Type 38 75 mm field gun

Design and characteristics

The Type 38 used a conventional layout for early 20th-century field artillery: a single barrel of 75 mm caliber mounted on a two-wheeled carriage. It was built for mobility and simplicity so it could be horse-drawn and operated by relatively small crews. Over time many examples were maintained, repaired, or locally modified rather than fully replaced.

• Caliber: 75 mm (standard for light field artillery of the period)
• Carriage: two-wheeled trail designed for towing and emplacement
• Operation: crew-served, intended for direct and indirect fire missions

Historical context

Developed in the aftermath of the Russo-Japanese War, the Type 38 became the IJA's primary field piece as Japan reorganized and modernized its artillery arm. It reflected European influences in gun design of the era and was manufactured and modified by Japanese arsenals. Although newer designs appeared in the 1920s and 1930s, the Type 38 stayed in service because of its reliability and the logistical advantage of keeping existing stocks.

Service and roles

Deployed by the Imperial Japanese Army, the Type 38 saw long service in colonial garrisons, training units, and on secondary fronts in later conflicts. It was used for direct infantry support, coastal and fortress defense, and as a reserve battery where more modern guns were unavailable. Examples remained active during the conflicts of the 1930s and into the Second World War, often supplemented or superseded by newer models.

Notable distinctions

The Type 38 is distinct from later Japanese 75 mm designs introduced in the 1920s and 1930s, which sought greater range, mobility, and advanced recoil systems. Its adoption date and longevity link it to post-Russo-Japanese War reforms and Japan's early 20th-century military expansion. For further reading on its origins and role after the Russo-Japanese conflict see contemporary summaries of that period and artillery development around 1905 Russo-Japanese War.