Type 95 75 mm Field Gun
Encyclopedia
The was a field gun
used by the Imperial Japanese Army
during World War II
. It was intended to replace the Type 38 75 mm Field Gun
and the Type 41 75 mm Cavalry Gun
in front line combat units, but due to operational and budgetary constraints, only a small number were produced, and the Type 38 and Type 41 continued to be used.
, the Imperial Japanese Army was largely equipped with Krupp
cannons from Germany
. After the Versailles Treaty, the Japanese Army switched to the French
Schneider company, and developed the Type 90 75 mm Field Gun loosely based on the Schneider et Cie Canon de 85 mle 1927. However, 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. Maintenance was also difficult to sustain in front line combat service. The Army Technical Bureau, following combat experience gained in the Invasion of Manchuria and the Soviet-Japanese Border Wars
reverted back to a simpler and more rugged design for the Type 95 field gun, which entered production in 1935. However, only a total of 261 units were produced, and the Type 38 75 mm Field Gun
and the Type 41 75 mm Cavalry Gun
continued to be used by front line combat units until the surrender of Japan
.
for towing by motor vehicle.
military intelligence
and with Japanese troops. The Type 95 was inferior in technology and performance to its predecessor,with less range and lower muzzle velocity. Although cheaper to build and to maintain, and less in weight, it was not well received by field commanders. It was primarily assigned to units in China.
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 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:...
and the Type 41 75 mm Cavalry Gun
Type 41 75 mm Cavalry Gun
The Type 41 75 mm Cavalry Gun was a Japanese field gun first accepted into service in 1908. It was slightly lightened version of the Type 38 75 mm Field Gun that was based on a 1905 Krupp design. It was the primary weapon of artillery units attached to cavalry formations...
in front line combat units, but due to operational and budgetary constraints, only a small number were produced, and the Type 38 and Type 41 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 Army 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 developed the Type 90 75 mm Field Gun loosely based on the Schneider et Cie Canon de 85 mle 1927. However, 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. Maintenance was also difficult to sustain in front line combat service. The Army Technical Bureau, following combat experience gained in the Invasion of Manchuria and the 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...
reverted back to a simpler and more rugged design for the Type 95 field gun, which entered production in 1935. However, only a total of 261 units were produced, and 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:...
and the Type 41 75 mm Cavalry Gun
Type 41 75 mm Cavalry Gun
The Type 41 75 mm Cavalry Gun was a Japanese field gun first accepted into service in 1908. It was slightly lightened version of the Type 38 75 mm Field Gun that was based on a 1905 Krupp design. It was the primary weapon of artillery units attached to cavalry formations...
continued to be used by front line combat units 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...
.
Design
Although occasionally mentioned as a copy of the French Schneider et Cie Canon de 75 Mle 1933, this connection is dubious. The Type 95 essentially utilized the Model 38 (improved) weapon with sliding-wedge type breechblock and hydropneumatic recoil mechanism on the split trail carriage used on the Type 90. This hybrid design addressed the issue of the heavy weight of the Type 90, which had created problems with field commanders, as well as the need for a simpler, more rugged design that could be transported by a team of six horses. As with the Type 90, the Type 95 was built in two versions: one with wooden wheels suitable for animal draft, and another with solid rubber tires and a beefed-up suspensionSuspension (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.
Combat record
The appearance of the Type 95 75 mm field gun caused considerable confusion with both AlliedAllies 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...
military intelligence
Military intelligence
Military intelligence is a military discipline that exploits a number of information collection and analysis approaches to provide guidance and direction to commanders in support of their decisions....
and with Japanese troops. The Type 95 was inferior in technology and performance to its predecessor,with less range and lower muzzle velocity. Although cheaper to build and to maintain, and less in weight, it was not well received by field commanders. It was primarily assigned to units in China.