Type 97 automatic cannon
| Type 97 automatic cannon | |
|---|---|
|
|
| general information | |
| Military designation: | 九七 式 自動 砲 |
| Manufacturer country: |
 Japan
|
| Production time: | since 1937 |
| Weapon Category: | Anti-tank rifle |
| Furnishing | |
| Overall length: | 2100 mm |
| Weight: (unloaded) | 52.2 kg |
| Barrel length : | 1200 mm |
| Technical specifications | |
| Caliber : | 20 × 125 mm |
| Possible magazine fillings : | 7 cartridges |
| Ammunition supply : | Change magazine |
| Cadence : | 12-21 rounds / min |
| Charging principle: | Gas pressure charger |
| Lists on the subject | |
The Type 97 automatic cannon ( Japanese 九七 式 自動 砲 Kyūnana-shiki jidōhō ) was an anti- tank rifle that was used by the Imperial Japanese Army during the Second World War. The model name refers to the introduction in the year Kōki 2597, i.e. 1937 according to the western calendar.
technology
This weapon marks the upper end of the ballistic anti-tank rifle performance range. In order to achieve the highest possible armor-piercing effect, a very large caliber was chosen. The anti-tank rifle was self-loading and only fired continuous fire, while the official operating instructions at the time stated that the trigger of the weapon should be pulled with every shot. All of this increased the weight, so it took at least three soldiers to carry them in a load bearing capacity. To do this, two stretcher bars were inserted into the weapon and lifted like a stretcher. Armor-piercing projectiles and high-explosive grenades were available for the ammunition, since the weapon was also intended to fight unarmored targets.
Despite the high weight, the gas pressure charging mechanism and a muzzle brake , the recoil was enormous. In order to overcome it, a rear-facing support was attached to the piston, which had to be anchored deep in the ground. The magazine was inserted from above. This made a low stop possible, a position only rose slightly from the ground and was difficult to detect. At a distance of 300 m, steel armor around 30 mm thick could be penetrated. Thus, the projectiles were only effective with light tanks, but no longer with medium-weight models such as the M4 Sherman . Only about 400 pieces were made, which were mainly used against landing vehicles like the LVTs of the American armed forces in the Pacific.
literature
- Military Intelligence Division, War Department (USA): Japanese infantry weapons, Special Series, no. 19. "MODEL 97 (1937) 20-MM ANTI-TANK-RIFLE" on pages 170 to 177, 1943, ISBN 978-0- 8071-2013-2 ( available online ).