Japanese tanks of World War II: review, photo. Best Japanese Tank

Japan was one of the leading forces during the Second World War. The scale of the strategic plans of its leadership was to be confirmed by the high quality of the equipment. Therefore, in the 1930s, the Japanese created many models of tanks, which for several years without a break fought on the Pacific front of the Second World War.

Purchase of Western models

The idea of creating their own tanks appeared in Japan after the First World War. This conflict showed the promise of this modern weapon. Since the Japanese did not have their own industry necessary for the production of tanks, they began to get acquainted with the developments of Europeans.

For Tokyo, this was a familiar method of modernization. The country of the rising sun spent several centuries in total isolation and only in the second half of the XIX century began to develop intensively. From scratch, new branches of the economy and industry appeared. Therefore, the task of conducting a similar experiment with tanks was not so fantastic.

The first in 1925 were purchased French Renault FT-18, which at that time were considered the best machines of its kind. This model was adopted by the Japanese into service. Very soon the engineers and designers of this country, having accumulated Western experience, prepared several of their pilot projects.

"Chi-I"

The first Japanese tank was assembled in Osaka in 1927. The car was called "Chi-I". It was an experimental model, which did not wait for serial production. However, it was she who became the "first lump", which turned out to be a starting point for Japanese experts for further technical research.

The model had a gun, two machine guns, and its mass was 18 tons. Its constructive feature consisted of several towers on which guns were mounted. It was a bold and controversial experiment. The first Japanese tank was also equipped with a machine gun designed to protect the machine from the rear. Because of this feature, it was installed behind the engine compartment. Tests showed that the multi-tower design was unsuccessful from the point of view of combat effectiveness. Later in Osaka decided to abandon the implementation of such a system. Tank Japanese "Chi-I" and remained a historical model, never visited a real war. But some of its features inherited cars later used in the fields of World War II.

"Type 94"

Most Japanese tanks of the Second World War were developed in the 30s. The first model in this series is Tokusyu Kaninxia (abbreviated TC, or "Type 94"). This tank was small in size and weight (only 3.5 tons). It was used not only for combat, but also for auxiliary purposes. Therefore in Europe "Type 94" was considered a wedge.

As an auxiliary vehicle, the TC was used to transport cargo and help convoys. So on the idea of the designers was the original purpose of the machine. However, over time, the project evolved into a full-fledged combat model. Almost all the subsequent Japanese tanks of the Second World War inherited from the "Type 94" not only the design, but also the layout. In total, more than 800 units of this generation were produced. "Type 94" was mainly used during the invasion of China, which began in 1937.

The postwar fate of Tokusyu Kenginxia is curious. Part of the park of these models was captured by the allies who defeated the Japanese after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Tanks were transferred to the Chinese - the People's Liberation Army of the Communists and the Kuomintang troops. These sides were hostile to each other. Therefore, "Type 94" for several years was tested in the fields of the Chinese Civil War, after which the PRC was formed.

"Type 97"

In 1937, "Type 94" was considered obsolete. Further researches of engineers led to the appearance of a new machine - a direct descendant of Tokusu Kaninxia. The model was named "Type 97" or abbreviated "Te-Ke". This Japanese tank was used during the fighting in China, Malaya and Burma until the end of the Second World War. In fact, it was a deep modification of "Type 94".

The crew of the new car consisted of two people. The engine was located behind, and transmission - in front. An important innovation in comparison with the predecessor was the unification of the combat and management department. The machine received a 37-millimeter cannon, inherited from the TC.

New Japanese tanks in the field were first tested in battles on the Khalkhin-Gol River. Since they did not participate in the first attacks on Soviet positions, most of Te-Ke survived. Almost all the operating combat units of this type were transferred to the Pacific theater of military operations of the Second World War. These small tanks were used especially effectively to reconnoiter enemy positions. They were also used as machines that organize communication between different parts of the front. Small size and weight made the "Type 97" an indispensable weapon for the support of infantry.

"Chi-Ha"

It is interesting that almost all Japanese tanks of World War II were developed by employees of Mitsubishi. Today, this brand is known primarily in the automobile industry. However, in the 30's and 40's, the company's factories regularly produced reliable machines for the army. In 1938, Mitsubishi began production of Chi-Ha, one of the main Japanese medium tanks. In comparison with its predecessors, the model received more powerful guns (including 47mm cannons). In addition, it was distinguished by an improved tip.

