By the beginning of World War II, all the leading armies had time to put into active operation a variety of electrical systems. Electrification provided lighting for objects, maintaining communications, etc. Accordingly, the disabling of electrical communications could affect the enemy's combat effectiveness. To solve such problems, a special electric tank "Ka-Ha" was developed in Japan.
Project "Ka-Na"
According to various sources, since the end of the twenties, Japanese scientists have studied the possibilities of the combat use of electricity. The goal of the Ka-Na project was to determine the real capabilities of the current and the creation of real combat systems capable of hitting people, equipment, equipment, etc.
First of all, empirically determined the features of the impact of various voltages on the manpower and electrical appliances of the enemy. It turned out that most electrical systems cannot withstand voltages of more than a few hundred volts and simply burn out. A breakdown of the device can be accompanied by destruction and fire, potentially dangerous to others.
The fight against manpower turned out to be more difficult - it required equipment with improved characteristics, capable of launching a current through the ground. To defeat soldiers in tropical conditions (high soil moisture and heat, contributing to increased sweating), a voltage of about 2-3 kV was required. Under normal climatic conditions, soldiers in summer uniform were struck at 5-10 kV. Finally, in a dry climate with a winter uniform, the required voltage increased to 10 kV.
Based on the results of these studies, the requirements for future combat equipment were determined. It was necessary to develop a mobile generator set capable of delivering 10 kV to the ground or enemy communications. Such a product could fight the enemy's manpower or disrupt his communication, energy networks, etc.
Soon, the first prototype of the combat generator was created. The necessary equipment was mounted on a wheeled cart. Such a base excluded real combat use, but made it possible to show the main capabilities and remove the characteristics. After testing the prototype on a light chassis, the design of a full-fledged combat vehicle began.
Tank "Ka-Ha"
In the late thirties, the Ka-Na program reached the stage of creating a full-fledged electric combat vehicle. They decided to build this prototype on the basis of the newest Type 97 medium tank, also known as the Chi-Ha. Alteration of the base machine did not take long, and soon a fundamentally new technique appeared.
The electric tank was named Ka-Ha, short for Electricity and Destruction. In some sources, the syllable "Ha" is interpreted as an indication of the base tank "Medium, third".
Unfortunately, the exact dates for the creation and construction of the Ka-Ha tanks are unknown. However, it is clear that this vehicle could not have appeared before 1938, when the basic medium tank went into production. In addition, according to some sources, by the beginning of the forties in the Japanese army there were already several "Ka-Ha".
Design features
The original project involved rebuilding a serial medium tank into a special electric one. Such work was not particularly difficult. During the alteration, the "Type 97" retained almost all the main units, but lost some of the equipment. After that, the appearance and tactical and technical characteristics as a whole remained the same, but fundamentally new opportunities appeared.
The armored body with bulletproof protection as a whole retained its design, but received a higher turret platform. The standard tower remained in place. A 12-cylinder diesel engine with a capacity of 170 hp was left in the stern; a mechanical transmission was placed in the nose. The chassis remains the same.
The Ka-Ha electric tank did not need armament for a linear armored vehicle. The standard 57mm cannon and 7.7mm machine gun were removed from the turret. Also removed the course machine gun in the frontal part of the hull. In place of the gun, a mock-up of the barrel was placed, which made it possible to preserve the resemblance to a serial medium tank and not to attract undue attention of the enemy.
"Ka-Ha" was built on the basis of the command tank "Type 97", as a result of which it received a radio station. The only known photo of such a machine shows a tower with a handrail antenna.
The freed up volumes of the fighting compartment were used for the installation of a direct current generator set. The type and architecture of this product are unknown. There are no exact data on this, but, most likely, the installation received its own engine of the required power. The product could deliver voltages up to 10 kV.
The tank received power distribution means, cables for supplying voltage to the ground or connecting to enemy wires and other special equipment. Also, it was necessary to provide for the isolation of the units, which prevents the defeat of its own crew.
Tankers, incl. the operator of the electrical equipment was entitled to the Type 88 protective kits. It was a fully enclosed suit made of thick rubberized fabric with a helmet and gloves. In such a suit, the operator could work with his own equipment or with enemy electrified barriers.
