List of Japanese military equipment of World War II

Last updated

The following is a list of Japanese military equipment of World War II which includes artillery, vehicles and vessels, and other support equipment of both the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA), and Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) from operations conducted from start of Second Sino-Japanese War in 1937 to the end of World War II in 1945. [1]

Contents

The Empire of Japan forces conducted operations over a variety of geographical areas and climates from the frozen North of China bordering Russia during the Battle of Khalkin Gol (Nomonhan) to the tropical jungles of Indonesia. Japanese military equipment was researched and developed along two separate procurement processes, one for the IJA and one for the IJN. Until 1943, the IJN usually received a greater budget allocation, which allowed for the enormous Yamato-class battleships, advanced aircraft such as the Mitsubishi A6M "Zero" series, and the world's largest submarines. In addition, a higher priority of steel and raw materials was allocated to the IJN for warship construction and airplane construction. It changed to a degree in 1944/45, when the Japanese home islands became increasingly under direct threat, but it was too late. Therefore, during the prior years the Imperial Japanese Army suffered by having a lower budget allocation and being given a lower priority as to raw materials, which eventually affected its use of equipment and tactics in engagements during World War II.

A majority of the materials used were cotton, wool, and silk for the fabrics, wood for weapon stocks, leather for ammunition pouches, belts, etc. But by 1943 material shortages caused much of the leather to be switched to cotton straps as a substitute.

Swords and bayonets

ModelTypeRoleBlade length (cm)From (year)Notes
Guntō Ceremonial sword Ceremonial purpose/Close combat variable1875Collective term for military swords
Type 30 bayonet Combat knife/bayonet Close combat 401897Fitted on rifles from Type 30 to Type 99
Type 4 bayonet Combat knife/bayonet Close combat  ?1911Integrated with Type 44 Cavalry Carbine
Type 2 bayonet Combat knife/bayonet Close combat 19.51942Fitted on Type 2 TERA Rifle and Type 100 SMG
Pole bayonet Combat knife/bayonet Close combat 38.61945Last-ditch weapon

Small arms

Pistols and Revolvers (manual and semi-automatic)

General sources: [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]
ImageNameTypeRole/sActionOriginBase model/sManufacturer/sCartridge/sEffective firing range (m)From (year)Estimated wartime quantityUnloaded wt (kg)Notes
Type 26 Revolver.jpg Type 26 revolver [9] Revolver Sidearm Double-action Flag of Japan.svg Empire of Japan Koishikawa Arsenal 9×22mmR Type 26 [9] 1001893 [9] 59,900~ [9] 0.880 [9]
Nambu Type 94 pistol in Tula State Arms Museum - 2016 01.jpg Type 94 8mm Nambu pistol [10] Pistol Sidearm [11] Recoil operated, locked breech Flag of Japan.svg Empire of Japan Nambu 8x22mm Nambu [12] 50–100 [11] 1935 [12] 71,000~ [12] 0.765 [12]
Type A Model 1902 Grandpa Nambu.jpg Type A 8 mm Nambu pistol [13] Pistol Sidearm Recoil operated, locked breech Flag of Japan.svg Empire of Japan Type 94 8mm Nambu pistol Nambu 8×22mm Nambu 501903 [13] 10,300~0.900
Nambu pistol-IMG 6531-white.jpg Type 14 8 mm Nambu pistol [14] Pistol Sidearm [15] Recoil operated Flag of Japan.svg Empire of Japan Type A 8 mm Nambu pistol Nambu 8×22mm Nambu 50 [15] 1925 [14] 400,000~ [16] 0.900Reduced-cost version of Type A
- Nambu Type 19 "North China" pistol [17] Pistol Sidearm Short recoil, locked breech Flag of Japan.svg Empire of Japan Type 14 8 mm Nambu pistol Nambu 8×22mm Nambu 1944 [18] 100~1.106Reliability improvements of Type 14, occupied Chinese production
- Type B 7 mm Nambu pistol [13] Pistol Sidearm Short recoil, locked breech Flag of Japan.svg Empire of Japan Type A 8 mm Nambu pistol Nambu 7×20mm Nambu 1909 [13] 6,000~ [19] 0.6503/4 size of Type A
- Hino–Komuro pistol [20] Pistol Sidearm Blow-forward Flag of Japan.svg Empire of Japan Komuro 8×22mm Nambu
.25 ACP
.32 ACP
19081,200~ ?
SugiuraPistol.jpg Sugiura pistol [21] Pistol Sidearm Blow-back Flag of Japan.svg Empire of Japan Sugiura 8×22mm Nambu
.25 ACP
.32 ACP
19456,000~ ?Occupied Chinese production
- Inagaki pistol [22] Pistol Sidearm Blow-back Flag of Japan.svg Empire of Japan Koishikawa Arsenal 8×22mm Nambu
.32 ACP [23]
194150~ ?
Japanese WWII Hamada Type 2 pistol right side 41.jpg Hamada Type pistol [24] Pistol Sidearm Recoil operated, locked breech Flag of Japan.svg Empire of Japan FN Model 1910 Nippon Firearms 8×22mm Nambu
.32 ACP
19415,000~0.650
Revolver, Smith & Wesson No 3, New Model "Turkish" - Livrustkammaren - 78572.tif Smith & Wesson Model 3 Revolver Sidearm Single-action Flag of the United States.svg United States of America Smith & Wesson .44 Russian
.44 S&W American
.38 S&W
.44 Henry
.44-40 Winchester
.45 S&W
.32 S&W
1870 ?1.300
Hammerless380.jpg Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless Pistol Sidearm Single-action blow-back Flag of the United States.svg United States of America Colt Patent Firearms .32 ACP
.380 ACP
1903 ?0.680