"Chi-Ha" was used in combat from the very first days after its appearance on the assembly line. At the initial stage of the war with China, they remained an effective tool in the hands of Japanese tankmen. However, after the United States was involved in the conflict, Chi-Kha had a serious military competitor. They were tanks like M3 Lee. They easily coped with all Japanese cars of the lung and middle segment. In many respects because of this from more than two thousand units of "Chi-Ha" as museum exhibits today there are only a dozen representatives of this model.

"Ha-Guo"

If we compare all the Japanese tanks of the Second World War, then we can distinguish the two most basic and common models. This is already described above, "Chi-Ha" and "Ha-Go". This tank was serially produced in 1936-1943. In total, more than 2300 units of this model were produced. Although it is difficult to single out the best Japanese tank, it is HaGu who has the most rights to this title.

His first sketches appeared in the early 30's. Then the Japanese command wanted to get a car that could be an effective auxiliary tool for cavalry attacks. That is why "Ha-Guo" was distinguished by such important qualities as high mobility and mobility.

"Ka-Mi"

An important feature of "Ha-Guo" was that this tank became the basis for numerous modifications. All of them were experimental and therefore not widely used. However, this does not mean that there were no competitive models among them.

High-quality, for example, was "Ka-Mi." It was unique in that it remained the only mass-produced floating Japanese tank of the Second World War. The development of this modification of "Ha-Guo" began in 1941. Then the Japanese command began to prepare a campaign for an offensive to the south, where there were many small islands and archipelagos. In this connection, there was a need for landing of sea assault. Japanese heavy tanks in this task could not help. Therefore, in Mitsubishi started a fundamentally new model, based on the most common tank of the Land of the Rising Sun, "Ha-Go". As a result, 182 units of "Ka-Mi" were produced.

Using floating tanks

The running gear of the previous tank was improved so that the car could be effectively used on water. For this, in particular, the case was significantly changed. Because of its originality, each "Ka-Mi" was going slowly and for a long time. For this reason, the first major operation using floating tanks occurred only in 1944. The Japanese landed on Saipan, the largest of the Mariana Islands. By the end of the war, when the imperial army did not advance, but, on the contrary, only retreated, its landing operations ceased as well. Therefore, the "Ka-Mi" began to be used as a conventional ground-based tank. This was facilitated by the fact that in its design and running characteristics it was universal.

In 1944 a photo of Japanese tanks flying along the coast of the Marshall Islands flew all over the world. By that time the empire was already close to defeat, and even the emergence of fundamentally new technology could not help it. Nevertheless, the "Ka-Mi" themselves made a great impression on the opponents. The tank's body was spacious. It accommodated five people - a driver, a mechanic, a gunner, charging and a commander. Externally, "Ka-Mi" immediately caught the eye because of its two-seater tower.

"Chi-He"

"Chi-He" appeared as a result of work on the errors associated with the characteristics of Chi-Ha. In 1940, Japanese designers and engineers decided to catch up with the western competitors by the simplest way of copying foreign technologies and developments. Thus, all the initiative and originality of the Eastern specialists were put aside.

The result of this maneuver was not long in coming - "Chi-He" more than all of its Japanese "relatives" and externally and internally began to resemble the European counterparts of that time. But the project was implemented too late. In the years 1943-1944. Was released only 170 "Chi-He."

"Chi-Nu"

The continuation of the ideas embodied in the "Chi-He" became "Chi-Nu". It differed from its predecessor only by improved weapons. The design and layout of the case remained the same.

The series was not numerous. At the final stage of the Second World War in 1943-1945, Was released only about a hundred "Chi-Well." According to the idea of the Japanese command, these tanks were to become an important force of the country's defense during the landing of American troops. Because of the atomic bombings and the imminent surrender of the state leadership of this foreign attack, it did not happen.

"About-I"

What was the difference between Japanese tanks? The survey shows that among them there were no heavy-weight models according to the western classification. The Japanese command preferred light and medium-sized vehicles, which were easier and more efficient to use in conjunction with the infantry. However, this did not mean that there were no projects of a fundamentally different type in this country.

One of those was the idea of a super-heavy tank, which received the rough name "O-I". This multi-tower monster was supposed to contain a crew of 11 people. The model was designed as an important weapon for preparing attacks on the USSR and China. Work on the "O-I" began in 1936 and was somehow orchestrated until the defeat in the Second World War. The project then closed, then resumed. Today there is no reliable data that at least one prototype of this model was produced. "OI" was left on paper, like the idea of Japan about its regional domination, which led to a disastrous alliance with Hitler's Germany.