Japanese 280mm

[toque]

Designed by Armstrong-Whitworth.
Licenced to Italy, produced by Ansaldo.
Licenced to Japan, produced by Osaka Arsenal.
1904-05 Used at the seige of Port Arthur.
1914 Used at the seige of Tsingtao.

It appears to have existed in 3 variants: Mortaio da 280/9, Mortaio da 280/10, Mortaio da 280/11, and Obice da 280/16. (Exact calibre measurements would be appreciated if anyone has them).

Does anyone know which version was produced and used by Japan, and whether or not any were still in service during WW2?

I can find only two pictures.

280mm How.jpg (10.6 KiB) Viewed 3313 times

280mm How (2).jpg (11.55 KiB) Viewed 3313 times

[tom!]

Hi.

All my sources claim that this gun was of Krupp-design (as most contemporary japanese artillery guns). The caliber length is given as L/10,2.

These guns were used in coastal fortresses during WW1 but I have no info if they were still in service in WW2. Some sources say that they were replaced post WW1 by the Type 45 24 cm and the Type 7 30 cm howitzers which is plausible. Nevertheless it´s possible that some guns were demobilised and stockpiled to be remobilised during the 2nd Sino-Japanese War or even in the final stages of WW2 where every gun avaliable should be used for the Homeland Decisive Battle after an allied invasion in 1945/46.

Yours

tom!

[Akira Takizawa]

Japanese 28cm was copied from Italian 28cm (I don't know the detailed model). An Italian artillery officer was hired by the Japanese government and he made it in Japan.

28cm howitzer was retired in 1930s. When the Allied invasion to Japan homeland was expected in WWII, 28cm howitzer was again deployed for coastal defense. It was used at Pusan, Nagasaki, Keelung etc.

Taki

[YC Chen]

Japanese 28cm was copied from Italian 28cm (I don't know the detailed model). An Italian artillery officer was hired by the Japanese government and he made it in Japan.

28cm howitzer was retired in 1930s. When the Allied invasion to Japan homeland was expected in WWII, 28cm howitzer was again deployed for coastal defense. It was used at Pusan, Nagasaki, Keelung etc.

Taki

I have read that the Japanese 28cm was also used in China during WW2. One Chinese source even mentioned that it was outranged by Chinese 15cm sFH18 in the battle near Fenglingdu.

[Akira Takizawa]

I have read that the Japanese 28cm was also used in China during WW2. One Chinese source even mentioned that it was outranged by Chinese 15cm sFH18 in the battle near Fenglingdu.

Yes. 2 28cm were used there. Probably, it is only one example that 28cm was used in Sino-Japanese war.

http://shanxi.nekoyamada.com/?p=158

In the Pacific war, 28cm existed on Okinawa. But, it is unknown whether it was actually used for bombardment against the Americans.

In Manchuria, 28cm existed at fortress at Soviet border. But, it is also unknown whether they were used when the Soviets invaded Manchuria.

Taki

[YC Chen]

I remember a Russian member of this forum once posted a link to a Russian webpage showing photos of Japanese 280mm captured by Soviet in Manchuria was moved to Russian cities in the Far East as memorials, but I can't find the post now(I thought it was in the thread on Koto Fortress but it seems that my memory is wrong ).

[ALVF]

Hello,

Some parts of the 28 cm Japanese mortars were ordered in France:

In 1887 year, "Aciéries de Saint-Etienne" had an order from Japan for series of forging and hoops for "obusier Japonais de 28 cm (Type Italien)" for 10 mortars.
The same year, "Schneider Le Creusot" works had orders from Japan for forging and hoops for 30 Japanese mortars of 28 cm of "Modèle Italien".
The "Aciéries de Saint-Etienne" had also for same components an order for 20 Japanese mortars of 24 cm.
Nota: in these 1886-1894 years, French works of Le Creusot, Saint-Etienne, FCM, Firminy (Holtzer) had also many orders from Japan for 12 cm, 24 cm, 27 cm and 32 cm guns and 12 cm, 24 cm, 27 cm, 32 cm shells.
Yours sincerely,
Guy François.

[ain92]

I remember a Russian member of this forum once posted a link to a Russian webpage showing photos of Japanese 280mm captured by Soviet in Manchuria was moved to Russian cities in the Far East as memorials, but I can't find the post now(I thought it was in the thread on Koto Fortress but it seems that my memory is wrong ).

Hello all.
I'm not that member but I made a little research and found some info.

According to the document one can see above 81st Separate Machinegun Battalion of 105th Fortified Region captured four 270-mm (sic erat scriptum) mortars with ammunition at a defensive post around 879-meter and 804-meter high grounds located several kilometers SE of modern Suifenhe. Unfortunately for unknown reason (IMHO, it's very uncommon) the date of the achievement wasn't indicated in this gratuity composed on 24 August 1945. Photos below (sorry, I don't know the source) probably were made in the place of capture.





Later such a 280-mm mortar was installed in Naval Officers' House Park inside the base of Amur Military Flotillia in Khabarovsk. It was scrapped in late 1970s. One may found its photos at http://habarnew.livejournal.com/3509.html.

According to http://ost-front.ru/2012/12/19/280 two replicas were made for The Battle of Port Arthur (203 kochi) movie (a still frame above). One is exhibited at the Matsuyama Ropeway Terminal, another is rusting somewhere near Tochigi.

[YC Chen]

Wonderful photos, thanks a million!!

Too bad that these lovely artillery pieces were scrapped, but perhaps this is the fate that awaits most of old guns...

[forttravel]

Once again first picture from this topic but in better quality. And more other pictures from net.

[searay]

The US coastal artillery survey in 1945 found 91 of the 28cm 1890 howitzer and 4 of the 30cm Type 7 Mod 1918 howitzer. Some were in training roles, but many were in army coastal defense positions. Here's a few photos.

[forttravel]

It is also possible to buy a plastic model 1/72 of this gun, interesting drawings attached on assembly instruction.

[forttravel]

Two more pictures, one in color, both from Port Arthur siege.

[Black gunner]

Well,guys!
But what about the photos, I've put here?

page40-1090-full.jpg (75.46 KiB) Viewed 2548 times

page40-1089-full.jpg (85.05 KiB) Viewed 2548 times

[YC Chen]

They are believed to be a 280mm howitzer captured by Imperial German force in Tsingtau in 1914, but I would also like to know more information.