Type 1 Ho-Ni I
In service 1942 - 1945
Based onType 97 Chi-Ha (derived from)
Japan's first purpose-built self-propelled gun, mounting a 75 mm field gun in an open casemate on the Type 97 Chi-Ha chassis. Intended as mobile artillery but used increasingly as an anti-tank weapon.
Built byHino Motors / Osaka Arsenal
Development history
The Imperial Japanese Army recognised by 1941 that towed guns could not keep pace with mechanised advances, and that the 57 mm short gun of the Chi-Ha was useless against armour. The Type 1 Ho-Ni I answered both problems by fitting the Type 90 75 mm field gun, a licence-derived Schneider design with good muzzle velocity, into a three-sided shield on a Chi-Ha hull. The turret was removed entirely. Numbers were tiny: Japanese industry was committed to aircraft and shipping, and only around two dozen were completed. Surviving vehicles served with the 2nd Armoured Division on Luzon in 1945, where they were used from dug-in positions against American armour rather than as mobile artillery. The open compartment left the crew badly exposed to shellfire and small arms.
Related vehicles
Separate records that derive from this vehicle, grouped by how they relate to it.
Notable actions
- Philippines 1944-1945
- Luzon