Type 95 75 mm Field Gun

The Type 95 75 mm Field Gun (九五式野砲) was a field gun used by the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II. It was intended to replace the Type 38 75 mm Field Gun and the Type 41 75 mm Cavalry Gun in front line combat units, but due to operational and budgetary constraints, only a small number were produced, and the Type 38 and Type 41 continued to be used. The Type 95 number was designated for the year the gun was accepted, 2595 in the Japanese imperial year calendar, or 1935 in the Gregorian calendar.

History and development
Prior to World War I, the Imperial Japanese Army was largely equipped with Krupp cannons from Germany. After the Versailles Treaty, the Japanese Army switched to the French Schneider company, and developed the Type 90 75 mm Field Gun loosely based on the Schneider et Cie Canon de 85 mle 1927. However, the Schneider design was very complex and expensive to build, requiring very tight dimensional tolerances which were beyond the limits of Japanese industry to sustain at the time. Maintenance was also difficult to sustain in front line combat service. The Army Technical Bureau, following combat experience gained in the Invasion of Manchuria and the Soviet-Japanese Border Wars reverted to a simpler and more rugged design for the Type 95 field gun, which entered production in 1935. The Type 95 75-mm gun has an appearance similar to the Model 90 75-mm gun. It is derived from the Model 1933 Schneider 75, which it closely resembles. However, only a total of 261 units were produced, and the Type 38 75 mm Field Gun and the Type 41 75 mm Cavalry Gun continued to be used by front line combat units until the surrender of Japan.

Design
Although occasionally mentioned as a copy of the French Schneider et Cie Canon de 75 Mle 1933, this connection is dubious. The Type 95 essentially utilized the Model 38 (improved) weapon with sliding-wedge type breechblock and hydropneumatic recoil mechanism on the split trail carriage used on the Type 90. This hybrid design addressed the issue of the heavy weight of the Type 90, which had created problems with field commanders, as well as the need for a simpler, more rugged design that could be transported by a team of six horses. As with the Type 90, the Type 95 was built in two versions: one with wooden wheels suitable for animal draft, and another with solid rubber tires and a beefed-up suspension for towing by motor vehicle.

Since it weighs only 400 pounds more than the Model 41 cavalry gun, it is possible that the Model 95 may be intended to replace that weapon. However, its use on Saipan and its close resemblance to the heavier Model 90 may indicate that the latter weapon is too heavy for efficient horse-draft, and too complex for the capabilities of Japanese industry. Though the Model 95 is split-trailed, it weighs actually less than the improved Model 38 75-mm gun. The Model 95 is much lighter than its Schneider prototype, and has a sliding wedge rather than an interrupted thread breechblock. It incorporates all features of modern Japanese design.

Combat record
The appearance of the Type 95 75 mm field gun caused considerable confusion with both Allied military intelligence and with Japanese troops. The Type 95 was inferior in technology and performance to its predecessor,with less range and lower muzzle velocity. Although cheaper to build and to maintain, and less in weight, it was not well received by field commanders. It was primarily assigned to units in China.