Automatic pistols and submachine guns

NameTypeRole/sActionOriginBase model/sManufacturer/sCartridge/sEffective firing range (m)Cyclic rate of fire (round/min)From (year)Estimated wartime quantityUnloaded mass (kg)Notes
Type 100 SMG Submachine gun Close-quarters Blow-back Flag of Japan.svg Empire of Japan Nambu 8×22mm Nambu 150450–800193910,000~3.70
Model 1 submachine gun Submachine gun Close-quarters Blow-back Flag of Japan.svg Empire of Japan Nambu 8×22mm Nambu 8001935 ?3.37
Model 2 submachine gun Submachine gun Close-quarters Blow-back Flag of Japan.svg Empire of Japan Nambu 8×22mm Nambu 5008001935120-2003.37
Mauser C96 (Type MO Large pistol) Machine pistol Close-quarters / Sidearm Short recoil Flag of the German Empire.svg German Empire Mauser 7.63×25mm Mauser 10000900–1000 (M712 Schnellfeuer)1896 ?1.130
Type Be Submachine gun Close-quarters Open-bolt blow-back Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland MP18 Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft 7.63×25mm Mauser 1001920445~ [25] 4.18Designation for the Swiss SIG M1920.

Used in limited numbers by the Special Naval Landing Forces in Shanghai and Hainan Island and Chuuk Lagoon and Saipan.


Captured chinese guns were also put into service.

Type Su Submachine gun Close-quarters Open-bolt blow-back Flag of Austria.svg  Austria S1-100 Steyr-Solothurn A.G. 7.63×25mm Mauser 20060019296,000~4.48Used in limited numbers by the Special Naval Landing Forces in Shanghai and Hainan Island.

