Specification

9 1/2 x 11 3/4 in
528 single-color pages, plus 16 pages of color
1,400 b/w photos & 64 color photos;
100 drawings;
Publication date: November 2016
List price: $75.00

Armoured Trains
An Illustrated Encyclopaedia 18262016
Paul Malmassari
Translated and Edited by Roger Branfill-Cook

Copyright Paul Malmassari

Naval Institute Press

Annapolis, Maryland

Contents
Preface
Introduction
Angola
Argentina
Armenia
Austria
Austro-Hungarian Empire
Belgium
Bosnia Herzegovina
Brazil
Bulgaria
Burma (Myanmar)
Cambodia (Kampuchea)
Canada
Chile
China
Colombia
Congo-Lopoldville
Croatia (Post 1991)
Croatia, Free State of
Cuba
Czechoslovakia
Egypt
Estonia
Finland

xx France
xx Georgia
Germany
xx Great Britain
xx Greece
xx Guatemala
xx Honduras
xx Hungary
xx India
xx Indonesia
xx Iraq
xx Ireland
xx Italy
xx Japan
xx Latvia
xx Lithuania
xx Malaysia
xx Malawi
xx Mauritania
xx Mexico
xx Morocco
xx Mozambique
xx The Netherlands
xx New Zealand
xx Nicaragua
xx North Korea

JAPAN
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx

Norway
Paraguay
Peru
Poland
Portugal
Republic of Congo
Rhodesia (Zimbabwe)
Romania
Russia and URSS
Slovakia (Free State)
Slovakia (post 1944)
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Thailand
Tunisia
Turkey
Ukraine
United States of America
Uruguay
Vietnam
Yugoslavia/Serbia

xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx

Index

xx

FTER 1894, in their moves to establish footholds and expand

their territorial gains on the Asian Continent, the Japanese
Empire became embroiled in several conflicts, first with the
Chinese Empire, and then with the Republic of China. Amongst
other territorial gains, the Sino-Japanese War of 189495 gave
Japan Formosa and Port Arthur in Manchuria. Korea became a
Japanese colony. Then Japan participated in the Allied intervention
in Siberia from August 1918 to October 1922. In 1931 Japan
conquered Manchuria and renamed it Manchukuo. Finally, the
Second Sino-Japanese war, which broke out in 1937, became part
of the wider Second World War.
Japanese armoured trains were used during the intervention in
Siberia from 1918; in 1931 during the invasion of Manchuria; then
in 1932 in the move against Shanghai; and finally across the whole
of occupied Chinese territory. After the Japanese defeat in 1945,
Japanese armoured trains were used by Chinese forces during the
Chinese Civil War, and perhaps even in Korea.

This cannon, crudely placed on an

elevated platform and installed inside
a Russian bogie wagon, allowing only
for head-on fire, appears primitive in
comparison with contemporary
armoured trains that were armed
with cannon in rotating turrets.
(Photo: Paul MALMASSARI Collection)

A well-known photo of an interesting

machine-gun wagon, with a mixed
Czech and Japanese crew, typical of
the forces that defended certain
sections of the Trans-Siberian Railway.
(Photo: All Rights Reserved)

6 JAPAN
and also the latest modifications like
the searchlight mounted on the roof.

A fine view of the armoured railcar

that operated with, but sometimes
independently of, the armoured train
ORLIK. Note the Czech officer on the
left with a group of Japanese officers,

(Photo: Paul MALMASSARI Collection)

A close-up view of one end of the

railcar, which still bears its Czech name,
with the inscription VUZ CIS.1 meaning

(Photo: Paul MALMASSARI Collection)

Intervention in Siberia (191822)

Japan intervened in the Russian Civil War as part of the international coalition that numbered some 25,000 men, first going into
action in Siberia in July 1918 at the request of the American
Government, with the despatch of an initial contingent of 12,000
men under Japanese command.1
Once they were in place, the security of the rail network was
assured by armoured trains, most of which had been brought to the
region by the withdrawing Czech Legion. The Japanese, however,
refused to become involved to the west of Lake Baikal as their
priority was focussed on the support of two White generals,
Ataman Semyonov and General Kalymkov, and then later General
Baron von Ungern-Sternberg, who themselves were well-equipped
with armoured trains,
On 5 April 1920 the Japanese contingent, the sole nonRussian force remaining after the retreat of the American force,2
launched an offensive to disarm the local revolutionary forces, with
the ultimate aim of protecting the Japanese Home Islands, as well
as its colonies in Korea and Manchuria, against the threat of the
anti-monarchist Bolsheviks. The Japanese crossed the Transbaikal,
withdrew their support from Semyonov, and finally in October
1922, giving in to international and domestic3 pressure, withdrew
their contingent.

Wagon N 1.

1.
The 12th Division was the first to land on 3 August 1918 and went into
action alongside the Czechs in the region of the Amur and the Ussuri rivers. At
their peak, the Japanese contingent counted 72,000 men commanded by
General Otani, who in theory was nominal head of all the Allied troops. In fact
the Russo-Japanese War was still fresh in local memory, and Russians mistrusted the growing power of Japan.
2.
The AEFS, the American Expeditionary Force in Siberia, was withdrawn on
1 April 1920.
3.

