Type 11 75 mm AA gun

The Type 11 75 mm anti-aircraft gun (十一年式七糎半野戦高射砲, Jyūichinen-shiki nana-senti-han Yasen Koshahō) was an anti-aircraft gun used by the Imperial Japanese Army after World War I. The Type 11 designation was given to this gun as it was accepted in the 11th year of Emperor Taishō's reign (1922).[1] It was the first anti-aircraft gun in Japanese service, but only a small number were produced, and it was superseded by the Type 14 10 cm gun and the Type 88 75 mm gun in active service before the start of World War II.

Japanese Type 11 75mm AA gun
Type 11 75mm anti-aircraft gun
TypeAnti-aircraft gun
Place of originEmpire of Japan
Service history
In service1922-1940
Used byImperial Japanese Army
WarsSecond Sino-Japanese War
Production history
Designed1920
No. built44
Specifications
Mass2.061 tons
Barrel length2.562 m (8 ft 5 in) L/34
Crew6
Caliber75 mm (2.95 in)
Breechsliding
Carriagenone
Elevation0° to +85°
Traverse360°
Muzzle velocity525 m/s (1,720 ft/s)
Effective firing range6,650 m (21,820 ft)
Maximum firing range10,900 m (11,900 yd)

History and development

Due to combat experience at the Battle of Tsingtao against the Imperial German Luftstreitkräfte’s fledgling squadron of combat aircraft, planners on the Imperial Japanese Army General Staff quickly realized that this new technology posed a threat which required countermeasures. This evaluation was further reinforced by reports from military observers on the European front in World War I.

The Type 11 gun was placed into production in 1922, taking design features from a number of overseas design, including the British QF 3-inch 20 cwt anti-aircraft gun.[2] However, it was expensive to produce and lacked both accuracy and range of fire. Only 44 units were completed before production was terminated.[3]

Design

The Type 11 75 mm AA gun had a single piece gun barrel with sliding breech, mounted on a central pedestal. The firing platform was supported by five legs, each of which (along with the central pedestal) had an adjustable screwed foot for leveling. It fired a 6.5 kg (14 lb) projectile to an effective altitude of 6,650 m (21,820 ft).[4]

Combat record

The Type 11 75 mm AA gun saw limited service with Japanese combat forces during the invasion of Manchuria, Soviet-Japanese Border Wars and the Second Sino-Japanese War. It was withdrawn from active service prior to the start of the Pacific War.[5]

Notes
  1. War Department TM-E-30-480 Handbook on Japanese Military Forces September 1944 p 400
  2. MacLean. Japanese Artillery; Weapons and Tactics
  3. Taki's Imperial Japanese Army
  4. Bishop, The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II. p. 150
  5. Chant, Artillery of World War II. p63

References
  • Bishop, Chris (eds) The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II. Barnes & Nobel. 1998. ISBN 0-7607-1022-8
  • Chant, Chris. Artillery of World War II, Zenith Press, 2001, ISBN 0-7603-1172-2
  • McLean, Donald B. Japanese Artillery; Weapons and Tactics. Wickenburg, Ariz.: Normount Technical Publications 1973. ISBN 0-87947-157-3.
  • War Department TM-E-30-480 Handbook on Japanese Military Forces September 1944
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