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TM-E 30-480: Handbook on Japanese Military Forces
Technical Manual, U.S. War Department, October 1, 1944
[DISCLAIMER: The following text and illustrations are taken from a WWII U.S. War Department Technical Manual. As with all wartime manuals, the text may be incomplete or inaccurate. No attempt has been made to update or correct the contents of the original technical manual. Any views or opinions expressed do not necessarily represent those of the website.]
 

Chapter IX: Weapons

Section III: Artillery

4. NAVAL WEAPONS. a. General. In all areas captured from the Japanese, naval guns have been found installed for coastal and antiaircraft defense. These weapons have been of standard naval design, and in many cases appear to have been removed complete (including turret, mounting, etc.) from the decks of ships. It is known that the Japanese have recovered the armament from beached ships and transferred them to land positions. Since they are on pedestal mounts with wide traverse, they not only are used for coastal defense but also may be brought to bear against inland targets. On the following pages are found examples of the naval guns which are most likely to be encountered. Of these weapons the model 10 (1921) 3-inch gun has been most frequently installed. In addition to those weapons described, guns of 127-mm (5 inch) and 8 inch calibers have been captured. The 127-mm guns have been found mounted in pairs in turrets which permit antiaircraft fire.

b. Model 10 (1921) 3-inch gun. (1) General description. The Japanese refer to this weapon (fig. 236) as the "8-cm, 40 caliber, high angle gun." Actual measurement shows it to be 76.2-mm (3 inch). A dual purpose piece on a pedestal mount, it is used for antiaircraft as well as coastal defense. To compensate for muzzle preponderance, an equiliberator is mounted in the pedestal. The recoil system is hydropneumatic, and the breechblock is the sliding wedge type. A noticeable feature is the unusually long recoil cylinder on the top of the tube.

[Figure 236. Model 10 (1921) 3-inch gun.]
Figure 236. Model 10 (1921) 3-inch gun.

(2) Characteristics.

Caliber       76.2-mm (3 inches).
Maximum vertical range26,000 feet.
Maximum elevation+75°.
Maximum depression-5°.
Maximum traverse360°.
Muzzle velocity2,240 feet per second.
SightComputing type.
Tube length10 feet 8 1/2 inches.
Rate of fire10 to 12 rounds per minute.
Weight of HE projectile12.7 pounds.

(3) Ammunition. High explosive.

c. Model 3 (1914) 12-cm naval gun. (1) General description. Guns of this type (fig. 237) have been encountered on a number of islands in the Pacific Area. No provision has been made on the gun illustrated in figure 237 to provide for use as an antiaircraft weapon, but other weapons of this caliber allegedly are mounted for such purposes. It has a hydropneumatic recoil system and an interrupted thread breechblock.

[Figure 237. Model 3 (1914) 12-cm naval gun.]
Figure 237. Model 3 (1914) 12-cm naval gun.

(2) Characteristics.

Caliber       120-mm (4.72 inch).
Length of tube17 feet 8 inches.
Muzzle velocity2,700 feet per second.
Maximum elevation+55°.
Maximum depression-5°.
Maximum traverse360°.
Maximum range16,000 meters (17,500 yards).

(3) Ammunition. Separate loading high explosive with a cartridge case used for obturation.

d. Model 3 (1914) 14-cm naval gun. (1) General description. An orthodox type of naval gun and pedestal mount (fig. 238) which has been used as a coastal defense weapon. It has been found both with a shield and mounted in a hand operated turret (casemate). It has a hydropneumatic recoil system and a truncated cone, interrupted thread breechblock.

[Figure 238. Model 3 (1914) 14-cm naval gun.]
Figure 238. Model 3 (1914) 14-cm naval gun.

(2) Characteristics.

Caliber       14-cm (5.5 inch).
Length (tube and breech)23 feet 8 inches.
Muzzle velocity2,780 feet per second.
Maximum elevation+30°.
Maximum depression-7°.
Maximum traverse360°.
Maximum range17,000 meters (18,700 yards).

(3) Ammunition. Separate loading ammunition is used. The projectiles recovered were high explosive, with fuzes designed for use against vessels.

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