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 of the United States weapons and tended to attack tanks using close-assault tactics. In this environment, the Stuart was only moderately more vulnerable than medium tanks. In addition, the poor terrain and roads common to the theatre were unsuitable for the much heavier M4 medium tanks, and so initially, only light armor could be deployed. Heavier M4s were eventually brought to overcome heavily entrenched positions, though the Stuart continued to serve in a combat capacity until the end of the war. The US liquidated its Stuarts when it got sufficient numbers of M24 Chaffees, but the tank remained in service until the end of