As early as 1928, the Japanese Army had been developing amphibious tanks and created several experimental models such as the Sumida amphibious armored car (AMP), SR I-Go, SR II Ro-Go, SR III Ha-Go, which were produced only as one-off prototypes for concept testing in the 1930s. Each of the SR series were 3.6 to 7 tonne amphibious tanks with a 2 to 3 man crew, and armed with machine guns.[2][3]
In 1940, the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) took over development of amphibious vehicles. Mitisubishi used the knowledge gained from the SR program and the Type 95 Ha-Go light tank as a base. The Type 1 Mi–Sha a/k/a/ "Type 1 floating tank Ka-Mi" was the first IJN prototype produced.[4] The Type 1 led to the development of the Type 2 Ka-Mi being produced in 1942. The Type 2 Ka-Mi was designed for the IJN's Special Naval Landing Forces for the amphibious invasion of Pacific Islands without adequate port facilities, and for various special operations missions.[5] The Type 2 Ka-Mi tanks were organized into "several amphibious tank units".[6] Beginning in 1942, only 182 to 184 units of this tank were built.[7][1]
Designedit
The Type 2 Ka-Mi was based on the army's Type 95 Ha-Go light tank, but with an all-welded hull with rubber seals in place of the riveted armor. It was intended to be water-tight. Large, hollow pontoons made from steel plates were attached to the front glacis plate and rear decking to give the necessary buoyancy.[8] The front pontoon was internally divided into two "symmetrical sections" and each one was divided into three separate watertight compartments to minimize the effects of damage from flooding and shellfire.[9] The pontoons were attached by a system of "small clips" with a release inside the tank, to be engaged once it landed for ground combat operations.[10]
The tank was capable of attaining speeds of 10 km/h in the water with a range of 140 km through two propellers situated at the rear of the hull, powered by the tank's engine.[11] Steering was in the control of the tank commander, who operated a pair of rudders from the turret through cables. The crew included an onboard mechanic.[12] It was the "best designed amphibious tank of the war".[10]
Combat recordedit
Type 2 Ka-Mi tanks on SaipanType 2 Ka-Mi tanks without their flotation sections fitted, after capture by Australian soldiers
The Type 2 Ka-Mi came into active service after the initial campaigns of World War II, and thus for the most part was too late to be used in its original design mission of amphibious landings. Many units were assigned to detachments of the Special Naval Landing Force (SNLF) at IJN bases at Sasebo, Maizuru, Yokosuka, and Kure.[13]
The Type 2 Ka-Mi was first used in combat during the Guadalcanal campaign in late 1942. Later they were encountered by the United States Marine Corps in the Marshall Islands and Mariana Islands, particularly on Saipan, where they supported the Yokosuka Base SNLF in its failed amphibious operation.[14] They were used during the fighting on the Philippine island of Leyte in late 1944 when they supported the 101st SNLF at Ormoc Gulf and also used piecemeal in the fighting for Luzon.[15] According to Ralph Zumbro in his book "Tank Aces", several Ka-Mi were destroyed by US Army LVT-1s off the coast of Leyte during history's only amphibious tank vs. amphibious tank action; this is doubtful, however, as most Ka-Mi tanks were destroyed after they came ashore at Ormoc.[16] A handful more were captured by US Army troops on Luzon in 1945, as well as several others captured by Australian and Commonwealth troops.[10]
Surviving vehiclesedit
Patriot Park, Kubinka, Moscow Oblast, Russia has a Type 2 Ka-Mi on display. It is complete with its front and rear pontoons. It was formerly on display in the Kubinka Tank Museum. A near complete hull is located near the airport in Babeldaob, Palau. Another specimen is located in Koror, Palau. The latter is notable in that there is still a heavy anti-aircraft machine gun mounted on the rear pontoon. These two tanks were once located in the center of Babeldaop Island in the late 1980s. They had actually been buried by the Japanese either to keep them out of American hands after their surrender, or as defensive fortifications. After the war they were unearthed by locals. They were subsequently moved, one to the Old Communications center south of the airport, and one to Koror as part of war memorial displays. The list below includes ones mentioned and others that have survived in one form or another.
