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The Type 94 tankette ((日本語:九四式軽装甲車 ), ''Kyūyon-shiki keisōkōsha'', literally "94 type light armored car", also known as TK that is abbreviation of "Tokushu Keninsha" that means special tractor〔Steven Zaloga, ''Japanese Tanks 1939-45'', Osprey Publishing, 2007, () (p. 7.).〕) was a tankette used by the Imperial Japanese Army in the Second Sino-Japanese War, at Nomonhan against the Soviet Union, and in World War II. Although tankettes were often used as ammunition tractors, and general infantry support, they were designed for reconnaissance, and not for direct combat.〔Coox, p. 154 & 157〕 The lightweight Type 94 proved effective in China as the Chinese National Revolutionary Army consisted of only three tank battalions to oppose them, and those tank battalions only consisted of some British export models and Italian CV-33 tankettes.〔Zaloga (Japanese Tanks) p. 12〕 As with nearly all tankettes built in the 1920s and 1930s, they had thin armor that could be penetrated by .50 caliber machine gun fire at 600 yards range.〔() Report on Type 92 from September 1945 issue of ''Intelligence Bulletin''〕 ==History and development== A tankette fad occurred in Europe in the 1930s, which was led by United Kingdom's Carden-Loyd Mk VI tankette.〔Zaloga (Japanese Tanks) p. 7〕 The IJA ordered some samples from the UK, along with some French vehicles and field tested them.〔 The IJA determined that the British and French machines were too small to be practical, and started planning for a larger version, the ''Tokushu Keninsha'' (meaning "Special Tractor"). It was reclassified as the Type 94 (tankette) and was designed for reconnaissance,〔Coox p. 154, 157〕 but could also be used for supporting infantry attacks and transporting supplies.〔Zaloga (Japanese Tanks) p. 8〕 The Imperial Japanese Army also experimented with a variety of armored cars with limited success. The wheeled armored cars were not suitable for most operations in the puppet state of Manchukuo, due to the poor road conditions and severe winter climate.〔(Taki's Imperial Japanese Army )〕 From the early 1920s, the Imperial Japanese Army tested a variety of European light tanks, including six Carden-Loyd Mark VIbs machine gun carriers and several Renault FTs, and a decision was reached in 1929 to proceed with the domestic development of a new vehicle based largely on the Carden Loyd design to address the deficiencies of wheeled armored cars.〔Foss. Tanks:The 500. pp.220〕 The initial attempt resulted in the Type 92 Jyu-Sokosha for use by the cavalry. However, Japanese infantry commanders felt that a similar vehicle would be useful as the support vehicle for transport, scout and communications within the infantry divisions, and could be used as a sort of “flying company” to provide additional firepower and close support in infantry operations. The development was given to Tokyo Gas and Electric Industry (later known as Hino Motors) in 1933, and an experimental model was completed in 1934. It was a small light tracked vehicle with a turret armed with one machine gun. For cargo transportation it pulled an ammunition trailer. It was given the name ''Tokushu Keninsha'' ("Special Tractor"), abridged to “TK”. After trials in both Manchukuo and Japan, the design was standardized as the Type 94 tankette. It entered service in 1935. The Type 94 was later superseded by the Type 97 tankette. Oddly, many British and American sources have confused the Type 92 ''Cavalry Tank'', of which only 167 were built〔Zaloga (Japanese Tanks) p. 10〕 with the Type 94, although the Type 94 was the model almost always encountered in the various fronts of the Pacific War.〔Foss. The Great Book of Tanks. Pp.106〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Type 94 tankette」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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