PMI0194A TYPE 4 HO-RO

The Type 4 Ho-Ro is a Japanese tracked self-propelled gun from the Second World War. A small production batch of 12-13 cars was produced in 1944. The length of the vehicle was 5.52 meters with a width of 2.33 meters. The drive was provided by a single Mitsubishi Type 100 engine with 170 HP. The armament consisted of the 150 mm Type 38 howitzer. The inspiration for the Ho-Ro car was probably the German Grille self-propelled gun, and the main task of the new vehicle was to support its own units with indirect fire - both in attack and defense. The vehicle was manufactured at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. In order to shorten the design process, it was decided to use the chassis and the hull of the already produced Type 97 Chi-Ha tank and install the 150 mm howitzer in a stationary and partially exposed casemate on it. The disadvantage was that the angle of the barrel was significantly reduced, which led to a reduction of the range to only 6,000 meters. Also, the rate of fire of the weapon was not stunning and it was up to 5 shots per minute. Type 4 Ho-Ro self-propelled guns were used in combat, primarily in the Philippines in 1944-1945, and during the fighting in Okinawa in 1945.