Type 3 Ka-Chi
Encyclopedia
The was an amphibious
medium tank
developed by the Imperial Japanese Navy
in World War II
. The Type 3 Ka-Chi was based on an extensively modified Imperial Japanese Army
Type 1 Chi-He
tank and was a larger and more capable version of the earlier Type 2 Ka-Mi
amphibious tank.
, and it was determined that a larger version with stronger armor and armament would be useful in future amphibious warfare
operations as well as special forces
missions. Type 3 Ka-Chi was developed in 1943, and the first units entered service in late 1943-1944.
However, only 19 Type 3 Ka-Chi's were built from 1943 to 1945. The main priorities of the Navy were in warship and aircraft production, and lacking in any definite plans for additional amphibious operations, production of the Type 3 Ka-Chi remained a very low priority.
, and thus featured considerably better armored protection and firepower than the earlier Type 2 Ka-Mi. It had smooth sides that faired into front and rear flotation pontoons. The front pontoon had a curved 'bow
' shape and both pontoons could be jettisoned from inside the tank once the tank had landed. However, in practice, the pontoons were usually retained, as they provided some marginal additional protection against enemy fire.
The main gun of Type 3 Ka-Chi was the Type 1 47 mm gun
with barrel length of 2.250 meters (L/48), EL angle of fire by −15 to +20 degrees, AZ angle of fire of 20 degrees, muzzle velocity
by 810 m/s and penetration of 55 mm/100 m, 30 mm/1,000 m. This was also the same 47 mm gun used on the Army's Type 97-kai Shinhoto
. Secondary armament was a coaxial Type 97 light machine gun
and a hull mounted weapon of the same type. The gun turret
was designed with an extended circular cupola
to keep the hatch above water. The Type 3 Ka-Chi also had a distinctive large snorkel
behind the turret for aerating the diesel engine
more efficiently and keeping the exhaust free of water.
The vehicle required a crew of seven, one of whom (as with the Type 2 Ka-Chi) served as on-board mechanic.
launched, which enabled it to accommodate the increasingly difficult task of daytime reinforcement isolated for island garrisons in the South Pacific
and in Southeast Asia
Type 3 Ka-Chi was first encountered by Allied
forces at the Battle of Kwajalein
in 1944.
Amphibious vehicle
An amphibious vehicle , is a vehicle or craft, that is a means of transport, viable on land as well as on water – just like an amphibian....
medium tank
Medium tank
Medium tank was a classification of tanks; the medium being intermediate in size and weight and armament between heavy tanks and light tanks.The medium tank concept has been eclipsed by the main battle tank.-History:...
developed by the Imperial Japanese Navy
Imperial Japanese Navy
The Imperial Japanese Navy was the navy of the Empire of Japan from 1869 until 1947, when it was dissolved following Japan's constitutional renunciation of the use of force as a means of settling international disputes...
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...
. The Type 3 Ka-Chi was based on an extensively modified Imperial Japanese Army
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...
Type 1 Chi-He
Type 1 Chi-He
-External links:***...
tank and was a larger and more capable version of the earlier Type 2 Ka-Mi
Type 2 Ka-Mi
The was the Imperial Japanese Navy's first amphibious tank. The Type 2 Ka-Mi was based on the Imperial Japanese Army's Type 95 Ha-Go light tank with major modifications, and was a capable armoured fighting vehicle on both land and at sea...
amphibious tank.
History and development
The success of the Type 2 Ka-Mi design pleased the planners in the Imperial Japanese Navy General StaffImperial Japanese Navy General Staff
The was the highest organ within the Imperial Japanese Navy. In charge of planning and operations, it was headed by an Admiral headquartered in Tokyo.-History:...
, and it was determined that a larger version with stronger armor and armament would be useful in future amphibious warfare
Amphibious warfare
Amphibious warfare is the use of naval firepower, logistics and strategy to project military power ashore. In previous eras it stood as the primary method of delivering troops to non-contiguous enemy-held terrain...
operations as well as special forces
Special forces
Special forces, or special operations forces are terms used to describe elite military tactical teams trained to perform high-risk dangerous missions that conventional units cannot perform...
missions. Type 3 Ka-Chi was developed in 1943, and the first units entered service in late 1943-1944.
However, only 19 Type 3 Ka-Chi's were built from 1943 to 1945. The main priorities of the Navy were in warship and aircraft production, and lacking in any definite plans for additional amphibious operations, production of the Type 3 Ka-Chi remained a very low priority.
