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{{Infobox Weapon
#REDIRECT [[320 mm Type 98 mortar]]
|name= Type 98 320 mm mortar
|image= [[File:Type98 320mm mortar IJA.jpg]] |caption= A 320 mm mortar shell (minus warhead) captured during the [[Battle of Iwo Jima]]
|origin= {{Flag|Empire of Japan}}
|type= Mortar <!-- Type selection -->
|is_ranged= Yes
|is_bladed=
|is_explosive= Yes
|is_artillery= Yes
|is_vehicle=
|is_missile= |is_UK= <!-- Service history -->
|service=
|used_by= Japan |wars= World War II
<!-- Production history -->
|designer=
|design_date=
|manufacturer=
|unit_cost=
|production_date=
|number=
|variants=
<!-- General specifications -->
|spec_label=
|weight= 675 lbs (projectile)
|length=
|part_length=
|width=
|height=
|diameter=
|crew=
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->
|cartridge=
|caliber=
|barrels=
|action=
|rate=
|velocity=
|range=
|max_range=
|feed=
|sights=
<!-- Artillery specifications -->
|breech=
|recoil=
|carriage=
|elevation=
|traverse=
<!-- Explosive specifications -->
|filling=
|filling_weight=
|detonation=
|yield=
}}

The '''320 mm Type 98 mortar''' (Kyūhachi-shiki-kyūhō = Type 98 mortar), known by the nickname "Ghost rockets", was an [[artillery]] weapon used by the [[Japan]]ese military during [[World War II]], especially during the [[Battle of Iwo Jima]].<ref name=Gov>CLOSING IN: Marines in the Seizure of Iwo Jima</ref>
=Specifications==
The launchers consisted of a steel tube closed at one end by a steel baseplate, resting on a wooden platform. The {{convert|675|lb|adj=on}}, {{convert|5|ft|m|adj=mid|-long}}, {{convert|13|in|mm|adj=mid|-wide}} shells fit around and on top of the tube, instead of being dropped inside, comprising a type of [[spigot mortar]]. The range of each shot was adjusted by adding different size powder charges at the base of the round. The barrels could only handle five or six shots apiece before becoming damaged and unusable. When used in large groups, as was often done, it produced a fearsome effect known as "the screaming Jesus" to [[USMC|U.S. Marines]].<ref name=Gov/> To absorb the massive recoil caused by firing their projectiles, the mortar tubes were almost always placed up against a mound of dirt.<ref name=Journal>Journal of the United States Artillery (1919:148)</ref>

==Use==
During World War II, the [[Japanese Imperial Army]] deployed somewhere between 12 and 24 320&nbsp;mm mortars on [[Iwo Jima]], as well as 24 on [[Bataan]].<ref name=mil>The High Cost of Faulty Intel</ref><ref name=army>Chapter IV: Where Is The Enemy</ref> The weapon was also used on [[Okinawa]].<ref name=CGSC>Japanese Antitank Tactics</ref>

===Iwo Jima===
Japanese officers believed the 320&nbsp;mm spigot mortar's most effective method of employment was as a psychological weapon, intended to scare American soldiers more than inflict casualties.<ref name=CGSC/> The {{convert|675|lb|kg|adj=on}} shells left craters {{convert|8|ft|m}} deep and {{convert|15|ft|m}} wide, but caused relatively few casualties due to minimal [[Fragmentation (weaponry)|fragmentation]].<ref name=CGSC/> The mortars were mainly operated by the 20th Independent Mortar Battalion.<ref name=Gov/>

During the Iwo Jima campaign, many of the 12 to 24 launchers were placed inside the mouths of caves to protect them from American artillery bombardment, requiring the gun crews to live in the caves that housed their guns, like the infantry.<ref name=CGSC/> Due to the relative difficulty<ref name=Journal/> involved in moving such a massive weapon system, their locations usually remained fixed during battles. During the campaign, the object of the gun crews seemed to be mainly to inflict [[psychological warfare|psychological damage]] on the American troops instead of killing them.<ref name=Hyper>HyperWar: Iwo Jima: Amphibious Epic [Chapter 4]</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

== Bibliography ==
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite web| last = Alexander | first = Joseph | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = CLOSING IN: Marines in the Seizure of Iwo Jima | work = | publisher = | date = | url = http://www.nps.gov/archive/wapa/indepth/extContent/usmc/pcn-190-003131-00/sec5.htm | format = | doi = | accessdate = 2008-12-22| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20090124122713/http://www.nps.gov/archive/wapa/indepth/extContent/usmc/pcn-190-003131-00/sec5.htm| archivedate= 24 January 2009 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}

*{{cite book| last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Journal of the United States Artillery | publisher = United States Coast Artillery Training Center, Fort Monroe, VA | date = 1919 | location = | pages = 460 | url = http://books.google.com/books?id=-rF6TCpziZkC | doi = | id = | isbn = }}

*{{cite web| last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Japanese Antitank Tactics | work = | publisher = | date = | url = http://www-cgsc.army.mil/carl/download/csipubs/japan/japan_c3_pt3.pdf | format = | doi = | accessdate = 2008-12-22}}

