Type 1 Ho-Ha
| Type 1 Ho-Ha | |
|---|---|
Type 1 Ho-Ha of the Imperial Japanese Army (1941) |
|
| General properties | |
| crew | 3 + 12 men |
| length | 6.1 m |
| width | 2.1 m |
| height | 2.51 m |
| Dimensions | 6.5 t |
| Armor and armament | |
| Armor | Max. 8 mm |
| Main armament | 3 × Type 97 7.7 mm machine gun |
| agility | |
| drive | Diesel engine 99 kW (134 PS) |
| Top speed | 50 km / h |
| Power / weight | approx. 15 kW / t (21 PS / t) |
| Range | 300 km |
The Type 1 Ho-Ha ( Japanese 一 式 半 装 軌 装甲兵 車 ホ ハ Isshiki Hansōki Sōkō Heisha Ho-Ha , dt. "Type 1 half-track armored vehicle") was a Japanese half-track vehicle that was built in 1941 ( Kōki 2601, hence the type designation) was introduced by the Imperial Japanese Army .
history
Since 1937 the armed forces of the Japanese Empire waged the Second Sino-Japanese War . By bridging large distances, the army looked increasingly required his infantry in armored personnel carriers to bring into the combat zone. The vehicles used up to now had not been convincing and so in 1941 there was a demand for an armored vehicle that could both transport a group of soldiers and could also be used as a tractor . Inspired by the German armored personnel carrier Sd.Kfz. 251 Hino Motors presented the Type 1 Ho-Ha in 1941. At the same time, the Type 1 Ho-Ki was developed, which in principle met the same requirements, but was exclusively a tracked vehicle .
Although equipped with three 7.7 mm Type 97 machine guns, the army lost interest in the vehicle due to the lack of offensive power. Production was greatly reduced in 1942 and only resumed in 1944. Due to material shortages in the Japanese Empire, however, there was never any significant production.
technology
Like its German model, the vehicle was not only steered with the non-driven and unbraked front wheels, but also by braking a chain on one side. The 99 kW diesel engine was taken from the 98 So-Da type . The crew of the vehicle consisted of three men. In addition, 12 soldiers could be accommodated, who could take a seat in the rear room on two benches attached to the side and sat opposite each other during the journey. There were doors behind the cab on both sides through which the crew could get in and out. In addition, the Type 1 had two wing doors at the rear. Two sockets for attaching machine guns were attached above the cab. The machine guns installed there, however, had a small lateral directional area and could only cover a small area with machine gun fire. Another machine gun socket was at the stern.
Calls
Although introduced in 1941, it was not until 1944 that the Japanese armored divisions realized the full potential of the Type 1 Ho-Ha. The first Ho-Has were shipped to China , where they remained in service until the end of the war. Further specimens were brought to the Philippines , where they proved themselves and showed good cross-country mobility. Only the low lateral directional range of the machine guns inhibited their effectiveness when fighting moving targets.
The Type 1s last produced in Japan remained in Japan until the end of the war in 1945 and were then used for civil purposes (reconstruction, waste disposal).
See also
literature
- Steven J Zaloga: "Japanese Tanks 1939-45" Osprey Publishing, 2007, ISBN 978-1-84603-091-8 .
- Leland Ness: Guide to Japanese Ground Forces 1937-1945: Volume 2: Weapons of the Imperial Japanese Army & Navy Ground Forces. Helion & Company, 2014, ISBN 978-19099-8275-8 .
Web links
- Type 1 Ho-Ha. tanks-encyclopedia.com, accessed December 8, 2016 .
- Type 1 half-track “Ho-Ha”. Taki's Page, accessed December 8, 2016 .
Individual evidence
- ↑ Type 1 Half-Track “Ho-Ha”. Taki's Page, accessed December 8, 2016 .
- ↑ Zaloga, p. 22.
- ↑ a b c Type 1 Ho-Ha. tanks-encyclopedia.com, accessed December 8, 2016 .
- ↑ a b Ness, p. 286.