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. a. Details Caliber       3.56 in Length of bore 47.8 in Length of barrel, overall 50 in Total weight 340 lb Weight of barrel 74.5 lb Weight of bipod 73 lb Weight of baseplate 88.5 lb Weight of recoil mechanism 104 lb Dimensions of baseplate 28.5 x 18.5 in Traverse 100 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 Weight 11 lb 9 1/2 oz Shape Streamlined No. of charges 7 (primary + 6 secondary) Weight of each secondary 216 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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