Type 97 Te-Ke
In service 1939 - 1945
Also known asType 97 Ke-Ke, Type 97 light tank Te-Ke
Japan's last light tank - a two-man diesel scout that ended up fighting American armour it could not hurt.
Built byHino Motors, Tokyo Motor Industry
Development history
The Te-Ke replaced the tankette-like Type 94 with a proper if tiny light tank, its air-cooled diesel well suited to the heat and poor fuel of Asian campaigns. It served in China, Burma, the Philippines and across the Pacific islands, usually in reconnaissance and infantry-support roles. Against Shermans it was defenceless, and many were dug in as static pillboxes in the final island defences.
Notable actions
- Second Sino-Japanese War
- Burma Campaign
- Battle of Luzon