Rifles

Tree chart of Japanese rifles of World War II
Type 30 rifle
Type 35 rifle Type 30 carbineExport variants or licensed copies, e.g. Manchu Arisaka.
Type I Rifle Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg Type 38 rifle
Type 38 short rifleType 38 carbineExport variants or licensed copies, e.g. Estonian KL .303, Mexican Model 1913, Siamese Type 66, Thai Type 83, etc.
M1 Garand Flag of the United States.svg Pedersen rifle Flag of the United States.svg Type 44 carbine
Type 97 sniper rifle Type 1 TERA rifle Type Mo rifle I, II (Karabiner 98k) Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg
Experimental Type 4 rifle Experimental Type Hei Rifle Type 99 rifle Type 100 TERA rifle Type Mo rifle III (vz. 24) Flag of the Czech Republic.svg
Type 99 long rifle Type 99 sniper rifle Type 2 TERA rifle
NameTypeRole/sActionOriginBase model/sManufacturer/sCartridge/sEffective firing range
(m)
From (year)Estimated wartime quantityUnloaded weight
(kg)
Notes
Type 30 rifle [26] Standard rifle Front-line Bolt-action Flag of Japan.svg Empire of Japan Arisaka 6.5×50mm Arisaka 4501897599,000~3.95Limited distribution in 1945
Type 35 rifle [27] Standard rifle Front-line Bolt-action Flag of Japan.svg Empire of Japan Arisaka 6.5×50mm Arisaka 190238,200~ [28] 4.20
Type 38 rifle [29] Standard rifle Front-line Bolt-action Flag of Japan.svg Empire of Japan Arisaka 6.5×50mm Arisaka 45719053,400,000~3.95
Type 38 carbine [30] Carbine Close-quarters Bolt-action Flag of Japan.svg Empire of Japan Type 38 Arisaka 6.5×50mm Arisaka 3661905517,800~ [30] 3.30Main armament of IJA auxiliary troops
Type 44 carbine [31] Carbine Close-quarters Bolt-action Flag of Japan.svg Empire of Japan Type 38 Arisaka 6.5×50mm Arisaka 366191191,900~ [31] 3.30Foldable
Type 97 sniper rifle Sniper rifle Long-Range Precision Bolt-action Flag of Japan.svg Empire of Japan Type 38 Arisaka 6.5×50mm Arisaka 1,500193722,500~3.952.5x telescopic sight
Type 99 (short) rifle [32] Standard rifle Front-line Bolt-action Flag of Japan.svg Empire of Japan Arisaka 7.7×58mm Arisaka 65619393,500,000~ [32] 3.70Intended to replace Type 38
Type 99 (long) rifle [33] Standard rifle Front-line Bolt-action Flag of Japan.svg Empire of Japan Arisaka 7.7×58mm Arisaka 656193938,000~ [33] 4.09
Type 2 TERA rifle Takedown rifle Front-line / Close-quarters Bolt-action Flag of Japan.svg Empire of Japan Type 99 Nagoya 7.7×58mm Arisaka 194321,200~3.70Takedown variant for paratroopers
Type 99 sniper rifle Sniper rifle Long-Range Precision Bolt-action Flag of Japan.svg Empire of Japan Type 99 Arisaka 7.7×58mm Arisaka 1,70019398,000~3.702.5x or 4x telescopic sight
Type 100 TERA rifle Takedown rifle Front-line / Close-quarters Bolt-action Flag of Japan.svg Empire of Japan Karabiner 98k unknown 7.7×58mm Arisaka 1940500~3.90Experimental, detachable barrel for paratroopers
Type 1 TERA rifle Takedown rifle Front-line / Close-quarters Bolt-action Flag of Japan.svg Empire of Japan Type 38 carbine Nagoya 6.5×50mm Arisaka 1941250~3.30Experimental, foldable for paratroopers
Type Hei rifle Battle rifle Front-line / Assault Gas-operated, toggle-action Flag of Japan.svg Empire of Japan Nippon 6.5×50mm Arisaka 193550~3.90Experimental
Type 4 rifle / Type 5 Rifle [34] Battle rifle Front-line / Assault Gas-operated, rotating bolt Flag of Japan.svg Empire of Japan M1 Garand Yokosuka 7.7×58mm Arisaka 4571945250~4.14Experimental
Karabiner 98k (Type Mo rifle I, II) [35] Standard rifle Front-line Bolt-action Flag of Nazi Germany.svg Nazi Germany Mauser 7.92×57mm Mauser 500193720,000~ [35] 3.90Imported, version I for infantry and II for cavalry
vz. 24 (Type Mo rifle III) [36] Standard rifle Front-line Bolt-action Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czechoslovakia Karabiner 98AZ Považská Bystrica 7.92×57mm Mauser 193740,000~ [36] 4.20Imported, for both infantry and cavalry
Type I rifle [37] Standard rifle Front-line Bolt-action Flag of the Kingdom of Italy.svg Kingdom of Italy Type 38 Carcano 6.5×50mm Arisaka 1939120,000~3.95Built in Italy under contract to Type 38 specification

Grenades and grenade launchers

GrenadeLauncherFrom (year)TypeFillingMass (kg)Notes
Type 10 grenade Type 10 1914Fragmentation TNT 0.530Inaccurate fuse timing
Type 91 grenade Type 89 1931Fragmentation TNT 0.530Improvement of Type 10
Type 92 grenade  [ ja ] Type 10 1933Chemical TNT 0.590Green (skin irritant) and red (tear gas) versions, 30g bursting and 37-40g chemical charges
Type 97 grenade No1937Fragmentation TNT 0.450Evolution of Type 91 optimized for hand-throw
Type 98 grenade No1939FragmentationCast picric acid 0.595Copy of Model 24 grenade, long handle
Type 99 grenade Type 100 1939FragmentationCast picric acid 0.300Variant of Type 97 for grenade launcher
Type 2 grenade (30mm) Type 2 1942Anti-tank50% TNT, 50% RDX 0.230
Type 2 grenade (40mm) Type 2 1942Anti-tank50% TNT, 50% RDX 0.36998mm RHA penetration
Type 3 grenade No1943Anti-tank50% TNT, 50% PETN 0.830-1.270Shaped charge, fabric body
Type 4 grenade No1944Fragmentation Ammonium perchlorate explosive0.480Ceramic (Pottery) grenade

Flare guns

NameTypeRole/sOriginBase model/sManufacturer/sCartridge/sFrom (year)Estimated wartime quantityUnloaded mass (kg)Notes
Type 10 signal pistol (35 mm) Flare gun Distress call / sidearm Flag of Japan.svg Empire of Japan Koishikawa Arsenal
Kokura Arsenal
1921 ?

