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"Japanese 90-mm Mortar, Type 94" from Tactical and Technical Trends

The following U.S. intelligence report on the Japanese Type 94 90-mm mortar was originally published in Tactical and Technical Trends, No. 41, December 30, 1943.

[DISCLAIMER: The following text is taken from the U.S. War Department publication Tactical and Technical Trends. As with all wartime intelligence information, data may be incomplete or inaccurate. No attempt has been made to update or correct the text. Any views or opinions expressed do not necessarily represent those of the website.]
 

JAPANESE 90-MM MORTAR, TYPE 94

The Japanese 90-mm mortar, type 94, is a percussion-fired, smooth-bore mortar, incorporating, for a weapon of this type, a noticeably heavy and complicated recoil system.

The barrel recoils within the framework of the two recoil cylinders and the U-shaped base piece. This piece terminates in a ball for positioning in one of the three sockets of the base plate. The bipod is of normal design and incorporates twin shock absorbers similar to those used in the standard German and Italian mortars.

[Japanese 90-mm Mortar, Type 94]

a. Details

Caliber     3.56 in
Length of bore47.8 in
Length of barrel, overall 50 in
Total weight340 lb
Weight of barrel74.5 lb
Weight of bipod73 lb
Weight of baseplate88.5 lb
Weight of recoil mechanism 104 lb
Dimensions of baseplate 28.5 x 18.5 in
Traverse100

b. Ammunition

It is known that there is an incendiary bomb for this weapon. HE and smoke bombs are fired also. The general characteristics of the bombs would appear to be as follows:

Length (fuzed)     17 1/2 in
Weight11 lb 9 1/2 oz
ShapeStreamlined
No. of charges7 (primary + 6 secondary)
Weight of each secondary216 grains

c. Performance

Firing trials have not yet been carried out with the mortar which is in the possession of United Nations forces but documentary evidence indicates that the range is from 610 to 4,150 yards.

 
 


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