillery piece.

The next Japanese-made self-propelled gun was the "Ho-Ni II", [sometimes incorrectly called "Type 2"]. On the chassis with a wheelhouse, fully taken from the "Type 1" was installed 105-mm howitzer "Type 99". This self-propelled gun, primarily intended for firing from closed positions. However, sometimes, in view of the situation, it was necessary to shoot and direct fire. Power guns enough to destroy any American tanks at a distance of about a kilometer.

The Type 1 Ho-Ni II was visually almost identical to the first model, and differed only in its armament: it was in fact equipped with a 105 mm Type 91 howitzer, housed in the casemate bolted to the front of the hull of a Type 97 Chi-Ha. The elevation performed manually covered an arc that ranged from + 20 ° to -5 ° while the tilt, always manual, was equal to 20 ° when the vehicle was stopped; the muzzle protruded over the edge of the hull for 38 centimeters. There was no machine gun for close defense as the Type 1 should not have been in the front line.

Fortunately for Americans, in 1943-45, only 54 such artillery installations were built. Eight more converted from serial tanks "Chi-Ha." Due to the small number of self-propelled guns "Ho-Ni II" could not have a significant impact on the course of the war.