Type 1 Ho-Ni I

IJA (1942) - Self-propelled gun - 124 built

The first Japanese SPG

The Ho-Ni was the first Japanese SPG and tank destroyer of the war. Work on such a vehicle started under the influence of German experience, after the IJA's main battle tank, the Type 97 Chi-Ha, first encountered the M4 Sherman. The Head of Staff devised a two-pronged response. Firstly, the Type 97 itself was overhauled and a new, more powerful 45 mm (1.77 in) AT gun was fitted. Secondly, an SPG with a more powerful gun was ordered, based on the Type 97 chassis, because the Type 97 turret was too cramped. The gun was the Type 90 field gun, a powerful piece of field artillery, which had a good muzzle velocity.

Design


The Type 1 Ho-Ni I was basically a turretless Type 97 chassis with some modifications to the hull and a Type 90 gun mounted on the former turret ring. The turret ring was left partially open, to allow access to the ammunition stored just below. The gun was protected by a three-panel shield, which left the crew unprotected from the rear. However, this was compensated by the strength of the 50 mm (1.97 in) armored plates. An additional set of 16 mm (0.63 in) plates were bolted on the hull. The vehicle was stripped of the hull machine-gun, to make room for ammo storage. It could carry 54 rounds. The gun, inside its new mounting, had 10 degrees of traverse and -5 to +25 degrees of elevation. Maximum range in indirect fire was about 12,000 m (7.5 mi).

Active service


Production started in late 1942 and lasted until November 1943, with 124 units delivered. By then, it was superseded by the more powerful Ho-Ni II, featuring a 105 mm (4.13 in) field howitzer. The Ho-Ni I saw service in Luzon, and took part in the battles following the invasion of the Philippines in 1944. However, the US Army and Marine's Shermans were far too numerous for the Ho-Ni to have a real impact during the campaign. The remainder stayed in Honshu and Kyushu, the Japanese home islands, in the prospect of facing the invasion planned by the Allies, Operation Olympic. These were later captured, and never saw combat.

Type 1 Ho-Ni I specifications
Dimensions 5.9 x 2.29 x 2.39 m (19.36x7.51x7.84 ft)
Total weight, battle ready 15.4 short tons
Crew 5 (commander, driver, three gun servants)
Propulsion

Mitsubishi Type 97 diesel, SA 12200VD V12, 170 hp (127 kW)@2000 rpm
Speed 38 km/h (25 mph)
Armor 25-51 mm (0.98-2 in)
Armament 76 mm (3 in) Type 90 gun
Range 200 km (160 miles)
Total production 124
Links: The Ho-Ni on WWII Vehicles

Luzon island, fall 1944
Luzon Island, Philippine campaign, fall 1944.


Kyushu island home defense AT platoon, 1945.

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