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| IJA 14th Area Army 2nd Tank Division 1st or 2nd Independent Tank Company  U.S. Army Dec 22, 1944 |
Tank History Delivered to the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) as Type 95 Ha Go Light Tank manufacture number unknown. This tank was transported by ship from Japan to Manchuria. Wartime History Assigned to the 2nd Tank Division. This tank was transported by ship from Manchuria to Luzon in the Philippines to join the 14th Area Army. During late 1944, assigned to the 1st Independent Tank Company under Captain Uchida or 2nd Independent Tank Company under Captain Kurobe drawn from the 6th Tank Regiment and 10th Tank Regiments. In early August 1944, transported by ship from Luzon to Leyte and landed at Ormoc as one of twenty Type 95 Ha Go tanks landed as reinforcements attached to the 1st Division. The tanks were used as tractors to tow artillery and their ammunition from Ormoc via the Ormoc-Limon Road (Highway 2) to Limon. Afterwards, the tanks supported the infantry defending the Ormoc Valley and road. On December 22, 1944 north of Lonoy on the Ormoc-Limon Road (Highway 2), this tank and Type 95 Ha Go (Lonoy No. 2) attempted to engage the leading U.S. Army M4 Sherman tank from 44th Tank Battalion supporting the advance of the 32nd Infantry Division, 127th Infantry Regiment. Both tanks was destroyed by a main gun 75mm hit on the center of the hull that stopped the tank in the road and blocked the M4 Shermans. Wreckage While the tank was still smoldering and smoking, a bulldozer from service company was called forward and despite sniper fire pushed the tank over the side of the hill to clear the road and allowed the advance to continue. Ultimate fate unknown likely scrapped or otherwise disappeared. References History of the 127th Infantry Regiment, Wisconsin National Guard in World War II (1946) page Leyte 15 "The four tanks of the 44th Tank Battalion working on the road are to be commended. They worked aggressively and knocked out all pockets of resistance encountered. Assisted by the infantry, 11 tanks and two gun carriers were knocked out. Shortly after the attack started, the leading tank was rushed by a Jap tank [this tank]. Or tank opened fire and destroyed the Jap tank, but this enemy tank blocked further advance of our tanks, because it could not be bypassed The Service Company bulldozer was called upon. The bulldozer cam forward, the driver being very anxious to get his chance at the enemy. He moved in front of our tanks, and disregarding enemy sniper fire, pushed the Jap tank [this tank] over the side of the hill. He then allowed our first two tanks to pass him and joined the column down the road." Taki's Home Page - The History of Battles of Imperial Japanese Tanks - May to June, 1944 Biak Thanks to Taki Takizawa and Tony Feredo for additional information Contribute
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 Type 95  Map December 1944 Lonoy  Photo Archive |
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