Salvage Sailor Posted October 18, 2018 #1 Posted October 18, 2018 Aloha Everone, These are photos of a Japanese Model 95 Light Tank abandoned at Kolonia, Ponape (Phonpei), Federated States of Micronesia, after the surrender of the island garrison at the end of WWII. I came across it in 2003 while working on the island.
Salvage Sailor Posted October 18, 2018 Author #2 Posted October 18, 2018 There were several of them found lined up in formation where they had been surrendered and left by the US Navy occupation forces. In 2003 they were found covered in jungle growth and some were pulled out and fully restored to working condition.
Salvage Sailor Posted October 18, 2018 Author #3 Posted October 18, 2018 Interior Views - one of the Type 97 'tankettes' was restored by Stan Gajda and I spent an interesting day watching him drive it around Kolonia on a test run.
Bob Hudson Posted October 19, 2018 #4 Posted October 19, 2018 I'm one of those people who has never thought about tanks having much of a role in the Pacific Islands War, but those little tanks look like they travel through narrow corridors.
gwb123 Posted October 19, 2018 #5 Posted October 19, 2018 I'm one of those people who has never thought about tanks having much of a role in the Pacific Islands War, but those little tanks look like they travel through narrow corridors. One of General Wainwright's fears that weighed on him with the surrender of Corregidor was the thought of these tanks entering the tunnel system.
gwb123 Posted October 19, 2018 #6 Posted October 19, 2018 This is amazing. It would not surprise me if one or two of them had been bought for huge sums and taken back to Japan. What I like about your photos is what I am assuming to be mostly original paint. It is rare to find any WWII vehicle with original camouflage remaining.
Bugme Posted October 19, 2018 #7 Posted October 19, 2018 These things were so small, I cannot imagine the claustrophobic feeling of being in one.
Salvage Sailor Posted October 20, 2018 Author #10 Posted October 20, 2018 Thanks fellas, I always keep my eye out for Japanese equipment and fortifications as well as US cast off equipment when I'm on the bypassed 'Island Hopping' sites. I got the first taste of this in the 1970's when I came across a crashed USN torpedo bomber jammed up on the shore of a tiny islet in the Caroline islands. A week later when we pulled up to the pier of an island in the Marianas there was a Model 95 sitting on the pier. Since then I've seen many a Japanese bunker and AA gun emplacement throughout the islands.
Rod Posted October 22, 2018 #11 Posted October 22, 2018 I'm officially jealous! Thanks for sharing. My main interest is war in the Pacific. Any time you feel like posting island pics and stories I'm interested. Best, Rod
mikie Posted October 23, 2018 #12 Posted October 23, 2018 I'm one of those people who has never thought about tanks having much of a role in the Pacific Islands War, but those little tanks look like they travel through narrow corridors. My Dad was in a designated Army anti-tank company on Saipan and Okinawa. But I don't remember him saying they ever fought any Japanese tanks. I do recall him saying they fought as infantry or infantry support. Mikie
mikie Posted October 23, 2018 #13 Posted October 23, 2018 It's interesting that these things haven't rusted away by now. I'd love to see more pics and stories about what you found out there too.
gwb123 Posted December 8, 2018 #14 Posted December 8, 2018 I'd like to add to this thread. Here is a tank of many colors... another Type 95, this one parked outside of the US Army of the Pacific museum at Ft. DeRussy, Waikiki, Oahu. My photos date from sometime between 1984 and 1989. At the time I thought it was pretty impressive that it still had its "original" paint. Looking at these photos now, I wonder if these aren't various shades of US military paint. This one is missing a good part of the exhaust on the rear right side. It is also missing the rear turret mounted machine gun.
gwb123 Posted December 8, 2018 #15 Posted December 8, 2018 From: https://www.pacificwrecks.com/tank/type95-ha-go/derussy.html "Pacific Wrecks Type 95 Ha Go Light Tank Makin Tank Detachment of 3rd Special Base Force Wartime HistoryThis tank was one of three tanks of the Makin Tank Detachment of 3rd Special Base Force commanded by Lt.j.g. Seizo Ishikawa. One of the three tanks was destroyed in combat, the other two were emplaced in ravetments and abandoned without being used in combat. CaptureDuring the November 20-24 battle of Makin Island, this tank was captured by the US Army 27th Infantry Division. Later, it was transported back to Hawaii, either for technical evaluation and as a 'war prize' and later abandoned at Fort Shafter. DisplayIn the middle 1970's it was taken to Fort DeRussy / US Army Museum of Hawaii by Warren Sessler for external restoration and display outdoors. Previously, it was painted in a two tone color scheme, with 'rising sun' flag on the side of the turret. Sometime between 1993 and the present, it was repainted overall green color scheme. In 2006 it was repainted in a two tone color scheme (yellow and green). ReferencesThanks to Warren Sessler for additional information." Additional photos of the same tank from: https://www.google.com/search?q=fort+derussy+tank&client=firefox-b-1-ab&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjH38mCopHfAhXFxYMKHfx6B54Q_AUIDigB&biw=1207&bih=601#imgdii=-h-PISxDUTgJRM:&imgrc=IKuN3o1I0-by2M: https://www.tripadvisor.ie/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g60982-d154266-i102450162-US_Army_Museum_of_Hawaii-Honolulu_Oahu_Hawaii.html#102450162">This photo of US Army Museum of Hawaii is courtesy of TripAdvisor
Salvage Sailor Posted December 9, 2018 Author #16 Posted December 9, 2018 Same Type 95 Ha Go at Fort DeRussy all spiffed up after restoration in 2003 She's gone through several camo paint schemes over the decades on display outside of the U.S. Army Museum
Salvage Sailor Posted June 6, 2021 Author #17 Posted June 6, 2021 Stan Gajda and the restoration of the Pohnpei (Ponape) Japanese tanks on Pacific Wrecks Previous island discoveries on Makin, Tarawa, etc.
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