Recoilless rifles

NameTypeRole/sOriginBase model/sManufacturer/sCartridge/sFrom (year)Estimated wartime quantityUnloaded mass (kg)Notes
Type 4 70 mm AT rocket launcher rocket launcher Anti-tank / Anti-material / Breaching Flag of Japan.svg Empire of Japan 72x359mm19443,500~8
Type 5 45 mm AT rocket launcher rocket launcher Anti-tank / Anti-material / Breaching Flag of Japan.svg Empire of Japan  ?
81mm recoilless rifle  [ ja ] rocket launcher Anti-tank / Anti-material / Breaching Flag of Japan.svg Empire of Japan  ?300 produced in 1944 and used up in battle for Okinawa
10.5 cm recoilless rifle rocket launcher Anti-tank / Anti-material / Breaching Flag of Japan.svg Empire of Japan  ?

Flamethrowers

NameTypeRole/sOriginBase model/sManufacturer/sFrom (year)Estimated wartime quantityMass (kg)Notes
Type 93 flamethrowers Flamethrower Specialized role Flag of Japan.svg Empire of Japan 1933 ?26 + 4.5
Type 100 flamethrowers Flamethrower Specialized role Flag of Japan.svg Empire of Japan 1940 ?26 + 4

Machine guns

Infantry and dual-purpose machine guns

NameTypeRole/sActionOriginBase model/sManufacturer/sCartridge/sEffective firing range (m)Cyclic rate of fire (round/min)From (year)Estimated wartime quantityUnloaded mass (kg)Note/s
Type 11 light machine gun Light machine gun Fire support / Suppression / Defense Gas-operated Flag of Japan.svg Empire of Japan Nambu 6.5×50mm Arisaka 800500192229,000~ (Pacific Theater)10.2
Type 89 flexible Light machine gun Fire support / Suppression / Defense Gas-operated Flag of Japan.svg Empire of Japan Type 11 light machine gun Nambu 7.7x58mmSR Type 89 1,4001929 ?28Twin Type 11
Type 89 (special) Light machine gun Fire support / Suppression / Defense Gas-operated Flag of Japan.svg Empire of Japan Type 89 flexible Nambu 7.7x58mmSR Type 89 1,4001929 ?28Belt-fed version of Type 89 flexible
Type 89 (modified single) Light machine gun Fire support / Suppression / Defense Gas-operated Flag of Japan.svg Empire of Japan Type 89 (special) Nambu 7.7x58mmSR Type 89 6701938 ?9.3Single-barrel version of Type 89 (special) to reduce weight
Type 96 light machine gun Light machine gun Fire support / Suppression / Defense Gas-operated Flag of Japan.svg Empire of Japan Nambu 6.5x50mm Arisaka 800550193641,000~ (Pacific Theater)9
Type 97 light machine gun Light machine gun Fire support / Suppression / Defense Gas-operated Flag of Japan.svg Empire of Japan Type 96 light machine gun Nagoya 7.7x58mm Arisaka 540500193718,000~ (Pacific Theater)12.47.7 mm version of Type 96, widely used on Japanese tanks
Type 99 light machine gun Light machine gun Fire support / Suppression / Defense Gas-operated Flag of Japan.svg Empire of Japan Type 97 light machine gun Hitachi 7.7×58mm Arisaka
7.62×54mmR (VPA converted)
2,000800193953,000~ (Pacific Theater)10.4Reliability improvements of Type 96/97 (7.7 mm)
Type 21 light machine gun Light machine gun Fire support / Suppression / Defense Gas-operated Flag of Japan.svg Empire of Japan  ?
Type 3 heavy machine gun Heavy machine gun Anti-Aircraft / Airspace Denial / Fire support / Suppression / Defense Gas-operated Flag of Japan.svg Empire of Japan Hotchkiss M1914 Nambu 6.5x50mm Arisaka
7×57mm Mauser
1700400–4501914 ?55Also known as 6.5mm Taishō 14 machine gun
Type 92 heavy machine gun Heavy machine gun Anti-Aircraft / Airspace Denial / Fire support / Suppression / Defense Gas-operated Flag of Japan.svg Empire of Japan Type 3 heavy machine gun Nambu 7.7×58mm Type 92 800450-500193445,000~ (Pacific Theater)55.37.7mm version of Type 3
Type 1 heavy machine gun Heavy machine gun Anti-Aircraft / Airspace Denial / Fire support / Suppression / Defense Gas-operated Flag of Japan.svg Empire of Japan Type 92 heavy machine gun Hitachi 7.7x58mm Arisaka 1,400400–4501941 ?36.8 Type 92 modified for weight reduction
Type 98 7.7mm water-cooled heavy machine gun  [ ja ] Heavy machine gun Anti-Aircraft / Airspace Denial / Fire support / Suppression / Defense Recoil-operated Flag of Japan.svg Empire of Japan 7.7×58mm Type 92 5001940 ?55.5
Type 38 heavy machine gun Heavy machine gun Anti-Aircraft / Airspace Denial / Fire support / Suppression / Defense Gas-operated Flag of Japan.svg Empire of Japan  ?
Lewis gun (Type 92 machine gun) Light machine gun Fire support / Suppression / Defense Gas-operated Flag of the United States.svg  United States 7.7x56R Type 87 IJN 8006001932 ?8.5

