Soviet tanks in japanese service

[Facu90]

Did the Japanese captured and use soviet tanks like the germans?

[Akira Takizawa]

Some T-26 Light Tanks were captured from the Chinese. In Burma, they were used by the Japanese.

Taki

[FreyFox]

I came across information that in August 1945 a group of Japanese managed to capture one T-34-85, destroying its crew. They tried to use it against Soviet troops but were hit and burned up in a tank ...

[Eugen Pinak]

Did the Japanese captured and use soviet tanks like the germans?

They captured Soviet T-26 tanks from Chinese. And at least 1 BT-5 tank was captured at Khalkin-Gol in 1939.
As for use - I don't know any details.

[Eugen Pinak]

In Burma, they were used by the Japanese.

Thank you for the information, Taki.
Do you know, how did T-26 get to Burma? With which Japanese unit? Because Chinese haven't sent T-26 to Burma with their 5th Army.

[Akira Takizawa]

The Chinese sent T-26 to Burma. Chinese 5th Army had armored unit. Sakaguchi Detachment (56th Infantry Group) destroyed it in Yunnan near Burma border. So, they would capture T-26.

Taki

[Eugen Pinak]

The Chinese sent T-26 to Burma. Chinese 5th Army had armored unit. Sakaguchi Detachment (56th Infantry Group) destroyed it in Yunnan near Burma border. So, they would capture T-26.

Taki

"Kangzan" book say 5th Army had no heavy trucks, so it took only Italian L-3 tankettes to Burma proper. In Yunnan situation was probably different, as it was Chinese territory.
So it was IJA Sakaguchi Detachment of the 56th Division, that used captured T-26, right?

[Akira Takizawa]

56th Field Gun Regiment of 56th Division used T-26.

Taki

[Eugen Pinak]

56th Field Gun Regiment of 56th Division used T-26.

Taki

Thank you very much! Even the photo of those tanks survived war.