Type 38 12 cm howitzer
{{Infobox weapon
| name = Japanese Type 38 12 cm howitzer
| image = Sadamisaki-no4-Battery.jpg
| image_size = 300
| caption = Type 38 120mm Howitzer of the 4th Battery at Geiyo Fortress in Ehime Prefecture.
| origin =Empire of Japan
| type =Howitzer
| is_ranged = yes
| is_bladed =
| is_explosive =
| is_artillery = yes
| is_vehicle =
| is_missile =
| is_UK =
| service =1905–1945?
| used_by = Imperial Japanese Army
| wars = World War I
Second Sino-Japanese War
World War II
| designer =
| design_date =
| manufacturer =
| unit_cost =
| production_date =
| variants =
| spec_label =
| weight = Travel: {{convert|4771|lb|kg|abbr=on|disp=flip}}
Firing: {{convert|2770|lb|kg|abbr=on|disp=flip}}
| length = Travel: {{convert|16|ft|1|in|m|abbr=on|disp=flip}}
Firing: {{convert|12|ft|4|in|m|abbr=on|disp=flip}}{{Cite book|title=Japanese Field Artillery|publisher=US War Department. Military Intelligence Division.|year=1944|pages=77|oclc=6337065}}
| part_length = {{convert|1.32|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| width = {{convert|4|ft|10|in|abbr=on|disp=flip}}
| height = {{convert|5|ft|11|in|abbr=on|disp=flip}}
| diameter =
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| passengers =
| cartridge =
| cartridge_weight =
| caliber = {{convert|120|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}
| barrels =
| action =
| rate =
| velocity = {{convert|276|m/s|ft/s|abbr=on}}
| range =
| max_range = {{convert|5.6|km|mi|abbr=on}}
| feed =
| sights =
| breech = Interrupted screw
| recoil = Hydro-spring
| carriage = Box trail
| elevation = -5° to +43°
| traverse = -2° to +2°
}}
The Type 38 12 cm howitzer (1905) is an obsolete Japanese field piece used by the Imperial Japanese Army during World War I, Second Sino-Japanese War, and World War II. The Type 38 designation was given to this gun as it was accepted in the 38th year of Emperor Meiji's reign (1905). It was encountered by Allied forces for the first time on Iwo Jima, and it may have been used as an emergency or substitute weapon.War Department Special Series No 25 Japanese Field Artillery October 1944
Description
It is characterized by a very short barrel, box trail, and large wooden wheels. It has an interrupted screw breech block and Hydro-spring recoil-mechanism. No gun shield is used with this weapon.{{cite web|url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/75114683/Bulletin-No-152-45-Japanese-Artillery-Weapons|title=Japanese Artillery Weapons, CINPAC-CINPOA Bulletin 152 45|date= 1 July 1945|publisher=US War Department}}
Elevating and traversing hand wheels, and panoramic sight are at the left of the breech. The firing mechanism is a lanyard actuated percussion type.
Armor-piercing, Armor-piercing High Explosive, HEAT, and Shrapnel shells have been recovered. The projectiles have the usual color markings and are similar in appearance to 75mm APHE and shrapnel shells. The APHE shell weighs {{convert|44|lb|kg|abbr=on|disp=flip}} while the shrapnel shell contains 300 lead balls.
Gallery
Jap typ 38 12 cm haubitze marine.jpg|Naval Type 38 12-cm-howitzer, Shanghai 1932
Jap typ 38 12 cm haubitze marine 2.jpg|Naval Type 38 12-cm-howitzer with high firing angle, Shanghai 1932
References
=Notes=
{{Reflist}}
=Bibliography=
- US War Department Japanese Artillery Weapons, CINPAC-CINPOA Bulletin 152 45" 1 July 1945
- War Department Special Series No 25 Japanese Field Artillery October 1944
External links
{{Commons category-inline|Type 38 12 cm Howitzer}}
{{Imperial Japanese Army artillery}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}