Type 97 Chi-Ha - Self-Propelled Gun Variants
Japan developed a variety of self-propelled guns mounted on the hull of the ubiquitous Type 97 Chi-Ha tank. The medium class Type 97 Chi-Ha can be considered as the father of all Japanese tank development projects. Chi-Ha was the main battle tank of the IJA’s (Imperial Japanese Army) early period and there were many vehicles either planned or produced based on its platform.
Appearance of such a weapon in combat had been expected since October 1941 when the British reported the existence of a Japanese self-propelled gun, believed to have been an experimental model. It is supposed to be a weapon of about 100-mm caliber mounted in the chassis of a medium tank. The piece is said to be long, and to have no shield. The gun may be the 105-mm howitzer, Model "91" (1931), of which the following is known: muzzle velocity 1,790 f/s; maximum range, either 11,500 or 14,200 yards; maximum elevation and traverse (both), 45 degrees. The ammunition is a 35-pound HE shell.
Type 97 Short Barrel Gun Tank 120-mm
One of the great enigmas of Japanese tank development, this was produced by the IJN, apparently, to provide close artillery support for Marine (SNLF) units, but its actual production numbers are somewhat of a mystery, as is any special designation (if indeed such a designation exists). It was nicknamed the "Marine Type" by Allied forces as it was frequently seen operating in support of SNLF attacks.
The Type 97 Marine Type was equipped with a 120mm short barrelled howitzer. The Short Barrel 120 mm Gun Tank was one variant produced late in the war for the Imperial Japanese Navy. They wanted a gun tank similar to the Type 2 Ho-I for close support, but with greater fire-power. The standard 47 mm main tank gun was replaced with a short barrel naval 12 cm (120 mm) "anti-submarine" gun with a muzzle brake added. Otherwise, it was equipped as per standard for the Type 97 Chi-Ha. The turret was apparently a version of the Shinhoto turret, specially modified for use by the Navy.
The massive weapon required multiple recoil cylinders and could only just fit inside the Chi-Ha's small turret. Because of this an extension was built onto the back of the turret to hold the ammunition. There also wasn't any space inside the tank for the crew to loading the gun, so instead the loader had to stand on top of the tank and push the ammunition threw the back of the turret.
The Marine Type Saw action against American and Commonwealth forces. Only "about a dozen" or "fourteen" were produced for the Japanese Special Naval Landing Forces who deployed them to several bases around Japan to defend against the expected American invasion.
Type 97 Long Barrel Gun Tank 120-mm / 12cm Type 10 naval cannon / Naval 12 cm SPG
When American occupation forces entered Tateyama gunnery school in Yokosuka they discovered a Type 97 Chi-Ha tank that had been modified by removing the turret and fitted it with a 120mm Type 10 naval cannon. The Type 10 120 mm main gun was mounted backwards on a Type 97 Chi-Ha chassis. The gun was not housed in a turret like the Short Barrel 120 mm version and did not have a casemate. Only a single vehicle was found and it is unclear if it was a makeshift weapon built by the gunnery school or if it was a prototype there for testing. Due to the weapons extreme weight and powerful recoil it is dubious that the Chi-Ha's light riveted hull could survive the stress of firing the weapon for long. However it would have been be a great threat to any Allied armor. The fate of the one completed prototype at the end of the war, is unknown.
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