Vehicle and aircraft machine guns

NameTypeActionApplication/sOriginBase model/sManufacturer/sCartridge/sFrom (year)Unloaded mass (kg)Note/s
Type 91 machine gun Light machine gun Gas-operated Armoured fighting ground vehiclesFlag of Japan.svg Empire of Japan Type 11 light machine gun 6.5×50mm Arisaka Type 11 light machine gun modified for automotive use
Type 92 Automotive 13 mm cannon  [ ja ] Autocannon Gas-operated Armoured fighting ground vehiclesFlag of Japan.svg Empire of Japan 7.7×58mm Type 92 1932
Type 97 aircraft machine gun Light machine gun Short recoil, toggle lock Nakajima B6N, Yokosuka K5Y,
Yokosuka D4Y, Aichi D3A,
Aichi E16A, Kawanishi E7K,
Kawanishi N1K and its land-based derivative,
the N1K-J, Mitsubishi J2M,
Mitsubishi F1M2, in addition to the Mitsubishi A6M Zero
and its floatplane derivative, the Nakajima A6M2-N.
Flag of Japan.svg Empire of Japan Type 89 FIXED 7.7x56mm R 1937Modified Type 89 fixed
Type 4 heavy machine gun  [ ja ] Heavy machine gun Recoil operated Flag of Japan.svg Empire of Japan 1944Experimental, tested in 1942–1944, but was not accepted by army until surrender of Japan
Ho-103 machine gun Heavy Machine Gun Recoil operated

and various others.

Flag of Japan.svg Empire of Japan M1921 aircraft Browning machine gun 12.7×81mmSR Breda1941
Ho-203 cannon Autocannon Long recoil Flag of Japan.svg Empire of Japan 37x112mmR1940
Ho-5 cannon Autocannon Short recoil

and various others.

Flag of Japan.svg Empire of Japan Ho-103 machine gun 20×94mm
Type 99 cannon Autocannon API Blowback Merchant flag of Japan (1870).svg  Empire of Japan Oerlikon FF 20×72mmRB1937Modified Oerlikon FF.
MG15 (Type 98 turret machine gun  [ ja ]) Light machine gun Recoil operation

and various others.

Flag of Germany (3-2 aspect ratio).svg  Weimar Republic 7.92×57mm Mauser 1940Licensed production of MG15 7.62mm machine gun.
Vickers .303 (Type 89 fixed) Light machine gun Short recoil Nakajima Ki-27, Ki-43,
early Ki-44 fighters, the Mitsubishi Ki-30,
Ki-51 light bombers, the Kawasaki Ki-32 light bomber
and various others.
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 7.7x58mmSR Type 89 192912.7License-built Vickers .303 (7.7 mm).

Artillery

Infantry mortars

Heavy mortars & rocket launchers

Field artillery

Fortress and siege guns

Infantry guns

Anti-tank guns

Anti-tank weapons (besides anti-tank guns)

Anti-aircraft weapons

Occasional anti-aircraft guns

Light anti-aircraft guns

Medium & heavy anti-aircraft guns

NameCaliber (mm)Eff. alt.From (year)Estimated quantityMass (kg)Fire rate (RPM)Note/s
QF 3.7-inch AA gun Mk1947,300194109,31715captured from British
Type 11 756,6501922442,0615~used as railroad gun and in home islands fortresses
Type 14 10010,5001925705,1945~civil defense in Kyushu only
Type 10 12010,06519272,0007,80011cheap coastal defense tool, dual-purpose
Type 88 757,25019282,0002,74018based on QF 3-inch 20 cwt design, mainstay of civil defense
Type 89 naval gun 1279,43919321,30620,30011standard heavy AA gun of IJN
Type 99 8810,42019381,0006,500152nd most produced after Type 88 for civil defense
8 cm/40 3rd Year Type naval gun 76.25,4001914692,60013dual-purpose naval gun, during World War II used on gunboats and for civil air defense
Type 3 12cm 12013,000194412019,80020the only mass-produced Japanese weapon effective against B-29
Type 4 7510,0001944705,85010reverse-engineered Bofors gun captured from Chinese, intended to replace Type 88, modified as Type 5 75 mm Tank Gun
Type 5 149.116,000194529,20010had a fire-control electronic computer

Vehicles

Tankettes

Amphibious tanks

Note: Amphibious tanks were used by the IJN.

