75 mm Type 90 Field Gun
Encyclopedia
The was a field gun
used by the Imperial Japanese Army
during the Second Sino-Japanese War
, Soviet-Japanese Border Wars
and World War II
. It was intended to replace the Type 38 75 mm Field Gun
in front line combat units, but due to operational and budgetary constraints, the Type 38 continued to be used.
, the Imperial Japanese Army was largely equipped with Krupp
cannons from Germany
. After the Versailles Treaty, the Japanese switched to the French
Schneider company, and purchased numerous examples for test and evaluation. With an Army rearmament program starting in 1931, a new 75 mm field gun loosely based on the French Schneider et Cie Canon de 85 mle 1927 was introduced, and labeled the "Type 90".
However, few units were built, and the design never achieved its intended purpose of replacing the Type 38 75 mm Field Gun
. The Schneider design was very complex and expensive to build, requiring very tight dimensional tolerances which were beyond the limits of Japanese industry to sustain at the time. In particular, the recoil system required a high amount of complex maintenance, which was difficult to sustain in front line combat service.
. The carriage was of the split trail type. The Type 90 was built in two version: one with wooden wheels suitable for animal (horse) draft, and another with solid rubber tires and a beefed-up suspension
for towing by motor vehicle. The latter weighed 200 kilograms (440.9 lb) more.
The Type 90 75 mm Field Gun was capable of firing High-explosive, armor-piercing
, shrapnel, incendiary, smoke and illumination shells. Its range of 15000 metres (16,404.2 yd) for a weight of 1400 kilograms (3,086.5 lb) compared well with its contemporaries.
, and was rarely deployed to the Pacific theatre of operations
. Its initial use in combat was against the Soviet
Red Army
at the Battle of Nomonhan. When deployed later against Allied forces
, it was often used as an anti-tank gun, as its high speed shell was effective against armored vehicles.It was also used at the Battle of the Philippines
, Battle of Iwo Jima
and Battle of Okinawa
, often deployed together with armored units. The Type 90 continued to be used as field artillery until the surrender of Japan
.
used in the Type 3 Chi-Nu
medium tank
.
Field gun
A field gun is an artillery piece. Originally the term referred to smaller guns that could accompany a field army on the march and when in combat could be moved about the battlefield in response to changing circumstances, as to opposed guns installed in a fort, or to siege cannon or mortars which...
used by the Imperial Japanese Army
Imperial Japanese Army
-Foundation:During the Meiji Restoration, the military forces loyal to the Emperor were samurai drawn primarily from the loyalist feudal domains of Satsuma and Chōshū...
during the Second Sino-Japanese War
Second Sino-Japanese War
The Second Sino-Japanese War was a military conflict fought primarily between the Republic of China and the Empire of Japan. From 1937 to 1941, China fought Japan with some economic help from Germany , the Soviet Union and the United States...
, Soviet-Japanese Border Wars
Soviet-Japanese Border Wars
The Soviet–Japanese Border Wars were a series of border conflicts between the Soviet Union and Japan between 1932 and 1939.Before Japanese occupation of Manchukuo, the Soviet Union had conflict with China on the border of Manchuria...
and World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. It was intended to replace the Type 38 75 mm Field Gun
Type 38 75 mm Field Gun
The was a 1905 German design which was purchased by the Empire of Japan as the standard field gun of the Imperial Japanese Army at the end of the Russo-Japanese War.-History and development:...
in front line combat units, but due to operational and budgetary constraints, the Type 38 continued to be used.
History and development
Prior to World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, the Imperial Japanese Army was largely equipped with Krupp
Krupp
The Krupp family , a prominent 400-year-old German dynasty from Essen, have become famous for their steel production and for their manufacture of ammunition and armaments. The family business, known as Friedrich Krupp AG Hoesch-Krupp, was the largest company in Europe at the beginning of the 20th...
cannons from Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. After the Versailles Treaty, the Japanese switched to the French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
Schneider company, and purchased numerous examples for test and evaluation. With an Army rearmament program starting in 1931, a new 75 mm field gun loosely based on the French Schneider et Cie Canon de 85 mle 1927 was introduced, and labeled the "Type 90".
However, few units were built, and the design never achieved its intended purpose of replacing the Type 38 75 mm Field Gun
Type 38 75 mm Field Gun
The was a 1905 German design which was purchased by the Empire of Japan as the standard field gun of the Imperial Japanese Army at the end of the Russo-Japanese War.-History and development:...
