The Type 3 Ho-Ni III was a Japanese tank destroyer and
self-propelled gun produced by mounting a 75mm gun on the chassis of the Type
97 Chi-Ha medium tank. The Ho-Ni I and Ho-Ni II had been pure self-propelled
artillery, with only a partly enclosed casement for the gun, making them very
vulnerable in close combat.
In contrast the Type 3 Ho-Ni III carried a Type 90 75mm gun
in a fully enclosed armoured casemate. This allowed it to be used as either a
tank destroyer or in the same way as the Ho-Ni I and II as self-propelled
artillery. Fifty seven Ho-Ni IIIs were ordered from Hitachi, of which either 31
or 41 were completed
Although the Type 3 Ho-Ni III were assigned to various
combat units, most were stationed within the Japanese home islands to defend
against the projected Allied Invasion. As the surrender of Japan occurred
before that invasion, there is no record of the Type 3 Ho-Ni III ever being used
in actual combat.
Type 3 (1943) Ho-Ni
III (Gun fourth III)
Specifications
Number produced: 31
or 41
Produced: 1944-45
Length: 5.52m
Hull Width: 2.33m
Height: 2.39m
Crew: 5
Weight: 17 tons
Engine: 170hp Diesel
Max Speed: 38km/hr
Armament: Type 90 75mm gun
Armour: 25mm thickest
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