Type 5 Chi-Ri medium tank Type 5 Chi-Ri medium tank The ("Imperial Year 2605 Medium Tank Model 9") was the ultimate medium tank developed by the Imperial Japanese Army in World War II. Intended to be a heavier, more powerful version of Japan's prototype Type 4 Chi-To medium tank, in performance it was designed to surpass the US M4 Sherman medium tanks being fielded by the Allied forces. A single prototype was incomplete when the war ended. Based on battlefield information from the Eastern Front, Department of Arm Weaponry published a report demanding a shift of tank design focus from Infantry tank to tanks specialised
Tanks in World War II Tanks in World War II Tanks were an important weapons system in World War II. Even though tanks in the inter-war years were the subject of widespread research, production was limited to relatively small numbers in a few countries. However, during World War II most armies employed tanks, and production levels reached thousands each month. Tank usage, doctrine and production varied widely among the combatant nations. By war's end, a consensus was emerging regarding tank doctrine and design. The tank was invented by the British in World War I, with nearly simultaneous development in France. Tanks of the First World