Type 96 150 mm howitzer

Type 96 150 mm Howitzer
Type 96 150 mm Howitzer
TypeHowitzer
Place of origin Empire of Japan
Service history
In service1937–1945
Used byImperial Japanese Army
WarsSecond Sino-Japanese War
Soviet-Japanese Border Wars
World War II
Production history
No. built440
Specifications
Mass4,140 kg (9,130 lb)
Barrel length3.523 m (11 ft 7 in)
Shell31.3 kg (69 lb)
Caliber149.1 mm (5.87 in)
Carriagesplit trail
Elevation-5 to +65 degrees
Traverse30°
Rate of fire3–4 rpm
Muzzle velocity540 m/s (1,772 ft/s)
Maximum firing range11,900 m (13,014 yd)
Sightspanoramic

The Type 96 150 mm howitzer (九六式十五糎榴弾砲, Kyūroku-shiki Jyūgo-senchi Ryūdanhō), also known as a "15-cm" gun, was a howitzer used by the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA).

This artillery piece was designed to replace the Type 4 150 mm howitzer in front line combat. Type 96s fired the same ammunition as the Type 4s.

History

Type 96s began to be built in 1937. A total of 440 units were produced. A medium artillery regiment had 24 Type 96s.

Combat record

The Type 96 15 cm howitzer was used in the Second Sino-Japanese War and in World War II. The 96s were among Japan's most used artillery weapons.

One of the Type 96s is preserved at the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo.

References

  1. ↑ Rottman, Gordon L. (2005). Japanese Army in World War II: Conquest of the Pacific 1941-42, p. 50[permanent dead link]; 15-cm = 150-mm
  2. ↑ This field gun type was named "ninety-six" because it was approved in 1936; and 1936 was the 2596th year since Emperor Jimmu, the first Emperor of Japan. The Japanese Imperial year was Kōki 2596 (皇紀2596年).
  3. ↑ Bishop, The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II.
  4. 1 2 US War Dept, "Model 96 150-mm howitzer," Handbook on Japanese Military Forces, p. 228.
  5. ↑ US War Dept, "Artillery," p. 45.
  6. ↑ Hogg, Ian V. (1970). The Guns: 1939/45, p. 53.

Other websites