"Chi-Ha" Type "97" Model 1937 Medium Tank - Combat
Four medium tanks "Chi-Ha" type 97 from the 3rd Tank Regiment of the Kwantung Army were first used by the Japanese in the summer of 1939 in battles in the area of the r. Khalkhin Gol. According to the results of these hostilities, it was decided to strengthen the armor-piercing effect of the shells of a tank gun. As a result, a short-barreled 57-mm cannon of type "97" was replaced by a long-barreled 47-mm cannon of type "1". The upgraded tanks were called "97" type "Shinhoto Chi-Ha".
The combat use of Chi-Ha, begun in the very first months of the war in the Pacific theater of military operations, until a certain time showed sufficient effectiveness of the solutions applied. However, over time, when the United States entered the war, which already had tanks such as M3 Lee in the army, it became clear that all of Japan’s light and medium tanks simply could not fight them. For reliable defeat of American tanks required accurate hits in certain parts of them. This was the reason for creating a new turret with a gun "Type 1".
"Chi-Ha" type "97" tanks formed the basis of the Japanese armored forces and were actively used in all theaters of war, where the Japanese troops fought. They were used in most operations of the Japanese army and marines during the Second World War. The general design of the Type 97 medium (improved) is satisfactory, but engagements with U.S. tanks have shown that its maximum armor thickness (1 inch to possibly as much as 1.29 inches) will not withstand high-velocity projectiles. Perhaps for this reason, Japanese medium tanks on Luzon — the first formidable armored force to oppose the U.S. advance toward Tokyo — were employed chiefly to stiffen village defensive positions. The tanks—well dug-in under thick, concealing foliage and with adobe revetments — were used as a nucleus around which all other defenses were built. Alternate positions were prepared so that the enemy armor could be shifted around the perimeter as the situation dictated. The number of tanks of all types employed in defense of individual villages varied from nine to 52.
Armored counterattacks were employed only as a last resort, when it appeared inevitable that local defenses would collapse. These limited attacks were launched under cover of darkness as support of infantry banzai charges. The enemy tank crews invariably became confused and were easy prey for U.S. anti-tank weapons.
The Japanese on Luzon only once employed armor in daylight to support an infantry counterattack. The three tanks and two self-propelled 150-mm howitzers committed in this attack were destroyed, and three other tanks then withdrew without entering the fire fight. In many instances, tanks were observed moving in convoy with general-purpose vehicles; however, it was not definitely determined whether this was done to give protection to the column or as a matter of convenience.
In the battles with the Red Army in Manchuria in August 1945, Japanese tanks of the type "97" practically did not show themselves and were captured mainly in the parks. Otherwise, events developed on the islands of the Kuril Ridge. The Chi-Ha and Shinhot Chi-Ha tanks from the 11th Tank Regiment, along with parts of the 91st Infantry Division, were located on the islands of Shumshu and Paramushir. They took part in the battles with the Soviet troops of the 2nd Far Eastern Front, which conducted the Kuril landing operation.
To counter the Soviet landing (101st Infantry Division with a battalion of marines) on the island of Shumshu from 18 to 20 August 1945, the Japanese further transferred tanks from the island of Paramushir. The Shumshu and Paramushir islands were completely cleared from the Japanese on August 23, and all the Kuril Islands - by September 1. In September - November 1945, 350 tanks and "Chi-Ha" and "Shinhoto Chi-Ha" were transferred to the Soviet side of the National Liberation Army of China.
When the Manchurian offensive of the Soviet forces began, the Kwantung Army had several tank brigades and regiments armed mainly with Chi-Ha and Shinhoto Chi-Ha. In total, the grouping was 1215 tanks. In general, their application was unsuccessful, and they were defeated. The same expected Japanese tanks in the Kuril Islands - the remains of "Shinhoto Chi-Ha" can still be seen on the island of Paramushir. After Japan capitulated, Chi-Ha was used in the Third Civil War in China, both sides. They were mainly used to support the infantry. In Japan itself, the Chi-Ha were in service until the 1960s, but were used rather as training machines.
One way or another, none of the modifications of the Type 97 could compete on an equal footing with the equipment of the enemy, the USA or the USSR. Including as a result of this, out of about 2,100 units, only two entire tanks “Chi-Ha” survived the War.
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