An electric tank of a new type was intended to destroy enemy manpower and electrical systems. When working on the battlefield, it was planned to enter a position with the subsequent installation of cables at the desired points. The electric current supplied to the ground was supposed to spread and hit the enemy. It was also proposed to break through to the enemy's wires and connect cables to them.
It was assumed that 10 kilovolts would be able to disable or kill enemy soldiers in the trenches. The high voltage was supposed to provide shock through clothing or other insulators. Also, the tank could burn any electrical systems. Moreover, such an effect on lighting, telephone or telegraph could lead to injury to people, to fires, etc. At the same time, to solve combat missions, the electric tank did not have to come into direct contact with the enemy.
Secrets of exploitation
According to known data, until the beginning of the forties inclusive, Japanese industry produced a small number of Ka-Ha tanks. How the production was carried out is unknown. Special tanks could be built from scratch or manufactured by rebuilding existing Type 97 vehicles. The number of vehicles produced is unknown, but it is obvious that it was small.
It is reliably known about the existence of four copies of the "Ka-Ha". After construction, this technique was transferred to the 27th separate engineering regiment. During that period, the unit was stationed in Manchuria and supported the activities of other formations.
What was the operation of the four special tanks is unknown. There are no data on the use of such a technique against real targets. In addition, the choice of the location of the deployment raises questions. The region was not very well developed in terms of communications, but it could also find work for an electric tank.
The service of four tanks lasted until the summer of 1945. After the start of the Red Army's offensive, the Japanese military began to destroy secret military property in order to avoid it falling into the hands of the enemy. During this period, the 27th Engineer Regiment carried out an entire operation to eliminate its materiel. The regiment dug a huge pit and placed about a hundred pieces of equipment and weapons in it, as well as 16 tons of explosives. The subsequent explosion probably destroyed all the built Ka-Ha tanks.
Overly original project
The available data allow us to evaluate the special tank "Ka-Ha" and draw some conclusions. First of all, it is necessary to note an interesting idea underlying the project. Japanese experts not only understood the value of electricity, but also looked for ways to use it in combat. It should be noted that the Ka-Ha tank was not the only attempt to use the current in battle. The Ka-Na program led to the emergence of several other equally interesting projects.
The advantages of the Ka-Ha tank include the relative ease of production due to the use of a ready-made base. In addition, it should be noted the confirmed possibility of defeating manpower and equipment. In theory, some targets could be destroyed even at a considerable distance. The tank could damage the infantry or signalmen. In the latter case, one combat vehicle could disrupt the work of entire units, formations and formations.
However, "Ka-Ha" turned out to be a highly specialized model with characteristic problems. The main disadvantage can be considered the complexity of combat work according to the established methods. Deploying an electric tank into position was challenging enough to attract enemy attention. In addition, in order to effectively defeat the enemy, excessively powerful electrical equipment was required, which gave additional risks.
The fight against communications and power supply was hampered by objective factors. Thus, the most important wire lines are located in the rear of the enemy, and it can be extremely difficult to reach them. It is difficult to imagine how such an operation could be carried out.
You can also note the redundancy of the very concept of a special tank for the destruction of soldiers and equipment with electricity. Any tank, artillery gun, infantry, etc. can solve the same tasks. The ability to shock people and burn equipment was a characteristic feature of the Ka-Ha tank, but it was not its fundamental advantage over other weapons.
All this explains why the promising specialized tank was built in an extremely small series and did not receive much distribution. The Japanese army quickly assessed all its positive and negative features and made the correct conclusion. The unique and interesting tank was not suitable for mass exploitation.
However, the tank was not forgotten and even became the subject of jokes. A couple of years ago, one of the specialized Internet resources published an article with "previously unknown" data about an electric tank. It was claimed that this vehicle received a Type 100 electric cannon and could literally fire 300 megavolts of lightning. Several Ka-Has took part in the battles for Burma and destroyed a significant number of British tanks.
However, this data was published on April 1, and it was just a joke. The real characteristics of the "Ka-Ha" were much more modest than the "April Fools'", and nothing is known about the combat use of such equipment. However, this does not make the bold project less interesting because of this.
