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| IJA 4th South Sea Garrison Unit 38th Independent Mixed Brigade  Australian Army May 24, 1945  William Bartsch 1975  Josh McDade 1999  Yoji Sakaida 2005  Justin Taylan 2005 |
Tank History Built by Mitsubishi built between 1931-1939. Delivered to the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) as Type 89B Otsu I-Go serial number unknown. This tank has a rear trench tail. Wartime History Assigned to the 4th South Sea Garrison Unit formed at Wakayama on June 26, 1943. This tank was transported from Japan via Truk to Rabaul then loaded aboard the Bunsan Maru as one of four tanks unloaded at Tarlena on northwest Bougainville in September 1943. After the American landing at Torokina on November 1, 1943 the tanks were carefully concealed. In July 1944, the tanks were assigned to the 38th Independent Mixed Brigade. In early March 1945 then attempted to move them along the north coast road. On March 3, 1945 at 10:50am two RNZAF F4U Corsairs from No. 18 Squadron patrolling over Ruri Bay spotted a pair of Japanese tanks. Without bombs, the pair strafed the tanks, and reported them, returning with another F4U to drop 1,000 lbs bombs, and discovered a third tank. Later in the day, seven more aircraft from Piva bombed the tanks and left one on fire, and strafed the third tank which had not moved. It was hit and its ammunition exploded, 'completely wrecking it'. On March 4, 1945 in the morning, the tanks in the jungle had been moved. In the late afternoon, one of them was discovered heavily camouflaged under trees by a RAAF Boomerang on a reconnaissance mission. As soon as it was reported, three F4U Corsairs from No. 18 Squadron each arned with bombs took off to attak the tank and it was dark when they reached the area and the arned pilot marked the target with tracer fire. On March 5, 1945 in the morning the last tank was attacked by nine Corsairs from No. 18 Squadron. Two of the bombs were almost direct hits and blew off the tank's turret and two doors. In fact, only one tank was lost in the attacks, likely Type 89B I-Go (No. 2) further north, Possibly this tank was dug in as a fixed position. Abandoned during May 1945 when the unit withdrew to Numa Numa. Wreckage This tank is located on the west side of the north coast road to the west of Ruri Bay. The main gun has been missing since at least 1975. References Official History Royal New Zealand Air Force, pages 299-300 (Destruction of Japanese Tanks Near Ruri Bay) Senshi Sosho Vol. 58, Page 164-165 Royal New Zealand Air Force - Northern Bougainville pages 299-300 After The Battle Issue 147 "The Japanese Tanks of Bougainville" by Justin Taylan Thanks to Akira “Taki” Takizawa for additional information Contribute
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