USMC M4A2 Sherman vs Japanese Type 95 Ha-Go: The Central Pacific 1943-44

The different national tank doctrines of the United States and Imperial Japan resulted in a terrible mismatch of tank types in the Central Pacific campaign, with the Japanese emphasizing light infantry support tanks and the Americans developing a more systematic tactical doctrine. This led to deadly engagements from Tarawa to Peleliu, with the M4A2 being the preferred medium tank.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 80 pages
Publication date: 18 February 2021
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

The United States and Imperial Japan had distinct national tank doctrines that led to a significant mismatch of tank types in the crucial Central Pacific campaign. The Japanese doctrine focused on light infantry support tanks, which were often used in small numbers and tactically wasted in armored versions of the banzai attacks. On the other hand, the Americans saw the tank as an infantry support weapon and developed a more systematic tactical doctrine. They settled on a larger medium tank, the diesel-powered M4A2, which was favored by most Marine Corps tank battalions. This mismatch of tank types had a profound impact on the course of the campaign, with the Americans struggling to counter the Japanese tanks and the Japanese struggling to penetrate the American defenses. The engagements at Tarawa, Parry Island, Saipan, and Guam, as well as Peleliu in September 1944, highlighted the tactical and technical differences between the two sides and the devastating consequences of these differences.

Weight: 264g
Dimension: 427 x 248 x 11 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781472840110