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Type 97 Shinhoto Chi-Ha
Type 97 Shinhoto Chi-Ha
General Historical Information
Place of origin Japan
Manufacturer Mitsubishi

Hitachi
Nihon
Sagami

Category Medium Tank
Debut in FHSW Debut in Battlefield 1942
Speed 38 km/h
Main armament 47mm Type 1 (100 rounds)
General Ingame Information
Used by Japan
Seat 2 Commander
Seat 3 7.7mm Type 97 mg (20 rounds)
Seat 4 Passenger Seat
Seat 5 Passenger Seat
Historical Picture
Type 97 Shinhoto Chi-Hareal


The Type 97 ShinhoTo Chi-Ha was a Japanese medium tank used in World War II that was an upgrade to the original Type 97 Chi-Ha. This design was probably the best tank Japan produced in any large quantity up to 1945.

Development[]

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). In order to improve the anti-tank capability of the Type 97 Chi-Ha, a new turret armed with a high-velocity 47mm gun was combined with the Chi-Ha's hull. This is where the word "ShinHoTo", meaning "New Turret", comes from.

History[]

When the Type 97 entered service, properly equipped and supported mechanized infantry units were realized. The Type 97 ShinHoTo Chi-Ha first saw action at Corregidor Island of the Philippines in 1942. The skill with which Japanese commanders maneuvered their mechanized infantry divisions was then best seen in Malaya, where the lighter weight of Japanese medium tanks allowed for a rapid ground advance so heavily supported by armor that British defenders never had a chance to establish effective defense lines. The Type 97 ShinHoTo Chi-Ha served against allied forces throughout the Pacific and East Asia as well as the Soviets during the July-August 1945 conflict in Manchuria. While vulnerable to most opposing Allied tanks (M2/M3 Light, M4 Medium, and T-34), the 47mm high-velocity gun did give the ShinHoTo Type 97 a fighting chance against them.



Type 97 Shinhoto Chi-Ha Pillbox[]

Type 97 Shinhoto Chi-Ha
File:Type 97 Shinhoto Chi-Ha Pillbox.jpg
General Historical Information
Place of origin Japan
Manufacturer Mitsubishi

Hitachi
Nihon
Sagami

Category Medium Tank
Speed 0 km/h
Main armament 47mm Type 1
General Ingame Information
Used by Japan
Seat 2 Commander
Seat 3 7.7mm Type 97 mg (20 rounds)
Historical Picture
Type 97 Shinhoto Chi-Ha Pillboxr

Japan used a lot of their broken tanks as pillbox. When the tank can not drive, but the turret and gun is still workable, the Japanese dig the tanks into the ground for increased protection against enemy fire so that it can hold positions as best it can.

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