Self-propelled guns

Tank-based

NameChassisGunFrom (year)Estimated quantityRole/s
Ji-Ro Type 95 heavy tank 10 cm ?1self-propelled anti-tank gun
Hi-Ro Sha Type 95 heavy tank 10 cm ?1self-propelled anti-tank gun
Type 4 Ho-To Type 95 Ha-Go Type 38 12 cm howitzer 19441SPG
Type 5 Ho-Ru Type 95 Ha-Go Type 1 47 mm anti-tank gun 19451SP ATG
Type 1 Ho-Ni I Type 97 Chi-Ha Type 90 75 mm field gun 194126SP ATG
Type 1 Ho-Ni II Type 97 Chi-Ha Type 91 10 cm howitzer 194154SPG
Type 3 Ho-Ni III Type 97 Chi-Ha Type 3 75 mm tank gun 194331–41SP ATG
Type 2 Ho-I Type 97 Chi-Ha Type 41 75 mm mountain gun 194231SPG
Type 4 Ho-Ro Type 97 Chi-Ha Type 38 15 cm howitzer 194412SPG
Short barrel 120 mm gun tank Type 97 Chi-Ha 120 mm naval gun194512SPG
Type 5 Ho-Chi Type 97 Chi-Ha Type 96 15 cm howitzer 19451SPG
Type 98 Ta-Se Type 98 Ke-Ni Type 98 20 mm AA machine cannon 19411self-propelled anti-aircraft gun
Type 98 20 mm AAG tank Type 98 Ke-Ni twin Type 2 20 mm AA machine cannon 19441self-propelled anti-aircraft gun
Ta-Ha Type 1 Chi-He twin 37 mm high-angle gun19420self-propelled anti-aircraft gun
Type 5 Na-To Type 4 Chi-So medium tracked carrier Type 5 75 mm tank gun 19452SP ATG
Type 5 Ho-Ri Type 5 Chi-Ri 1x105mm, 1x37mm, 2x20mm (AA)19450SP ATG/AAG
Type 5 Ka-To Type 4 Chi-To 1x105mm19450SP ATG

Other

NameChassisGunFrom (year)Estimated quantityRole/s
Type 97 Ki-To SPAAG Type 97 Te-Ke Type 98 20 mm AA machine cannon 19381self-propelled anti-aircraft gun
Type 98 Ko-Hi half-track prime moverunarmed1938unknown numbertowing a Type 4 75 mm AA gun
Type 98 20 mm AA half-track vehicle Type 98 Ko-Hi half-track Type 98 20 mm AA machine cannon 19421self-propelled anti-aircraft gun
Type 4 Ha-To Type 4 Chi-So Type 3 30 cm mortar19444self-propelled mortar/rocket launcher

Armored cars

NameArmament/sRail wheels?Maker/sFrom (year)Estimated quantityComment/s
Austin Armoured Car noneNo Austin Motor Company/Nissan 1920s ?
Vickers Crossley armoured car 2× 7.7mm Vickers .303 MG No Crossley 1925 ?
Wolseley armoured car1× 6.5mm Type 3 MG No Sumida (Isuzu) under license from Wolseley Motors Limited 1928 ?
Type 2592 Chiyoda 3x6.5mm Type 11 MG NoSumida(Isuzu)1931200Also known as "Chiysda" (misspelled)
(Chiyoda QSW) "Aikoku"3x6.5mm Type 11 MG NoSumida(Isuzu)19312
(Chiyoda) "Kokusan"3x6.5mm Type 11 MG NoSumida(Isuzu)1931 ?
Type 2592 SumidanoneNoSumida(Isuzu)1932 ?
Sumida M.2593 1x 7.7mm machine gunYesSumida(Isuzu)19311,000Also known as Type 91 Broad-gauge railroad tractor Sumi-Da or Type 91 armored railroad car So-Mo
Type 95 So-Ki armored APC and railroad carnoneYesMitsubishi1935121–135
Type 93 armoured car 1× 7.7mm Vickers .303 MG & 4x 6.5mm MGYesOsaka Naval arsenal19335Also known as Type 2593 "Hokoku" or Type 93 "Kokusan" or "Type 92" naval armored car
Manchukyo Type 93 armored car [39] Type 11 37mm gun, Type 11 MG NoDaidou (Manchu) automobiles1933 ?
Type 2598 railroad carnoneYes ?1938 ?

