Type 94 armored train
| Type 94 armored train | |
|---|---|
|
|
| General properties | |
| crew | about 100 men |
| length | 8–9 cars |
| width | 3.22 m |
| height | 4.38 m |
| Dimensions | approx. 500 t |
| Armor and armament | |
| Armor | 6–10 mm armor steel |
| Main armament | 2 × 10 cm flak type 14 2 × 7.5 cm flak type 88 |
| Secondary armament | 8 × 13 mm sMG type 92 2 × 7.7 mm MG type 92 |
| agility | |
| drive |
Mikado steam locomotive 1280 hp (941 kW) |
| Top speed | 60 km / h |
| Power / weight | 1.9 kW / t (2.6 HP / t) |
| Range | 150 km |
The Type 94 armored train ( Japanese 九四 式 装甲 列車 , Kyuyanishiki rikko ichou shi shitachi ) was an armored train of the Imperial Japanese Army , which operated from 1934 ( Kōki 2594, hence the type designation) to 1945 during the Japanese occupation of Manchuria and the Second Japanese -Chinese War was used.
history
In the course of the Manchurian Crisis , the Kwantung Army occupied Manchuria in 1931 . The South Manchurian Railway , which was founded in Dalien by Japan after the Russo-Japanese War (1904–1905) , expanded the Manchurian railway network within a very short time to 12,000 kilometers, which was more than half of the Chinese railway network. To monitor and protect the steadily growing rail network, the Kwantung Army tested a number of armored rail vehicles such as the type 91 broad gauge railcar . The expansion of the occupied territories from 1931 required more armored and armed rail vehicles, as the fighting against the Chinese took place largely along the rail network. Armored trains not only played an offensive and defensive role, but were also used for patrol purposes. During the occupation of Manchuria, the Japanese captured some armored trains from the Manchurian Army, but they were not sufficient for their task. In 1933 the Kwantung Army had two ambitious designs drawn up: the Rinji Soko Ressha (German special armored train), which was assigned to the 2nd armored train unit in Manchuria, and the heavily armed Type 94 armored train , which was assigned to the 2nd armored train unit from 1934. Armored train unit was under.
When planning the Type 94 armored train, the experience with the special armored train was already used . The train was built by the Südmanschurische Eisenbahn AG and included an armored locomotive and initially seven armored wagons armed with anti-aircraft guns and automatic cannons. The range of the train was 150 km at a maximum speed of 60 km / h on flat terrain.
Outline of the train
Originally the Type 94 armored train was planned with 7 wagons plus a locomotive. Another wagon was later integrated. All wagons were equipped with brakes, heating systems and devices for attaching hammocks for the crew. The train was structured as follows:
Car 1: reconnaissance car
Car 1 at the head of the train was the reconnaissance car. The converted 50 t coal wagon was armed with two heavy machine guns type 92 in caliber 13.2 mm (3000 rounds), which were mounted in rotatable towers with 110 ° lateral directional range. There was a 300 mm searchlight in the front area. Rails and sleepers were loaded for possible repairs to the railroad.
Car 2: Artillery Car Ko
The 60 t heavy artillery car Ko was armed with a 10 cm Flak Type 14 (only for horizontal fire, 200 rounds) and two 7.7 mm machine guns Type 92 .
Car 3: Otsu artillery car
Equipment such as artillery car Ko as well as toilets and water tank. The 10 cm Flak Type 14 was one floor higher in this car than in the Ko car so that both guns could fire forward at the same time.
Car 4: artillery car Hei
The 60 t artillery vehicle Hei was armed with two 75 mm type 88 flaks (300 rounds).
Car 5: command car
The 60-ton command car was equipped with two heavy type 92 machine guns (3000 rounds) and two 300 mm searchlights. Its crew had observation and altitude detection equipment and periscopes . The heavy radio had a range of 500 km. Furthermore, a radio for shorter range was on board the train as well as telephones for communication within the train.
locomotive
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A modified Mikado steam locomotive served as the locomotive .
Car 6: tender
The tender carried a supply of coal that gave the train a range of around 150 km. The armament consisted of two heavy machine guns type 92 .
Car 7: Electric car
The electricity generation, which was divided into three rooms, was located in the 60 t wagon. Room 1 contained the generator, room 2 the radio room for the heavy radio and room 3 the batteries. The armament consisted of two heavy machine guns type 92 (3000 rounds). Another 300mm searchlight was attached to the end of the train.
literature
- Steven J. Zaloga, Armored Trains (New Vanguard) . Osprey Publishing, Bath 2008, ISBN 978-1-8460-3242-4
Web links
- Armored trains of the Imperial Japanese Army. Daito Asako, accessed August 25, 2017 .
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b Type 94 Armored Train. Akira Takizawa, accessed April 25, 2018 .
- ↑ Zaloga, p. 23
- ^ Army Armored Train PAGE. Akira Sahara, accessed April 25, 2018 .