Type 38 12 cm howitzer

The Type 38 12 cm howitzer (1905) is an obsolete Japanese field piece used by the Imperial Japanese Army during World War I, Second Sino-Japanese War, and World War II. The Type 38 designation was given to this gun as it was accepted in the 38th year of Emperor Meiji's reign (1905). It was encountered by Allied forces for the first time on Iwo Jima, and it may have been used as an emergency or substitute weapon. [3]

Japanese Type 38 12 cm howitzer
Type 38 120mm Howitzer of the 4th Battery at Geiyo Fortress in Ehime Prefecture.
TypeHowitzer
Place of origin Empire of Japan
Service history
In service1905-1945?
Used by Imperial Japanese Army
WarsWorld War I
Second Sino-Japanese War
World War II
Production history
No. built187[1]
Specifications
MassTravel: 2,164 kg (4,771 lb)
Firing: 1,260 kg (2,770 lb)
LengthTravel: 4.90 m (16 ft 1 in)
Firing: 3.76 m (12 ft 4 in)[2]
Barrel length1.32 m (4 ft 4 in)
Width1.47 m (4 ft 10 in)
Height1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)[2]
Caliber120 mm (4.72 in)
BreechInterrupted screw
RecoilHydro-spring
CarriageBox trail
Elevation-5° to +43°
Traverse-2° to +2°
Muzzle velocity276 m/s (910 ft/s)
Maximum firing range5.6 km (3.5 mi)[2]

Description

It is characterized by a very short barrel, box trail, and large wooden wheels. It has an interrupted screw breech block and Hydro-spring recoil-mechanism. No gun shield is used with this weapon.[4]

Elevating and traversing hand wheels, and panoramic sight are at the left of the breech. The firing mechanism is a lanyard actuated percussion type.[4]

Armor-piercing, Armor-piercing High Explosive, HEAT, and Shrapnel shells have been recovered. The projectiles have the usual color markings and are similar in appearance to 75mm APHE and shrapnel shells. The APHE shell weighs 20 kg (44 lb) while the shrapnel shell contains 300 lead balls.[4]

References

Notes
  1. "T38 12cm". www3.plala.or.jp. Retrieved 24 March 2019.
  2. Japanese Field Artillery. US War Department. Military Intelligence Division. 1944. p. 77. OCLC 6337065.
  3. War Department Special Series No 25 Japanese Field Artillery October 1944
  4. "Japanese Artillery Weapons, CINPAC-CINPOA Bulletin 152 45". US War Department. 1 July 1945.

Bibliography
  • US War Department Japanese Artillery Weapons, CINPAC-CINPOA Bulletin 152 45" 1 July 1945
  • War Department Special Series No 25 Japanese Field Artillery October 1944

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