documentary

[geofflambert]

Interesting documentary on Japanese tanks here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=826qJ62nIGc

[mind_messing]

Japan would have been far better served in developing a half-decent portable anti-tank weapon for the infantry than throwing resources in to tanks. What was the point, when most of the Japanese tanks sent to the Pacific ended their days as fixed bunkers?

The only real theater where Japan could have taken full advantage of it's tanks was in Manchuria, but the Soviets had Japan trumped in terms of tanks.

[hubin]

Japanese tanks designs were influenced by China war expierience. They behave quite well diuring first phase of the war, but most of them were designed for close infantry support.
When you can send special attack unit there is no need of special close combat anti-tank weapon either, simple air bomb in hands of simple taro do the job.
Ill belive they were aware of their priorities, and done their best.

The bigest problem of Japan Imperial Army was logistic, around 2/3 of their deths was effect of starvation... So the bigest underinvestment was in communication and logistic organization - their conception of war was based on wrong ideas, ill belive your "better" solution is part of the same wrong way of thinking just other route.[8D]

This was war for industry capacity and resources and social dedication, they had only tjhat last part of the equation.

Nice document thanks.

[mind_messing]

When you can send special attack unit there is no need of special close combat anti-tank weapon either, simple air bomb in hands of simple taro do the job.
Ill belive they were aware of their priorities, and done their best.

You can use a port-able anti-tank weapon to take out more than one tank.

It's rather hard to do the same with a guy carrying a land-mine.

[decaro]

ORIGINAL: hubin

Japanese tanks designs were influenced by China war experience ...

... as were Japan's warplanes, but as the conflict progressed, shooting down biplanes couldn't give Japan a technological edge over China's more advanced Western Allies.

[hubin]

You can use a port-able anti-tank weapon to take out more than one tank.

You can also use multiple taro and bombs, and you gain less taro to feed. [;)]
It is some kind of twisted Imperial logic... "... death lighter than a fether..."

[dr.hal]

Having a tank carry torpedoes is an interesting combination!

[m10bob]

While playing Steel Panthers, I did a lot of research and learned the U.S.Army regularly issued AP rounds for the M1 Garand rifle.
I have no idea how many were used in the Pacific theatre, but they could punch holes in nearly any of these tanks.

The Japanese finally did attempt larger SP anti-tank vehicles later on but not enough to make a dent and no protection for the crews..