Japanese 8" Coastal Defense Gun Type 38 (1905)
Technical Information
Manufactured by W. G. Armstrong-Whitworth, and its subsidiary companies: Stabilimento Armstrong–Pozzuoli, Vickers, Sons & Maxims, and Nihon Seiko Shi (Japanese Steelworks) at Muroran, Japan.
The 45cal. gun came into service in 1903 in the UK and in 1905 in Japan and was designated Type 38 8-inch gun. Many of these guns were emplaced in Micronesia prior to World War II.
These guns were imported by Japan with obsolete Japanese naval vessels, which had been purchased from the U. K. and Italy prior to World War I. Also, guns imported during the Sino-Japanese war. These guns were used on Heavy Cruiser or larger warships until 1916 when twin turrets began to be installed.
Prior to the war, many of these guns were selected for emplacement on land.
During World War II, the myth that these were captured at Singapore and taken to Micronesia. This is false.
References
Spennemann, Dirk H.R. (2000). 8-inch Coastal Defense Guns. British, Italian and Japanese Naval Guns and their Emplacements in Micronesia.
Technical Details
Crew 63 (for two guns, plus 12 laborers for moving amunition)
Caliber 45 cal. 8-inch guns
Shell HE, AP
Fuses Mecanical time fuse, point detonating fuze
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