Japanese 240mm Howitzer Type 45 (1912)
Technical Information

Background
The Japanese 240mm (24cm) Howitzer Type 45 (1912) / 四五式二十四糎榴弾砲 / Yongo-shiki Nijyūyon-senchi Ryūdanhō was designed and built in Japan for use by the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) as a siege gun. Designated the Type 45 as it was accepted in 1912, the 45th year of Emperor Meiji's reign. This heavy weapon could be disassembled and transported in ten vehicles but reassembly required a crane to raise the gun barrel onto the platform and could not be moved aside from elevation and traverse adjustments. The gun could fire high explosive or armor piercing shells. The barrel was lowered into the horizontal position for reloading and the breech was an interrupted screw design.

Wartime History
During World War I, used during the Siege of Tsingtao against German defenses at Tsingtao (Qingdao). Afterwards, using these guns were impractical during the Second Sino-Japanese War as Chinese forces rarely had heavily fortifications. During the Pacific War used against Hong Kong.

During 1942, ten 240mm Howitzers (eight Type 45 and two Type 96 24cm howitzers) were transported to Luzon and used during the Battle of Bataan. The U.S. Army estimated the 240mm guns fired 1,047 shells at positions on Bataan Peninsula and 2,915 shells at positions on Corregidor Island.

During August 1945 "Operation August Storm" 240mm Howitzers were used against the Soviet Red Army invading Manchukuo (Manchuria).

References
Japanese Field Artillery Military Intelligence Division Special Series Number 25, 15 October 1944 pages IV-V other heavy artillery (PDF page 5-6), 70 (PDF page 78), 72-73 (photos, PDF page 80-81)m 74 (PDF page 82)

Technical Details
Crew  9+ gunners, loaders
Caliber  240mm / 9.4"
Weight  38 Tons
Elevation  -2° to +65°
Traverse  240°
Muzzle Velocity  400 m/s (1,312 ft/s)
Rate of Fire  ? rpm
Shell  200 kg / 440 pounds
Maximum Horizontal Range  14 km / 8.7 miles