Design
The Type 3 Ka-Chi was based a heavily modified version of the chassis of the Army's Type 1 Chi-He medium tankMedium tank
Medium tank was a classification of tanks; the medium being intermediate in size and weight and armament between heavy tanks and light tanks.The medium tank concept has been eclipsed by the main battle tank.-History:...
, and thus featured considerably better armored protection and firepower than the earlier Type 2 Ka-Mi. It had smooth sides that faired into front and rear flotation pontoons. The front pontoon had a curved 'bow
Bow (ship)
The bow is a nautical term that refers to the forward part of the hull of a ship or boat, the point that is most forward when the vessel is underway. Both of the adjectives fore and forward mean towards the bow...
' shape and both pontoons could be jettisoned from inside the tank once the tank had landed. However, in practice, the pontoons were usually retained, as they provided some marginal additional protection against enemy fire.
The main gun of Type 3 Ka-Chi was the Type 1 47 mm gun
Type 1 47 mm Anti-Tank Gun
The was an anti-tank gun developed by the Imperial Japanese Army, and used in combat during World War II.-History and development:The Type 1 47 mm Anti-Tank gun was accepted into service in 1942. The design originated as an improvement to the prototype “Experimental Type 97 47 mm Anti-Tank Gun” ,...
with barrel length of 2.250 meters (L/48), EL angle of fire by −15 to +20 degrees, AZ angle of fire of 20 degrees, muzzle velocity
Muzzle velocity
Muzzle velocity is the speed a projectile has at the moment it leaves the muzzle of the gun. Muzzle velocities range from approximately to in black powder muskets , to more than in modern rifles with high-performance cartridges such as the .220 Swift and .204 Ruger, all the way to for tank guns...
by 810 m/s and penetration of 55 mm/100 m, 30 mm/1,000 m. This was also the same 47 mm gun used on the Army's Type 97-kai Shinhoto
Type 97 Chi-Ha
The was a medium tank used by the Imperial Japanese Army during the Second Sino-Japanese War, at Nomonhan against the Soviet Union, and in the Second World War. It was the most widely produced Japanese medium tank of World War II, although the armor protection was considered as average in the 1930s...
. Secondary armament was a coaxial Type 97 light machine gun
Type 97 Light Machine Gun
The was the standard machine gun used in tanks and armored vehicles of the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II, and also as a light machine gun by infantry forces.-Development:...
and a hull mounted weapon of the same type. The gun turret
Gun turret
A gun turret is a weapon mount that protects the crew or mechanism of a projectile-firing weapon and at the same time lets the weapon be aimed and fired in many directions.The turret is also a rotating weapon platform...
was designed with an extended circular cupola
Cupola (disambiguation)
Cupola, a diminutive of the Latin cupa and thus meaning 'little barrel', is used for dome-shaped items, including:* An architectural dome element...
to keep the hatch above water. The Type 3 Ka-Chi also had a distinctive large snorkel
Vehicle snorkel
A vehicle snorkel is the land-based equivalent of the submarine snorkel which allowed submarines to use diesel engines while submerged. Snorkels, when used by vehicles with air-breathing internal combustion engines, allow limited deep fording capability for river crossing or amphibious landing...
behind the turret for aerating the diesel engine
Diesel engine
A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber...
more efficiently and keeping the exhaust free of water.
The vehicle required a crew of seven, one of whom (as with the Type 2 Ka-Chi) served as on-board mechanic.
Combat record
The Type 3 Ka-Chi was produced in very limited numbers, but proved useful due to its capacity to be submarineSubmarine
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...
launched, which enabled it to accommodate the increasingly difficult task of daytime reinforcement isolated for island garrisons in the South Pacific
South Pacific Mandate
The was the Japanese League of Nations mandate consisting of several groups of islands in the Pacific Ocean which came under the administration of Japan after the defeat of the German Empire in World War I.-Early history:Under the terms of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance, after the start of World...
and in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
Type 3 Ka-Chi was first encountered by Allied
Allies of World War II
The Allies of World War II were the countries that opposed the Axis powers during the Second World War . Former Axis states contributing to the Allied victory are not considered Allied states...
forces at the Battle of Kwajalein
Battle of Kwajalein
The Battle of Kwajalein was a battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II, fought from 31 January-3 February 1944, on Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. Employing the hard-learned lessons of the battle of Tarawa, the United States launched a successful twin assault on the main islands of...
in 1944.
External links
- OnWar.com
- WWII vehicles
- WWII Drawings
- Taki's Imperial Japanese Army page
- Japanese Armored Vehicles of the Second World War
See also
- DD tankDD tankDD tanks , were a type of amphibious swimming tank developed by the British during the Second World War...
- World War II British tank floatation system. - T-38 - World War II, Soviet amphibious light tank.