Modified Type 97 Chi-Ha tank of the "Shinhoto" (New Turret) type, manufactured from 1942 to end-war. The larger turret, required to accommodate the slimmer (but higher muzzle velocity) 47mm gun is clearly apparent by contrast with the earlier type. The crew complement was 4. While this was probably the best Japanese tank of the war, it was still no match for the US or Soviet tanks that opposed it. Best regards, JR. 

Type 97 Chi-Ha

Early model Type 97 Chi-Ha Japanese medium tank, of the type manufactured in the 1937-'42 period, possibly on parade, 1942-'43.  The distinctly off-centre turret with hooped radio aerial, and 57mm low velocity gun, are characteristic of this type.  In view of the inadequacies of these tanks disclosed by early clashes with US machines, later Type 97s - the Shinhoto ("New Turret") model produced from 1942 featured a larger turret, accommodating a 47mm high velocity gun.  This improved the tank's performance against armour but, overall, it remained undergunned and under-armoured by reference to its opposition.  Best regards, JR.

Japanese Type 97 tank - early model.

In 1942, four Australian POWs did the unthinkable, and tried to escape from their Japanese prisoner of war camp. The Japanese became so incensed that they ordered every POW in the Changi peninsula to sign an agreement promising not to escape. These prisoners—being Australian—promptly told the Japanese to do one.

In retaliation, the Japanese ordered every single one of them to assemble in the Selarang barracks without food or water—all fifteen thousand of them. For four days, the men were forced to stand shoulder-to-shoulder in a space only constructed to hold as few as one thousand people. After four days suffering from dysentery, malnutrition, and dehydration, the Australians relented and signed the agreement.

