Shohatsu-class landing craft
The Shohatsu (小発) or 10m landing craft was a small landing craft used by the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II. It was used for landing personnel and stores. It was designated the "Type B" landing craft by the United States.[1]
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Shohatsu Class, Landing Craft |
| Operators: |
|
| General characteristics (Shohatsu-class landing craft) | |
| Type: | Landing Craft/Barge |
| Tonnage: | 4.4 tons |
| Length: | 34.9 ft (10.64 m)o/a |
| Beam: | 8 ft (2.44 m) |
| Draught: | 1.11 ft (0.34 m) |
| Speed: | 7.5 knots (13.9 km/h) |
| Range: | 60 nautical miles (111 km) at 7.5 knots (13.9 km/h) |
| Capacity: | 35 men or 3.5 tons cargo |
| Complement: | 5 |
| Armament: | 1 machine gun |
Design
The Shohatsu class were 34.9 ft (10.64 m) long, 8 ft (2.44 m) wide, and had a draft of 1.11 ft (0.34 m). The class had a maximum speed of 7.5 knots (13.9 km/h), and a range of 60 nautical miles (111 km), assuming they were travelling at top speed. The ship could hold 35 men, or 3.5 tons of cargo. It was built of steel,[2] and had a single bow with no landing ramp.
Service history
It was carried by destroyers and smaller vessels as a cargo boat. Japan ordered 20 of the Shohatsu class land crafts, but it is not known how many of them were actually finished and delivered.[2]
References
Citations
- ONI 208-J (Supplement no. 2) Far Eastern Small Craft. Division of Naval Intelligence. March 1945. p. 23.
- The Pacific War Online Encyclopedia.
Websites
- Budge, Kent G. "The Pacific War Online Encyclopedia: Shohatsu Class, Japanese Landing Craft". www.pwencycl.kgbudge.com. Retrieved 3 June 2017.
Further reading
- Jentschura, Hansgeorg; Jung, Dieter; and Mickel, Peter. Translated by Brown, J.D. 1977. Warships of the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1869–1945. Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-893-X.
- Military Monograph Series - Japanese Landing Craft of World War II. Merriam Press. ISBN 1-57638-049-1