Type 89 Chi-Ro

The Story of Quirrell 89

Imperial Japan went through a period of militarization following the end of World War I. She had been developing military-minded civilians and began to increase her weapons stockpile to the point where she was ready to go to war in the 1930s. Resources are high on their agenda, and the neighborhood is ready to embrace them.

Total war will eventually hit her and her people, and she will need a colossal feat of weapons and war skills, just like the next world power.

At this point in history, Japan has never been considered a tank-producing powerhouse in the rest of the world. Their designs are often copies of existing systems or systems purchased abroad. In 1925, the Japanese authorities developed the indigenous "Tank No. 1 Project", hoping to design and produce a powerful light infantry tank. As a light infantry tank, this tank is highly mobile, reliable and firepower capable of engaging enemy staging areas and fortifications.

It would be used with infantry, like the British tank tactics used at the time (the British divided their tanks into speed-based "cruiser" types and fire-based "infantry" tanks).

The Panzer 1 design was developed by Japanese engineers, but soon proved too heavy for its intended "light tank" role. Furthermore, engine problems creeped into the arrangement, forcing another solution. So the engineers turned their attention to the British Vickers Medium C light tank, which was only recently purchased by Imperial Japan in limited quantities. The design was intensively researched and its best assets were incorporated into a new Japanese design to meet the needs of the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA). The system was formally evaluated in 1929, and a procurement contract was concluded.

The resulting tank became the Type 89 "Chi-Ro", the numerical name "89" from the Japanese calendar year "2589" - or 1929. Production started in 1931. Her weight increased to 12.8 tons and was no longer considered a light tank, but was classified as a "medium tank" by the IJA.

Chi-Ro had a traditional design and layout at the time. She was manned in cramped conditions by a crew of four and served by a commander, gunner, archer and driver. The bow gunner and driver retained their forward hull positions, while the commander and gunner resided in the forward facing transverse turrets. The engine is rear mounted, identifiable by the right rear mounted bank, as is the all-important drive sprocket. The chain idler is at the front, and the nine wheels are placed lower along the chain system.

There are no less than four track pulleys along the upper part of the track sides. The design retains the distinctive "nose up" look when stationary, which is perfect for the genre when traversing rough terrain. The turret has sloped armor for minimal ballistic protection, as well as a round commander's cupola. The main armament is centered on a 57mm main gun, and the ship carries around 100 projectiles, all of the high-explosive (HE) type.

The main armament is a pair of 6.5mm anti-infantry machine guns. One is located aft of the rear of the turret, while the other is in the bow-mounted armature. The rear-mounted machine gun was unconventional by Western standards, but common in several Japanese and Soviet tank designs of the time - it was used to protect the critical rear of the tank. Bow-mounted machine guns are common in tank designs around the world, protecting infantry from the front when the main gun proves to be formidable.

The drive was provided by a Mitsubishi gasoline engine (later diesel). The Type 89 can only travel at 15.5 mph in ideal conditions and has a range of up to 99 miles.

Once in service, a handful of operational Type 89s proved to be well suited for their intended role. So far, they have fought in selected associations and are not a direct force of the IJA per se. Considering that one of their first combat operations was in Shanghai in 1932 against China's less-equipped armed forces, the Type 89 was a remarkable achievement.

The lack of firepower in the Chinese army to stop tanks made the Type 89 excellent for infantry support. The wide open space of the Chinese countryside is also a good example of the Type 89's reliable design and strong suspension, her 57mm main gun is up to the day's challenges, and her armor protection even against enemy 37mm anti-tank shells enough.

The Type 89 was officially adopted by the IJA in 1933, in which at least three full regiments were formed.

In 1934, a new 115 hp Mitsubishi diesel engine was introduced on the Type 89 line, requiring the assignment of the distinguishing designations "Type 89A" and "Type 89B", the latter being the diesel powered type. Diesel engines were better suited for resource-starved Japanese and were more efficient in certain combat environments. In addition to the engine upgrades, the Type 89's armor plates have been redesigned to provide better inherent ballistic protection, and a new shroud has been installed on the 57mm gun for improved protection.

The commander's position was fitted with a new, more efficient soaring hatch arrangement, and the machine gun muzzles were further protected.

Japanese troops swept across China in 1937 and continued to prove themselves against lesser enemies. Its weakness did not become apparent until 1939, when the tank confronted Soviet troops on the Mongolian border.

The Japanese offensive was completely repelled, eventually forcing a loose truce on both sides. These actions indicated the need to upgrade the Type 89 with a completely new model, and further work inevitably led to the development and production of its successor, the Type 97.

Regardless, the Type 89 is still available in abundance and has seen action in future Pacific campaigns involving the Philippines and much of Southeast Asia (Burma and Malaya). Surprisingly, as it excelled in field operations, it was also successful in tight jungle environments, continuing the IJA's stellar winning streak.

As the IJA front eased, the Type 89 found a second wind as a fixed defense weapon to secure key positions - its 57mm main gun remained a good choice against enemy infantry concentrations and soft fortifications. However, as a main battle tank, it was considered completely obsolete in 1942 and its replacement came online.

As the US entered WWII following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the Type 89 would begin early combat with better armored and armed American medium tanks, especially the M4 Sherman. Also, compared to the Chinese infantry, the American infantry has powerful anti-tank weapons that can penetrate the Type 89's armor with relative ease.

At this point, its days as a front-line tank were officially over, although this type of tank did not appear until 1944.

The Type 89 was a key battlefield operator during the early stages of Japan's transpacific expansion. Her limited creative freedom coupled with emerging battlefield technologies around the world ultimately put her at risk, but she kept fighting where she needed to.

The Empire of Japan finally surrendered in August 1945 and formally surrendered the following month, ending its era of experience. Ultimately, Imperial Japan will never be considered the top tank designer or manufacturer of the war, as it will not and never will match the development and wartime production of its contemporaries - especially its production in the region Development and wartime production of the main adversary, the United States.

Specification

Basic

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Performance

Armor

100 x 57 mm projectile.

2,745x6.5mm ammo.

Changes