*{{Cite web | url = http://www.military.com/NewContent/0,13190,NH_0205_Intel-P2,00.html | title = The High Cost of Faulty Intel -Page 2 | accessdate = 2009-01-02 | author = | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = 2005 | month = February | format = | work = | publisher = Military.com | location = | pages = 2 | language = English | doi = | archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.military.com%2FNewContent%2F0%2C13190%2CNH_0205_Intel-P2%2C00.html&date=2009-01-02 | archivedate = 2009-01-02 | quote = }}

*{{Cite web | url = http://www.history.army.mil/books/wwii/okinawa/chapter4.htm | title = Chapter IV: Where Is The Enemy | accessdate = 2009-01-02 | author = | last = Appleman | first = Roy E. | authorlink = | coauthors = James M. Burns, Russell A. Gugeler, and John Stevens | date = | year = | month = | format = | work = | publisher = CENTER OF MILITARY HISTORY, UNITED STATES ARMY | location = | pages = | language = English | doi = | archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.history.army.mil%2Fbooks%2Fwwii%2Fokinawa%2Fchapter4.htm&date=2009-01-02 | archivedate = 2009-01-02 | quote = }}

*{{Cite web| url = http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USMC/USMC-M-IwoJima/USMC-M-IwoJima-4.html | title = HyperWar: Iwo Jima: Amphibious Epic (Chapter 4) | accessdate = | author = | last = Clancy | first = Patrick | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = 1954 | month = | format = | work = | publisher = Hyper War | location = | pages = | language = | doi = | archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ibiblio.org%2Fhyperwar%2FUSMC%2FUSMC-M-IwoJima%2FUSMC-M-IwoJima-4.html&date=2009-01-03 | archivedate = 2009-01-03 | quote = }}

*{{Cite web | url = http://www.museums.org.za/cannon/newpage1.htm | title = History | accessdate = 2008-01-03 | author = | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = | month = | format = | work = | publisher = Durr International | location = | pages = | language = English | doi = | archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.museums.org.za%2Fcannon%2Fnewpage1.htm&date=2009-01-03 | archivedate = 2009-01-03 | quote = }}

{{refend}}

{{Imperial Japanese Army artillery}}

[[Category:World War II mortars]]
[[Category:Spigot mortars]]
[[Category:World War II field artillery]]
[[Category:World War II artillery of Japan|9]]
[[Category:320 mm artillery]]

[[ja:九八式臼砲]]
[[simple:Type 98 320 mm mortar]]

Revision as of 03:50, 10 February 2013

Type 98 320 mm mortar
A 320 mm mortar shell (minus warhead) captured during the Battle of Iwo Jima
TypeMortar
Place of origin Empire of Japan
Service history
Used byJapan
WarsWorld War II
Specifications
Mass675 lbs (projectile)

The 320 mm Type 98 mortar (Kyūhachi-shiki-kyūhō = Type 98 mortar), known by the nickname "Ghost rockets", was an artillery weapon used by the Japanese military during World War II, especially during the Battle of Iwo Jima.[1]

Specifications=

The launchers consisted of a steel tube closed at one end by a steel baseplate, resting on a wooden platform. The 675-pound (306 kg), 5-foot-long (1.5 m), 13-inch-wide (330 mm) shells fit around and on top of the tube, instead of being dropped inside, comprising a type of spigot mortar. The range of each shot was adjusted by adding different size powder charges at the base of the round. The barrels could only handle five or six shots apiece before becoming damaged and unusable. When used in large groups, as was often done, it produced a fearsome effect known as "the screaming Jesus" to U.S. Marines.[1] To absorb the massive recoil caused by firing their projectiles, the mortar tubes were almost always placed up against a mound of dirt.[2]

Use

During World War II, the Japanese Imperial Army deployed somewhere between 12 and 24 320 mm mortars on Iwo Jima, as well as 24 on Bataan.[3][4] The weapon was also used on Okinawa.[5]

Iwo Jima

Japanese officers believed the 320 mm spigot mortar's most effective method of employment was as a psychological weapon, intended to scare American soldiers more than inflict casualties.[5] The 675-pound (306 kg) shells left craters 8 feet (2.4 m) deep and 15 feet (4.6 m) wide, but caused relatively few casualties due to minimal fragmentation.[5] The mortars were mainly operated by the 20th Independent Mortar Battalion.[1]

During the Iwo Jima campaign, many of the 12 to 24 launchers were placed inside the mouths of caves to protect them from American artillery bombardment, requiring the gun crews to live in the caves that housed their guns, like the infantry.[5] Due to the relative difficulty[2] involved in moving such a massive weapon system, their locations usually remained fixed during battles. During the campaign, the object of the gun crews seemed to be mainly to inflict psychological damage on the American troops instead of killing them.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b c CLOSING IN: Marines in the Seizure of Iwo Jima
  2. ^ a b Journal of the United States Artillery (1919:148)
  3. ^ The High Cost of Faulty Intel
  4. ^ Chapter IV: Where Is The Enemy
  5. ^ a b c d Japanese Antitank Tactics
  6. ^ HyperWar: Iwo Jima: Amphibious Epic [Chapter 4]

Bibliography

  • Alexander, Joseph. "CLOSING IN: Marines in the Seizure of Iwo Jima". Archived from the original on 24 January 2009. Retrieved 2008-12-22. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  • "History". Durr International. Archived from the original on 2009-01-03. Retrieved 2008-01-03. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |month= and |coauthors= (help)
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