The Japanese intervention had cost their forces 5000 dead from combat and
disease.

This photograph shows the ultimate

appearance of a Russian armoured
wagon, formerly part of Kalmykovs
forces but then taken over by the
Japanese. Note the Japanese touch of

the additional armour, and the overall

arrangement of the train which
appears less haphazard than in its
original version.
(Photo: All Rights Reserved)

A fine photograph of a Japanese

armoured trolley in service in Siberia. It
is surrounded by Czech Legionnaires.
(Photo: Vojensk stedni archive-Vojensk historick
archive)

8 JAPAN

JAPAN 9

Armoured Trains in Manchuria, China and Korea (193145)

5

The civil war that began in 1911 left China fragmented. On 18

September 1931 in Manchuria, where Japanese influence had
replaced that of the Russians since the war of 1905, minor damage
caused to a railway line6 passing close by a Chinese garrison, in
what became known as the Mukden incident,7 gave Japan the
excuse to strengthen its hold by launching the invasion of the
territory.8 By occupying Harbin on 5 February 1932, the Japanese
concluded their military conquest of Manchuria, one of the major
Chinese provinces situated well to the north of the original
Japanese zone of influence. Subsequently, on 18 February 1932 the
Japanese created the puppet state of Manchukuo, ruled by Pu Yi,
which was never to be recognised by the League of Nations.
If a lack of detailed records prevent us describing all the actions
in which armoured trains participated during the campaign, several
typical engagements were reported in the press at the time. Although
the Chinese army in Manchuria had retreated in disorder, the rail
lines were by no means secure so that on 15 November 1931, for
example, when the Japanese tried to outflank the Chinese lines near
the bridge over the River Nonni, Chinese cavalry succeeded in
cutting off the troop detachment who had disembarked from their
armoured train, and only a small contingent of Japanese succeeded
in rejoining the train, under the protective fire of its guns.
Though the whole of Manchuria was occupied by the
Japanese, they actually controlled only the towns and the railway
lines, along with a large part of the Chinese Eastern Railway. The
Japanese presence obliged the Russians to maintain 150,000 men
along the length of the frontier between Vladivostok and Manchuli
(the station closest to the Manchurian frontier). The Japanese
garrison, in addition to tanks and artillery, maintained some thirty
armoured wagons.
In reprisal for a boycott of Japanese goods by the Chinese
authorities in response to the invasion of Manchuria in early
February 1932, the Japanese decided to take military action in
Shanghai. The Chinese resisted the Japanese aggression and among
other means, brought into use an armoured train on the ShanghaiNankin line, operating principally by night, and added armoured
wagons to their troop trains. It appears that their use ceased once
the Japanese landed heavy artillery.
On 7 July 1937 the Marco Polo Bridge incident between
Chinese and Japanese troops led to the outbreak of the Second
Sino-Japanese War on the 28th of the same month, in which the
5.

The Republic of China was created on 1 January 1912 by Sun Yat-sen.

6.

The rail network in that region belonged to the Japanese Railway Company
of Southern Manchuria.

7.

The modern Shenyang.

8.

See also the Chapter xxx.

9.

The island of Formosa had been Japanese since 1895, and only became
Chinese again in 1945. We do not know if the defence of the islands rail
network included armoured trains.

Similar construction features are

evident on other armoured trains, here
lacking lateral MG nacelles. Note the
front observation post separated from
the main armoured hull. (Photo: Paul MAL-

Japanese captured several Chinese cities. In March 1940 a central

Chinese Government was installed by the Japanese, but the war was
gradually transformed into a series of guerrilla and counter-guerrilla
actions. This conflict ended on 8 August 1945 with the Japanese
surrender,9 the occupation of Korea by Soviet forces and the
outbreak of the new civil war in China.

Above; This type of armoured wagon

is typical of the Korean or Manchurian
rail network. Its construction is
straightforward, with an armoured
body attached to a standard bogie
flat wagon.

Below: A view of the other end of the

wagon.

(Photo: Konstantin FEDOROV, Archivist, Collection)

(Photo: Konstantin FEDOROV, Archivist, Collection)

MASSARI Collection)

Another similar view, perhaps the other end of the same train, showing the
various different types of protection, riveted plates, welded plates, sandbags.
(Photo: Paul MALMASSARI Collection)

This photo should be compared to

that shown in the chapter on Korea
(page xxx). The arrangement of the
opening flaps on the firing nacelle is
interesting, as is the tripod fixture for a
searchlight on the roof. In fact, this
photograph viewed in conjunction
with the preceding two proves that
the nacelles were diagonally opposed.
(Photo: Paul MALMASSARI Collection)

The lack of good roads in this immense territory meant that the
railways were vitally important. The Japanese deployed large numbers
of troops to protect the railway lines, and in turn these became a
principal target for sabotage. The Imperial Army used several
armoured trains10 and armoured trolleys. These units were obliged to
operate over two different rail gauges depending on the area:
1520mm (5ft) Russian gauge in the northern zone of Manchuria,
and 1430mm (4ft 81/2in) European gauge in the rest of the territory.
10.

