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Osprey Duel #108
USMC M4A2 Sherman vs Japanese Type 95 Ha-Go: The Central Pacific 1943–44
Drawing upon personal testimonies from veterans, official reports, and never-before published photographs, this superbly detailed title explores the duels between the USMC M4A2 and the Japanese Type 95 Ha-Go, which often proved to be epic and unique.
The different national tank doctrines of the United States and Imperial Japan resulted in a terrible mismatch of the predominant tank types in the crucial Central Pacific campaign. A flawed Japanese doctrine emphasized light infantry support tanks, often used in small numbers. Tactically, tanks were often frittered away in armored versions of the familiar banzai attacks. Meanwhile, the Americans saw the tank as an infantry support weapon, but developed a more systematic tactical doctrine. They settled upon a larger medium tank--in the case of most Marine Corps tank battalions, the diesel-powered M4A2 (unwanted by the US Army).
This superbly detailed title reveals how both the two sides' tactical and technical differences in the approach to armored warfare soon became apparent over a series of deadly engagements, from the first tank fight at the battle of Tarawa in November 1943, through to engagements on Parry Island, Saipan, and Guam, before ending with Peleliu in September 1944.
The different national tank doctrines of the United States and Imperial Japan resulted in a terrible mismatch of the predominant tank types in the crucial Central Pacific campaign. A flawed Japanese doctrine emphasized light infantry support tanks, often used in small numbers. Tactically, tanks were often frittered away in armored versions of the familiar banzai attacks. Meanwhile, the Americans saw the tank as an infantry support weapon, but developed a more systematic tactical doctrine. They settled upon a larger medium tank--in the case of most Marine Corps tank battalions, the diesel-powered M4A2 (unwanted by the US Army).
This superbly detailed title reveals how both the two sides' tactical and technical differences in the approach to armored warfare soon became apparent over a series of deadly engagements, from the first tank fight at the battle of Tarawa in November 1943, through to engagements on Parry Island, Saipan, and Guam, before ending with Peleliu in September 1944.
- GenresMilitary HistoryHistory
80 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 18, 2021
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
April 3, 2021
Now that's what I am saying! "USMC M4A2 Sherman vs Japanese Type 95 Ha-Go" was a first round hit dead on! Unlike another 'verses' Osprey book that I recently read, this one was worth every penny. There were plenty of photos, artwork, maps and fine text.
The text was of course the best part, being as I am no longer a kid. When text space is a premium, they didn't waste it on too much production histories or unit compositions. After all, what the title suggests, and the reason I bought the book, was to find out how the Type 95 stood up to the M4A2 in combat. I mean, anyone with some background knowledge of WWII or tanks will have a pretty good idea of how that would turn out, but I still want to read about it, because you just never know.
For those of you who don't know, and are curious or polite enough to read this, the Type 95 was no match for the M4A2. When the Type 95 light tank was used in China or even the jungles of southeast Asia and the Pacific at the beginning of the war, it was a valuable tool against infantry. When it faced the M4A2, its 37mm gun's shells bounced off the M4A2's armor. When the M4A2 fired its 75mm gun at the Type 95 they had to use high explosive shells because the armor piercing rounds went clean through it before exploding! The Type 95 facing a M4 was like the M4 facing a German Tiger tank in Europe. The way the Japanese did use their Type 95s is interesting.
This is a great book for history buffs.
The text was of course the best part, being as I am no longer a kid. When text space is a premium, they didn't waste it on too much production histories or unit compositions. After all, what the title suggests, and the reason I bought the book, was to find out how the Type 95 stood up to the M4A2 in combat. I mean, anyone with some background knowledge of WWII or tanks will have a pretty good idea of how that would turn out, but I still want to read about it, because you just never know.
For those of you who don't know, and are curious or polite enough to read this, the Type 95 was no match for the M4A2. When the Type 95 light tank was used in China or even the jungles of southeast Asia and the Pacific at the beginning of the war, it was a valuable tool against infantry. When it faced the M4A2, its 37mm gun's shells bounced off the M4A2's armor. When the M4A2 fired its 75mm gun at the Type 95 they had to use high explosive shells because the armor piercing rounds went clean through it before exploding! The Type 95 facing a M4 was like the M4 facing a German Tiger tank in Europe. The way the Japanese did use their Type 95s is interesting.
This is a great book for history buffs.
Displaying 1 of 1 review