The 14th Tank Regiment was the light tank regiment, equipped with Type 95 Light Tanks. For this operation, Japan prepared three tank regiments, of which the 1st and 6th Regiment were equipped with Type 97 Medium tanks, the latest model of Japanese tanks. Japan planned to go down along the Malaya Peninisula and attack Singapore from behind. Japan was totally defeated in the battle of Nomonhan.Īs soon as the Pacific War began, Japanese forces landed in the Malaya Peninsula. Yasuoka tank group had lost its tanks by 40% in 10 days' battle and was ordered to withdraw.Īfter that, Soviet took the offensive with large forces and routed Japanese from Nomonhan. By the other hand, the short-barreled gun of Japanese tanks was effective againt Soviet tanks only within a short distance. The 45mm gun of Soviet tanks could easily penetrate a thin armor of Japanese tanks at a long distance. In Nomonhan, Japan first experienced the battle of tank vs. This battle is called as the Nomonhan Incident in Japan. Japan sent a tank group, commanded by Major General Yasuoka, which had two tank regiments, 3rd and 4th Tank Regiment. In 1939, a conflict expanded a battle and both countries deployed large forces including tanks and airplanes along the Khalkhin river in the north of Manchuria. The Japanese were too small to besiege the large Chinese forces.Īfter Manchukuo was established, conflicts between the Japanese and the Soviet frequently happened in the border of Munchuria. Japan could win the fierce battle of Hsuchou, but the most of the Chinese troops escaped from the siege and Chinese forces were not annihilated. The 5th Tank Battalion was used to support the infantry division. The 1st and 2nd Tank Battalions were ordered to advance to the westen flank of Hsuchou and to prevent the Chinese forces from withdrawing westward. The North-China Expeditionary Army had 4 divisions and the Central-China Expeditionary Army had 3 divisions. Japan intended a siege against Hsuchou and deployed the North-China Expeditionary Army to the north and the Central-China Expeditionary Army to the south.

24 Type 89 Medium Tanks, 8 Type 94 Tankettesģ2 Type 89 Medium Tanks, 15 Type 94 Tankettesīy the pressure of the Japanese forces, more than sixty Chinese divisions were gathering around Hsuchou.

First tank battles