Type 4 150 mm howitzer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Type 4 15 cm Howitzer |
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Type 4 15 cm Howitzer
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| Type | heavy howitzer |
| Place of origin |  Empire of Japan |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1915-1949? |
| Used by |  Imperial Japanese Army Republic of China (NRA) People's Republic of China (PLA) |
| Wars | Second Sino-Japanese War Soviet-Japanese Border Wars World War II Chinese Civil War |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Osaka Arsenal |
| Designed | 1915 |
| Manufacturer | Osaka Arsenal |
| No. built | 280 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 2,797 kilograms (6,166 lb) |
| Barrel length | 2.169 m (7 ft 1 in) L/14.6 |
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| Shell | 35.9 kilograms (79 lb) |
| Caliber | 149.1 mm (5.87 in) |
| Breech | vertical sliding |
| Recoil | hydro-pneumatic |
| Carriage | box trail |
| Elevation | -5° to +65° |
| Traverse | 6° |
| Rate of fire | 3-4 rounds/minute |
| Muzzle velocity | 410 m/s (1,345 ft/s) |
| Maximum firing range | 9,575 metres (10,471 yd) |
| Sights | Panoramic |
The Type 4 150 mm howitzer (四年式十五糎榴弾砲, Yonenshiki Jyūgosenchi Ryudanhō) was a powerful type of artillery used by the Imperial Japanese Army. It was also known as a "15-cm" gun. This large weapon was designed to fire shells in a high arc, making it useful for hitting targets behind hills or other obstacles.
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What is a Howitzer?
A howitzer is a type of cannon that shoots shells in a curved path. This is different from a regular field gun, which fires shells in a flatter path. Howitzers are great for hitting targets that are hidden from direct sight. They can also fire very heavy shells.
History of the Type 4 Howitzer
The Type 4 howitzer was first made in 1915. It was designed by the Osaka Arsenal in Japan. About 280 of these howitzers were built. They were an important part of the Japanese army's equipment for many years.
How the Type 4 Howitzer Was Used
The Type 4 howitzer was used in several major conflicts. These included the Second Sino-Japanese War and World War II. It was also used in the Soviet-Japanese Border Wars and the Chinese Civil War.
This howitzer was quite heavy, weighing about 2,797 kilograms (6,166 pounds). Because of its weight, it was designed to be moved by horses. Even though it was an older design, it continued to be used by the Japanese army until 1945. For example, Type 4 howitzers were used by the Japanese army on the island of Saipan during World War II.
The Type 4 could fire shells weighing about 35.9 kilograms (79 pounds). It could shoot these shells up to 9,575 meters (10,472 yards) away. It could fire about 3 to 4 rounds per minute.
Related Weapons
Images for kids
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A Type 4 15-cm-howitzer, China 1937