Armored carriers

Armored trains

Railroad vehicles

Wagons

  • Wagon-1 Reconnaissance wagon
  • Wagon-1 Protective wagon
  • Wagon-2 Heavy Canone wagon
  • Wagon-3 Light Canone wagon
  • Wagon-4 Infantry wagon
  • Wagon-5 Command wagon
  • Wagon-6 Auxiliary tender
  • Wagon-7 Materials wagon
  • Wagon-7 Power Supply wagon
  • Wagon-8 Infantry wagon
  • Wagon-9 Light Canone wagon
  • Wagon-10 Howitzer wagon
  • Wagon-11 Protective wagon

Locomotives

Railroad cars

Japanese has used routinely road-railroad convertible automobiles. These are covered in "Armoured cars" section

Engineering and command

See List of Japanese Army military engineer vehicles of World War II

Trucks

Tractors & prime movers

Passenger cars (not armoured)

Motorcycles

Miscellaneous vehicles

Army vessels

River-crossing crafts

Landing craft

Motorboats

Gun boats

IJA Landing craft/aircraft carriers

Transport vessels

Aircraft

Secret weapons

Army secret weapons

Radars

Imperial Japanese Army radars

Ground-based radar

  • Ta-Chi 1 Ground-Based Target Tracking Radar Model 1
  • Ta-Chi 2 Ground-Based Target Tracking Radar Model 2
  • Ta-Chi 3 Ground-Based Target Tracking Radar Model 3
  • Ta-Chi 4 Ground-Based Target Tracking Radar Model 4
  • TypeA Bi-static Doppler Interface Detector (High Flequency Warning Device "Ko")
  • Ta-Chi 6 TypeB Fixed Early Warning Device (Fixed Early Warning Device "Otsu")
  • Ta-Chi 7 Type B Mobile Early Warning Device (Mobile Early Warning Device "Otsu")
  • Ta-Chi 13 Aircraft Guidance System
  • Ta-Chi 18 Type B Portable Early Warning Device (Portable Early Warning Device "Otsu")
  • Ta-Chi 20 Fixed Early Warning Device Receiver (for Ta-Chi 6)
  • Ta-Chi 24 Mobile Anti-Aircraft Radar (Japanese Wurzburg radar)
  • Ta-Chi 28 Aircraft Guidance Device
  • Ta-Chi 31 Ground-Based Target Tracking Radar Model 4 modified

Airborne radar

  • Ta-Ki 1 Model 1 Airborne Surveillance Radar
  • Ta-Ki 1 Model 2 Airborne Surveillance Radar
  • Ta-Ki 1 Model 3 Airborne Surveillance Radar
  • Ta-Ki 11 ECM Device
  • Ta-Ki 15 Aircraft Guidance Device Receiver (for Tachi 13)

Shipborne radar

  • Ta-Se 1 Anti-Surface Radar
  • Ta-Se 2 Anti-Surface Radar

Imperial Japanese Navy Radars

Land-based radar

  • Type 2 Mark 1 Model 1 Early Warning Radar ("11-Go" Early Warning Radar)
  • Type 2 Mark 1 Model 1 Modify 1 Early Warning Radar ("11-Go" Model 1 Early Warning Radar)
  • Type 2 Mark 1 Model 1 Modify 2 Early Warning Radar ("11-Go" Model 2 Early Warning Radar)
  • Type 2 Mark 1 Model 1 Modify 3 Early Warning Radar ("11-Go" Model 3 Early Warning Radar)
  • Type 2 Mark 1 Model 2 Mobil Early Warning Radar ("12-Go" Mobil Early Warning Radar)
  • Type 2 Mark 1 Model 2 Modify 2 Mobil Early Warning Radar ("12-Go" Modify 2 Mobile Early Warning Radar)
  • Type 2 Mark 1 Model 2 Modify 3 Mobil Early Warning Radar ("12-Go" Modify 3 Mobile Early Warning Radar)
  • Type 3 Mark 1 Model 1 Early Warning Radar ("11-Go" Modified Early Warning Radar)
  • Type 3 Mark 1 Model 3 Small Size Early Warning Radar ("13-Go" Small Size Early Warning Radar)
  • Type 3 Mark 1 Model 4 Long-Range Air Search Radar ("14-Go" Long-Range Air Search Radar)
  • Type 2 Mark 4 Model 1 Anti-aircraft Fire-Control Radar (Japanese SCR-268)
  • Type 2 Mark 4 Model 2 Anti-aircraft Fire-Control Radar (Japanese SCR-268) (S24 Anti-aircraft Fire-Control Radar)

Airborne radar

  • Type 3 Air Mark 6 Model 4 Airborne Ship-Search Radar (H6 Airborne Ship-Search Radar) (N6 Airborne Ship-Search Radar)
  • Type 5 Model 1 Radio Location Night Vision Device

