Type 5 Na-To
Encyclopedia
The was the penultimate tank destroyer
developed by the Imperial Japanese Army
in the closing stages of World War II
.
, Japanese field commanders realized that nothing in the inventory of the Japanese army would be able to withstand the increasingly advanced tanks and armored vehicles fielded by the Allies
, and that a more powerful version of the Type 3 Ho-Ni III
was necessary. Development was rushed through on a new design, which was completed in 1945. The Japanese army immediately issued an order for 200 units to be completed in 1945. However, by that time production was impossible due to material shortages, and by the bombing of Japan in World War II
, and testing was not yet completed by the end of the war.
as its main anti-tank armament. Secondary armament was the same gun as was used on the Type 4 Chi-To
tank – a Type 4 75 mm tank gun, was based on the Type 88 75 mm AA Gun
, only two units were completed by the surrender of Japan
. Neither was used in combat.
Tank destroyer
A tank destroyer is a type of armored fighting vehicle armed with a gun or missile launcher, and is designed specifically to engage enemy armored vehicles...
developed 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...
in the closing stages of 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...
.
History and development
Towards the end of the Pacific WarPacific 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...
, Japanese field commanders realized that nothing in the inventory of the Japanese army would be able to withstand the increasingly advanced tanks and armored vehicles fielded by the Allies
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...
, and that a more powerful version of the Type 3 Ho-Ni III
Type 3 Ho-Ni III
The gun tank was a tank destroyer and self-propelled artillery of Imperial Japanese Army in World War II. The Type 3 No-Ni II superseded the Type 1 Ho-Ni I in production, and was much safer for the crew due to its having a completely enclosed superstructure....
was necessary. Development was rushed through on a new design, which was completed in 1945. The Japanese army immediately issued an order for 200 units to be completed in 1945. However, by that time production was impossible due to material shortages, and by the bombing of Japan in World War II
Strategic bombing during World War II
Strategic bombing during World War II is a term which refers to all aerial bombardment of a strategic nature between 1939 and 1945 involving any nations engaged in World War II...
, and testing was not yet completed by the end of the war.
Design
The Type 5 Na-To made use of the chassis of the Type 4 Chi-So medium tracked carrier, combined with a Type 4 75 mm AA GunType 4 75 mm AA Gun
The was an anti-aircraft gun developed by the Imperial Japanese Army, which went into production in 1943. Due to the lack of raw materials available and the great damage by air raids to its industrial infrastructure, only 70 units were made...
as its main anti-tank armament. Secondary armament was the same gun as was used on the Type 4 Chi-To
Type 4 Chi-To
The was one of several new medium tanks developed by the Imperial Japanese Army towards the end of World War II. The Type 4 Chi-To was by far the most advanced Japanese wartime tank to reach the production phase...
tank – a Type 4 75 mm tank gun, was based on the Type 88 75 mm AA Gun
Type 88 75 mm AA Gun
The was an anti-aircraft gun used by the Imperial Japanese Army during the Second Sino-Japanese War and World War II. It replaced the earlier Type 11 75 mm AA Gun in front line combat service, and at the time was equal in performances to any of its contemporaries in western armies and was...
Combat record
Although the Type 5 Na-To tank destroyer was intended to become part of the defenses of the Japanese home islands against the projected Allied InvasionOperation Downfall
Operation Downfall was the Allied plan for the invasion of Japan near the end of World War II. The operation was cancelled when Japan surrendered after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the Soviet Union's declaration of war against Japan. The operation had two parts: Operation...
, only two units were completed by 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...
. Neither was used in combat.