type, special, type, launch, 特二式内火艇, カミ, toku, shiki, uchibitei, kami, first, amphibious, tank, imperial, japanese, navy, based, imperial, japanese, army, type, light, tank, with, major, modifications, first, combat, service, during, guadalcanal, campaign, lat. The Special Type 2 Launch Ka Mi 特二式内火艇 カミ Toku ni shiki uchibitei kami was the first amphibious tank of the Imperial Japanese Navy IJN The Type 2 Ka Mi was based on the Imperial Japanese Army s Type 95 Ha Go light tank with major modifications It first saw combat service during the Guadalcanal campaign in late 1942 Type 2 Ka MiType 2 Ka Mi with its flotation sections attached TypeAmphibious light tankPlace of originEmpire of JapanService historyUsed byImperial Japanese NavyProduction historyDesigned1941Produced1942 1943No built182 184SpecificationsMass12 3 tons 9 15 tons without flotation pontoons Length7 42 m 4 80 m without flotation pontoons Width2 79 mHeight2 34 mCrew5Armor6 12 mm frontMainarmamentType 1 37 mm tank gun 1 Secondaryarmament2x Type 97 7 7 mm machine guns 1 EngineMitsubishi A6120VDe air cooled inline 6 cylinder diesel115 hp 84 6 kW Power weight9 3 hp tonneSuspensionBell crankOperationalrange170 km land 140 km swimming Maximum speed37 km h land 10 km h swimming Contents 1 History and development 2 Design 3 Combat record 4 Surviving vehicles 5 See also 6 Notes 7 References 8 External linksHistory and development edit nbsp SR I Go experimental amphibious tank As early as 1928 the Japanese Army had been developing amphibious tanks and created several experimental models such as the Sumida amphibious armored car AMP SR I Go SR II Ro Go SR III Ha Go which were produced only as one off prototypes for concept testing in the 1930s Each of the SR series were 3 6 to 7 tonne amphibious tanks with a 2 to 3 man crew and armed with machine guns 2 3 In 1940 the Imperial Japanese Navy IJN took over development of amphibious vehicles Mitisubishi used the knowledge gained from the SR program and the Type 95 Ha Go light tank as a base The Type 1 Mi Sha a k a Type 1 floating tank Ka Mi was the first IJN prototype produced 4 The Type 1 led to the development of the Type 2 Ka Mi being produced in 1942 The Type 2 Ka Mi was designed for the IJN s Special Naval Landing Forces for the amphibious invasion of Pacific Islands without adequate port facilities and for various special operations missions 5 The Type 2 Ka Mi tanks were organized into several amphibious tank units 6 Beginning in 1942 only 182 to 184 units of this tank were built 7 1 Design editThe Type 2 Ka Mi was based on the army s Type 95 Ha Go light tank but with an all welded hull with rubber seals in place of the riveted armor It was intended to be water tight Large hollow pontoons made from steel plates were attached to the front glacis plate and rear decking to give the necessary buoyancy 8 The front pontoon was internally divided into two symmetrical sections and each one was divided into three separate watertight compartments to minimize the effects of damage from flooding and shellfire 9 The pontoons were attached by a system of small clips with a release inside the tank to be engaged once it landed for ground combat operations 10 Its gun turret had a high velocity Type 1 37 mm gun and a coaxial Type 97 light machine gun A second Type 97 light machine gun was located in the tank s bow 1 The tank was capable of attaining speeds of 10 km h in the water with a range of 140 km through two propellers situated at the rear of the hull powered by the tank s engine 11 Steering was in the control of the tank commander who operated a pair of rudders from the turret through cables The crew included an onboard mechanic 12 It was the best designed amphibious tank of the war 10 Combat record edit nbsp Type 2 Ka Mi tanks on Saipan nbsp Type 2 Ka Mi tanks without their flotation sections fitted after capture by Australian soldiers The Type 2 Ka Mi came into active service after the initial campaigns of World War II and thus for the most part was too late to be used in its original design mission