Shipborne radar

  • Type 2 Mark 2 Model 1 Air Search Radar ("21-Go" Air Search Radar)
  • Type 2 Mark 2 Model 2 Modify 3 Anti-Surface, Fire assisting Radar for Submarine ("21-Go" Modify 3 Anti-Surface, Fire-assisting Radar)
  • Type 2 Mark 2 Model 2 Modify 4 Anti-Surface, Fire-assisting Radar for Ship ("21-Go" Modify 4 Anti-Surface, Fire-assisting Radar)
  • Type 2 Mark 3 Model 1 Anti-Surface Fire-Control Radar ("31-Go" Anti-Surface Fire-Control Radar)
  • Type 2 Mark 3 Model 2 Anti-Surface Fire-Control Radar ("32-Go" Anti-Surface Fire-Control Radar)
  • Type 2 Mark 3 Model 3 Anti-Surface Fire-Control Radar ("33-Go" Anti-Surface Fire-Control Radar)

Missiles & bombs

NameTypeFrom (year)Mass (kg)Role/sUser/sComment/s
Kawasaki Ki-147 I-Go Type1 – Ko guided missile19441,400air-to-surfaceIJARadio-guided, also known as I-Go-1A
Mitsubishi I-Go-1B guided missile1944680air-to-surfaceIJARadio-guided, also known as Ki-148 or I-Go Type 1-Hei
Ke-Go guided missile1944680air-to-surfaceIJAIR homing version of Ki-148
Funshin-danunguided missile194340surface-to-airIJNused in battle of Iwo Jima
Funryuguided missile19431,900surface-to-airIJNRadio-guided, models Funryu-1 to Funryu-4
Yokosuka MXY7 Ohka guided missile19452,140surface-to-airIJNguided by suicide pilot
Type 92 No. 1bomb193215air-to-surfaceIJA
Type 92 No. 25bomb1932250air-to-surfaceIJA
Type 92 No. 50bomb1932500air-to-surfaceIJA
Type 94 No. 5bomb193450air-to-surfaceIJA
Type 94 Mod. No. 5bomb193450air-to-surfaceIJA
Type 94 No. 10bomb1934100air-to-surfaceIJA
Type 94 No. 10 Mod.bomb1934100air-to-surfaceIJA
Type 97 No. 6bomb193760air-to-surfaceIJNused in Pearl Harbor attack
Type 98 No. 25bomb193830air-to-surfaceIJNused in Pearl Harbor attack
Type 99 No. 3 Mod.bomb193930air-to-surfaceIJA
Type 99 No. 80bomb1939800anti-shipIJNused in Pearl Harbor attack
Type 99 No. 25bomb193930anti-shipIJNused in Pearl Harbor attack
Type 1 No. 5bomb194150air-to-surfaceIJA
Type 1 No. 10bomb1941100air-to-surfaceIJA
Type 1 No. 25bomb1941250air-to-surfaceIJA
Type 3 No. 10bomb1943100air-to-surfaceIJA
Type 3 No. 25bomb1943250air-to-surfaceIJASkipping bomb
Type 4 No. 10bomb1944100anti-shipIJA
Type 4 No. 25bomb1944250anti-shipIJA
Type 4 No. 50bomb1944500anti-shipIJA

Unclear IJA bombs

Unclear IJN bombs

Unclear bomb

Cartridges and shells

Cartridges

NameBullet mass (g)Bullet typeVelocity (m/s)Energy (J)
7×20mm Nambu 4FMJ240108
8×22mm Nambu 7FMJ290274
9×22mmR Japanese 9.7LRN229252
6.5×50mmSR Arisaka (9g Ball)9FMJ7702,666
7.7×56mmR (10g SP)10SP8443,463
7.7×56mmR (12g SP)12SP7833,574
7.7×56mmR (11g HPBT)11HPBT7613,265
7.7×58mm Arisaka (11g Ball)11FMJ7403,136
7.7x58mmSR (13g Ball)13FMJ6703,190

High Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) shells

GunCaliber (mm)Mass (kg)Length (mm)Penetration (mm)
Type 90/97 tank gun571.8018955
Type 92 infantry gun 703.3828190
Type 41 75 mm mountain gun 753.95297100
Type 38 12 cm howitzer12013.03387140
Type 4 15 cm howitzer14921.04524150

Among them, the HEAT of Type 41 mountain gun was used in action and destroyed several Allied tanks in Burma and other places. The use of the HEAT for other guns is not known.

Other HEAT shell was the projectile of Type 94 mountain gun. The HEAT of Type 94 mountain gun was not produced though it was developed.

See also

Related Research Articles

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