The Type 1 Ho-Ni I was developed by using the existing
Type 97 chassis and engine, and replacing the
gun turret with a
75 mm Type 90 Field Gun mounted in an open
casemate with frontal and side armour only.
The Type 90 75 mm field gun was unique among Japanese artillery pieces in that it had a
muzzle brake. The carriage was of the
split trail type. The Type 90 was built in two version: one with wooden wheels suitable for animal (horse) draft, and another with solid rubber tires and a stronger
suspension for towing by motor vehicles. The latter weighed 200 kilograms (440 lb) more.[sup]
[9][/sup]
The Type 90 75 mm field gun was capable of firing
high-explosive,
armor-piercing,
shrapnel, incendiary,
smoke and
illumination shells. Its range of 15,000 metres (16,000 yd) for a weight of 1,400 kilograms (3,100 lb) compared well with its contemporaries.
The Type 90 75 mm field gun was issued primarily to units based in
Manchukuo, and was rarely deployed to the
Pacific theatre of operations. Its initial use in combat was against the
Soviet Red Army at the
Battle of Nomonhan. When deployed later against
Allied forces, it was often used as an
anti-tank gun, as its high speed shells were effective against armored vehicles.[sup]
[10][/sup] It was also used at the
Battle of the Philippines,
Battle of Iwo Jima and
Battle of Okinawa, often deployed together with armored units. The Type 90 continued to be used as field artillery until the
surrender of Japan.[sup]
[11][/sup]