. The Schneider design was very complex and expensive to build, requiring very tight dimensional tolerances which were beyond the limits of Japanese industry to sustain at the time. In particular, the recoil system required a high amount of complex maintenance, which was difficult to sustain in front line combat service.
Design
The Type 90 75 mm Field Gun was unique among Japanese artillery pieces in that it had a muzzle brakeMuzzle brake
Muzzle brakes and recoil compensators are devices that are fitted to the muzzle of a firearm or cannon to redirect propellant gases with the effect of countering both recoil of the gun and unwanted rising of the barrel during rapid fire...
. The carriage was of the split trail type. The Type 90 was built in two version: one with wooden wheels suitable for animal (horse) draft, and another with solid rubber tires and a beefed-up suspension
Suspension (vehicle)
Suspension is the term given to the system of springs, shock absorbers and linkages that connects a vehicle to its wheels. Suspension systems serve a dual purpose — contributing to the car's roadholding/handling and braking for good active safety and driving pleasure, and keeping vehicle occupants...
for towing by motor vehicle. The latter weighed 200 kilograms (440.9 lb) more.
The Type 90 75 mm Field Gun was capable of firing High-explosive, armor-piercing
Armor-piercing shot and shell
An armor-piercing shell is a type of ammunition designed to penetrate armor. From the 1860s to 1950s, a major application of armor-piercing projectiles was to defeat the thick armor carried on many warships. From the 1920s onwards, armor-piercing weapons were required for anti-tank missions...
, shrapnel, incendiary, smoke and illumination shells. Its range of 15000 metres (16,404.2 yd) for a weight of 1400 kilograms (3,086.5 lb) compared well with its contemporaries.
Combat record
The Type 90 75 mm Field Gun was issued primarily to units based in ManchukuoManchukuo
Manchukuo or Manshū-koku was a puppet state in Manchuria and eastern Inner Mongolia, governed under a form of constitutional monarchy. The region was the historical homeland of the Manchus, who founded the Qing Empire in China...
, and was rarely deployed to the Pacific theatre of operations
Pacific War
The Pacific War, also sometimes called the Asia-Pacific War refers broadly to the parts of World War II that took place in the Pacific Ocean, its islands, and in East Asia, then called the Far East...
. Its initial use in combat was against the Soviet
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
Red Army
Red Army
The Workers' and Peasants' Red Army started out as the Soviet Union's revolutionary communist combat groups during the Russian Civil War of 1918-1922. It grew into the national army of the Soviet Union. By the 1930s the Red Army was among the largest armies in history.The "Red Army" name refers to...
at the Battle of Nomonhan. When deployed later against Allied forces
Allies of World War II
The Allies of World War II were the countries that opposed the Axis powers during the Second World War . Former Axis states contributing to the Allied victory are not considered Allied states...
, it was often used as an anti-tank gun, as its high speed shell was effective against armored vehicles.It was also used at the Battle of the Philippines
Battle of the Philippines
Battle of the Philippines may refer to several wars, military campaigns, and major battles which have been fought in the Philippine Islands, including:...
, Battle of Iwo Jima
Battle of Iwo Jima
The Battle of Iwo Jima , or Operation Detachment, was a major battle in which the United States fought for and captured the island of Iwo Jima from the Empire of Japan. The U.S...
and Battle of Okinawa
Battle of Okinawa
The Battle of Okinawa, codenamed Operation Iceberg, was fought on the Ryukyu Islands of Okinawa and was the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific War of World War II. The 82-day-long battle lasted from early April until mid-June 1945...
, often deployed together with armored units. The Type 90 continued to be used as field artillery until the surrender of Japan
Surrender of Japan
The surrender of Japan in 1945 brought hostilities of World War II to a close. By the end of July 1945, the Imperial Japanese Navy was incapable of conducting operations and an Allied invasion of Japan was imminent...
.
Variants
The Type 90 formed the basis for the Type 3 75 mm Tank GunType 3 75 mm Tank Gun
The Type 3 75 mm Tank Gun was used as the main armament of the Imperial Japanese Army Type 3 Chi-Nu medium tank. It was one of the largest guns ever to be fitted on a World War II Japanese tank.-Specs & Design:...
used in the Type 3 Chi-Nu
Type 3 Chi-Nu
The was another improvement over the Type 97 Chi-Ha line of medium tanks of the Imperial Japanese Army in World War II. The Type 3 Chi-Nu mounted one Type 3 75 mm Tank Gun, one of the largest guns ever to be fitted on a World War II Japanese tank....
medium tank
Tank
A tank is a tracked, armoured fighting vehicle designed for front-line combat which combines operational mobility, tactical offensive, and defensive capabilities...
.