Type 1 Ho-Ki
Encyclopedia
The was a tracked Armored personnel carrier (APC) developed by the Imperial Japanese Army
in World War II
.
for a heavy armored artillery tractor which could also serve as a personnel transport.
Production of both tracked and half-track APCs began in 1941, and both versions were confusingly designated “Type 1" (See also Type 1 Ho-Ha
half-track
). The fully tracked Type 1 Ho-Ki was built by Hino Motors
, but only in small quantities. Although the Japanese army had employed mechanized infantry
formations in China
from the mid-1930s, the general view of field commanders was that armored transports were too slow compared with normal trucks, and were unable to keep up with the speed necessary for contemporary infantry tactics. Furthermore the priorities of Japanese military production were on combat aircraft and warship
s, and other offensive weaponry and most experiemental APC designs never made it past the prototype stage. By the time the Type 1 Ho-Ki actually entered mass production in 1944, raw materials were in very short supply, and much of Japan's industrial infrastructure had been destroyed by American bombing. The total number produced is unknown.
As the Type 1 Ho-Ki had been designed to pull artillery as well as to carry infantry
, it had no rear exit hatch, it was felt that the towed weapon might interfere with the rapid exit of any onboard riflemen. Entry and exit of troops was thus accomplished from the left (driver's) side via three doors mounted side by side.
The engine, which was located at the right front of the body, was a 6-cylinder, in-line, valve-in-head, air-cooled diesel.
The Type 1 Ho-Ki was not normally armed, but provision was made to mount a machine gun
to the rear of the driver. The Type 92 Heavy Machine Gun
carried by Japanese infantry squads could be mounted in this position. Although it was an APC, it was often called a halftrack.
for operations in the ongoing Second Sino-Japanese War
, but were never in any great numbers. The Type 1 Ho-Ki was later deployed with Japanese reinforcements to the Philippines
in 1944; however, most were lost when the transport ships carrying them were sunk by American submarine
s on the way, and only a few were available for Japanese commanders at the Battle of the Philippines.
Imperial Japanese Army
-Foundation:During the Meiji Restoration, the military forces loyal to the Emperor were samurai drawn primarily from the loyalist feudal domains of Satsuma and Chōshū...
in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Development and history
The Type 1 Ho-Ki was developed in 1942 as a result of a request from the Armyfor a heavy armored artillery tractor which could also serve as a personnel transport.
Production of both tracked and half-track APCs began in 1941, and both versions were confusingly designated “Type 1" (See also Type 1 Ho-Ha
Type 1 Ho-Ha
-External links:*...
half-track
Half-track
A half-track is a civilian or military vehicle with regular wheels on the front for steering, and caterpillar tracks on the back to propel the vehicle and carry most of the load. The purpose of this combination is to produce a vehicle with the cross-country capabilities of a tank and the handling...
). The fully tracked Type 1 Ho-Ki was built by Hino Motors
Hino Motors
-External links:Global* * * Overseas offices****.*.***.*.* - Philippines**...
, but only in small quantities. Although the Japanese army had employed mechanized infantry
Mechanized infantry
Mechanized infantry are infantry equipped with armored personnel carriers , or infantry fighting vehicles for transport and combat ....
formations in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
from the mid-1930s, the general view of field commanders was that armored transports were too slow compared with normal trucks, and were unable to keep up with the speed necessary for contemporary infantry tactics. Furthermore the priorities of Japanese military production were on combat aircraft and warship
Warship
A warship is a ship that is built and primarily intended for combat. Warships are usually built in a completely different way from merchant ships. As well as being armed, warships are designed to withstand damage and are usually faster and more maneuvrable than merchant ships...
s, and other offensive weaponry and most experiemental APC designs never made it past the prototype stage. By the time the Type 1 Ho-Ki actually entered mass production in 1944, raw materials were in very short supply, and much of Japan's industrial infrastructure had been destroyed by American bombing. The total number produced is unknown.
Design
The Type 1 Ho-Ki had an unusual silhouette, in that the driver's cab did not reach across the front of the hull, but stopped short about mid-way across the center line. Only one driver was required (although two were typically employed), who manipulated the left and right movement of the tracks via a pair of tiny steering wheels. Transport capacity was about thirteen men, and the maximum armor thickness was 6 mm.As the Type 1 Ho-Ki had been designed to pull artillery as well as to carry infantry
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
, it had no rear exit hatch, it was felt that the towed weapon might interfere with the rapid exit of any onboard riflemen. Entry and exit of troops was thus accomplished from the left (driver's) side via three doors mounted side by side.
The engine, which was located at the right front of the body, was a 6-cylinder, in-line, valve-in-head, air-cooled diesel.
The Type 1 Ho-Ki was not normally armed, but provision was made to mount a machine gun
Machine gun
A machine gun is a fully automatic mounted or portable firearm, usually designed to fire rounds in quick succession from an ammunition belt or large-capacity magazine, typically at a rate of several hundred rounds per minute....
to the rear of the driver. The Type 92 Heavy Machine Gun
Type 92 Heavy Machine Gun
entered service in 1932 and was the standard Japanese heavy machine gun used during World War II. It was used extensively by the Imperial Japanese Army and Collaborationist forces. Captured weapons were also used extensively by Chinese National Revolutionary Army troops and the North Korean army...
carried by Japanese infantry squads could be mounted in this position. Although it was an APC, it was often called a halftrack.
Combat record
Initial deployment of the Type 1 Ho-Ki was to the ChinaChina
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
for operations in the ongoing Second Sino-Japanese War
Second Sino-Japanese War
The Second Sino-Japanese War was a military conflict fought primarily between the Republic of China and the Empire of Japan. From 1937 to 1941, China fought Japan with some economic help from Germany , the Soviet Union and the United States...
, but were never in any great numbers. The Type 1 Ho-Ki was later deployed with Japanese reinforcements to the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
in 1944; however, most were lost when the transport ships carrying them were sunk by American submarine
Submarine
A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below the surface of the water. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability...
s on the way, and only a few were available for Japanese commanders at the Battle of the Philippines.