Type 89 155mm Howitzer

Go Back to Howitzer

Go Back To Weapons Home

	Weapon: Type 89 155mm Howitzer Type: Howitzer Country of Origin: Japan Year Adopted: 1989 Caliber: 155 mm Action: Breech-Loading Cannon Overall Length (mm): 12000.0 Weight (kg): 40000.00 Effective Range (m): 30000

The Japanese Type 89 155mm Howitzer was a medium artillery piece developed and deployed by the Imperial Japanese Army in the late 1920s and early 1930s. Designed as an improvement over earlier field guns, the Type 89 incorporated features for enhanced range and mobility. It utilized a split-trail carriage for stability and elevation during firing, and its relatively modern recoil system reduced the stress on the gun during repeated firing. The howitzer was capable of firing a 155mm shell up to 18,000 meters, making it a formidable asset for medium-range bombardment.

Production of the Type 89 began in 1929, and approximately 500 units were manufactured before and during World War II. The gun was deployed across various theaters of the Pacific War, including in China, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific islands. The Type 89 proved to be effective in static defensive positions and was used extensively in artillery bombardments to support infantry advances. However, the gun's weight and the lack of suitable mechanized transport in the Japanese forces limited its tactical mobility, particularly in rough or jungle terrain.

The Type 89 155mm Howitzer holds historical significance as a key component of Japan's artillery strategy during World War II. Despite its limitations in mobility, the gun earned a reputation for its durability and effectiveness in prepared defensive positions. It saw service in some of the most intense battles of the Pacific campaign, including on islands like Iwo Jima and Okinawa. While it was eventually outclassed by more modern artillery designs, the Type 89 exemplifies the Imperial Japanese Army's approach to medium artillery and remains an important artifact of Japan's wartime military engineering.