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  Type 95 Ha Go Light Tank   San Francisco Maru No. 1
IJA


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Peter Ording 2000
Tank History
Delivered to the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) as Type 95 Ha Go Light Tank.

Wartime History
By the middle of January 1944 this tank was at Yokosuka. Between January 17, 1944 to January 19, 1944 one of three Type 95 Ha Go light tanks loaded aboard San Francisco Maru as deck cargo. This tank was secured on the port side forward of the bridge. On January 20, 1944 departs Yokosuka as part of convoy no. 3120. On February 4, 1944 arrives Truk Lagoon and is anchored in the 4th Fleet Anchorage southeast of Dublon Island.

Sinking History
On February 18, 1944 when the San Francisco Maru sank, this tank also went down with the ship.

Wreckage
This tank remains secured on the starboard side of the deck of the San Francisco Maru at a depth of approximately 165'. This tank is often photographed by SCUBA divers exploring the shipwreck. This tank is located on the port side of the bridge at an angle. On the opposite side of the bridge is Type 95 Ha Go Tank (No. 2) and Type 95 Ha Go Tank (No. 3).

References
National Geographic Vol. 149, No. 5 "Truk Lagoon: A Sunken Japanese Fleet Becomes A Scientific Laboratory" (May 1976) by Silvia A. Earle photos by Al Giddings cover photo
WWII Wrecks of Truk Lagoon (2001) by Dan Bailey cover photo, 427 (tank description), 429 (side view and topside view), 432 (lower photo)

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Last Updated
August 19, 2023

 

Tech Info
Type 95

SCUBA
165' / 50m
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