of amphibious landings Many units were assigned to detachments of the Special Naval Landing Force SNLF at IJN bases at Sasebo Maizuru Yokosuka and Kure 13 The Type 2 Ka Mi was first used in combat during the Guadalcanal campaign in late 1942 Later they were encountered by the United States Marine Corps in the Marshall Islands and Mariana Islands particularly on Saipan where they supported the Yokosuka Base SNLF in its failed amphibious operation 14 They were used during the fighting on the Philippine island of Leyte in late 1944 when they supported the 101st SNLF at Ormoc Gulf and also used piecemeal in the fighting for Luzon 15 According to Ralph Zumbro in his book Tank Aces several Ka Mi were destroyed by US Army LVT 1s off the coast of Leyte during history s only amphibious tank vs amphibious tank action this is doubtful however as most Ka Mi tanks were destroyed after they came ashore at Ormoc 16 A handful more were captured by US Army troops on Luzon in 1945 as well as several others captured by Australian and Commonwealth troops 10 Surviving vehicles editPatriot Park Kubinka Moscow Oblast Russia has a Type 2 Ka Mi on display It is complete with its front and rear pontoons It was formerly on display in the Kubinka Tank Museum A near complete hull is located near the airport in Babeldaob Palau Another specimen is located in Koror Palau The latter is notable in that there is still a heavy anti aircraft machine gun mounted on the rear pontoon These two tanks were once located in the center of Babeldaop Island in the late 1980s They had actually been buried by the Japanese either to keep them out of American hands after their surrender or as defensive fortifications After the war they were unearthed by locals They were subsequently moved one to the Old Communications center south of the airport and one to Koror as part of war memorial displays The list below includes ones mentioned and others that have survived in one form or another Patriot Park Kubinka Russia 17 Victory Park Poklonnaya Hill Russia 17 Koror Palau 17 Near Airai Village Airai Palau 17 Five tanks northeast of Camp Katuu Airai Palau one is about 3 km away 17 Private property Arakabesang Island Palau 17 Two tanks on Shumshu Kuril Islands Russia one is on the southwest coast 17 nbsp Ka Mi on Koror Island The Type 96 autocannon was likely added post war nbsp Type 2 Ka Mi in Victory Park Russia nbsp Type 2 Ka Mi in Patriot Park Russia See also editDD tank World War II British tank flotation system T 38 World War II Soviet amphibious tankNotes edit a b c d Taki s Imperial Japanese Army Type 2 Amphibious Vehicle Ka Mi Hara 1973 p 2 Tomczyk 2003 pp 3 4 Tomczyk 2003 p 4 Zaloga 2007 pp 23 27 Rottman amp Takizawa 2008 p 15 Zaloga 2007 p 17 Tomczyk 2003 p 6 Tomczyk 2003 pp 6 7 a b c Zaloga 2007 p 23 Tomczyk 2003 pp 7 32 Tomczyk 2003 p 22 Tomczyk 2003 pp 28 29 Tomczyk 2003 pp 29 30 Tomczyk 2003 p 30 Rottman amp Takizawa 2008 pp 14 15 a b c d e f g Surviving Japanese Light Tanks PDF Surviving Panzers References editFoss Christopher 2003 Great Book of Tanks The World s Most Important Tanks from World War I to the Present Day Zenith Press ISBN 0 7603 1475 6 Hara Tomio 1973 Japanese Combat Cars Light Tanks and Tankettes AFV Weapons Profile No 54 Profile Publications Limited Rottman Gordon L Takizawa Akira 2008 World War II Japanese Tank Tactics Osprey Publishing ISBN 978 1846032349 Tomczyk Andrzej 2003 Japanese Armor Vol 3 AJ Press ISBN 978 8372371287 Zaloga Steven J 2007 Japanese Tanks 1939 45 Osprey Publishing ISBN 978 1 8460 3091 8 Zumbro Ralph 1997 Tank Aces Pocket Books Simon amp Schuster ISBN 0 671 53612 5External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Type 2 Ka Mi Taki s Imperial Japanese Army Page Akira Takizawa WWII vehicles WWII Drawings Archived 2009 01 03 at the Wayback Machine Kubinka Tank Museum Archived 2009 06 04 at the Wayback Machine Ka Mi amphibious tank wreck on Koror Palau Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Type 2 Ka Mi amp oldid 1219600182, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
