Type 91 10 cm howitzer

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	Weapon: Type 91 10 cm howitzer Type: Howitzer Country of Origin: Japan Caliber: 105 x 243mm R Action: Breech-Loading Cannon

The Type 91 10 cm Howitzer was developed by the Imperial Japanese Army in the early 1930s as a medium artillery piece intended for field use. Featuring a 105 mm caliber (referred to as 10 cm by Japanese convention), the Type 91 had a maximum firing range of approximately 10,000 meters. Its design included a split-trail carriage for greater stability during firing, as well as a recoil system that allowed for smoother operation and quicker repositioning, which was especially advantageous for Japanese forces during mobile campaigns.

Production of the Type 91 began in 1931, and it continued through the 1940s, with an estimated 1,000 units manufactured. The howitzer was extensively used in Japan's campaigns across Asia, including in China and the Pacific islands during World War II, where it provided essential artillery support for infantry operations. Its moderate weight and design made it easier to transport compared to heavier artillery, allowing it to be deployed in various types of terrain, from open fields to rugged island battlegrounds.

The Type 91 10 cm Howitzer gained notoriety for its reliability and effectiveness in providing sustained indirect fire support. Although it lacked the range of larger artillery pieces, it was respected for its role in supplementing Japanese ground forces, particularly in entrenched positions and defensive operations. Today, surviving examples of the Type 91 are preserved in military museums and serve as a reminder of Japan's artillery capabilities during World War II, illustrating the strategic importance of versatile, mobile field artillery.