In Japanese: Soko Ressha.

10 JAPAN

JAPAN 11

The first Japanese armoured trains, which according to Antoine

Baseilhac represented the only highly mobile powerful elements
across the vast Manchurian plains, were improvised from existing
Manchurian rolling stock. They also used captured Chinese
armoured train sections, which were often better constructed, many
being former White Russian armoured trains brought to China
when the Whites had fled Russia at the end of the Civil War. But to
meet the need for modern weaponry, two unique armoured trains
were built for use in Manchuria: the provisional armoured train in
1932, and the following year the Type 94 armoured train. At the
same time, a large number of self-propelled units were put into
service for use by rail reconnaissance patrols.

As the war progressed, the armoured

trains received a distinctive camouflage
scheme. (Photo: Paul MALMASSARI Collection)

In addition to armoured wagons intended to be included with normal trains, the

Japanese assembled armoured trains intended for offensive patrols. Here, the
pilot security wagons have been uncoupled. The insignia on the side of the
armoured wagon is that of the military railways.
(Photo: All Rights Reserved)

12 JAPAN

JAPAN 13

Type 94 Armoured Train (193345)

The Type 94 armoured train was conceived after feedback from
operating the previous provisional armoured train. Design began in
October 1933 and the train was built in a year. No additional
example was built so it was to was to remain unique. Although
capable of running at up to 65kph (40mph), it was essentially a
coast defence/mobile artillery type of train rather than a track
security patrol unit. Compared to the other armoured trains used
in China and Manchuria, its light armour protection of 6mm and
10mm plates indicates that it was not designed for close-in combat.
Its eight elements were as follows, from head to tail:
Protection wagon (track control)
Artillery wagon N 1 (K)
Artillery wagon N 2 (Otsu)
Artillery wagon N 3 (Hei)
Command wagon
Engine
Tender
Electrical generator wagon

A superb view of the complete train, which gives off an aura of invulnerability,
aided by its homogenous design. It underwent running trials from 16 November
to 16 December 1934, and had its firing trials on 89 December.
(Photo: All Rights Reserved)

Left: A close-up view of the Generator

wagon, bringing up the rear of the train,
with its two 7.7mm Type 92 MGs for
close-in defence and the armoured
30cm searchlight.
(Photo: All Rights Reserved)

The protection (track control) wagon at the head of the train, equipped with a
30cm diameter armoured searchlight. Clearly visible are the 7.7mm Type 92
MGs for close-in defence and the sliding shutters closing the observation ports.

The central coupling knuckle indicates that this wagon has been built on the
base of a 30-tonne Type Ta-I mineral wagon.

The interior of the protection wagon, which appears to comprise a small

command post. Its layout is similar to that of the command wagon of the

temporary armoured train, and it too carries rails and sleepers mounted on its
sides. (Photo: All Rights Reserved)

(Photo: All Rights Reserved)

Below: With its turrets aligned fore and

aft, the train is photographed between
Sakako and Furanten.
(Photo: All Rights Reserved)

14 JAPAN

JAPAN 15
The K wagon was fitted with a single
turret armed with a 100mm Type 14
anti-aircraft gun (here used solely
against ground targets) with a 270degree field of fire. Its maximum range
was 15km (9.4 miles). The 7.7mm Type
92 MGs in the forward turrets are for
use against ground targets, while those
in the rear turrets are dual-purpose
ground/AA. (Photo: All Rights Reserved)

Interior view of the forward part of

the K wagon, with its armour plates
backed with wood. In the background
is the turret revolving basket, while on
the left are some of the racks for the
200 shells the wagon carried.
(Photo: All Rights Reserved)

As with the other artillery wagons, the Hei wagon was constructed on the base of a 60-tonne wagon Type Chi-i. The
cannon are 75mm Type 88 anti-aircraft guns, also capable of engaging ground targets, with a horizontal range of 14km (8.75
miles), provided with 300 rounds each. (Photo: All Rights Reserved)

The interior of the Otsu wagon. The

ladder was needed for access to the
rotating basket of the turret, set at a
higher level than in the K version.
(Photo: All Rights Reserved)

The Otsu wagon was similar in design

to the K wagon, except that its superstructure was higher to enable it to fire
over the latter. On this wagon all four
MG turrets could be used against
ground and air targets. The same as
used on board ship, the rangefinder
and its crew are visible on the roof,
with the binocular periscope to their
left. Within the camouflage pattern are
yellow, or ochre, bands intended to
break up the regular lines of the
wagon.
(Photo: All Rights Reserved)

This interior view shows one of the turret baskets of Hei wagon. At the very top
of the photo the breech of the 75mm gun is just visible. Although it seems to be

a relatively small weapon compared to the size of the wagon, each gun had a rate
of fire of some 20 rounds per minute. (Photo: All Rights Reserved)

16 JAPAN

A postcard, based closely on the photograph on page xxx, depicts a typical train
on the Manchurian front, with its distinctive camouflage scheme and a rangefinder
in the near artillery wagon. (Postcard: Paul MALMASSARI Collection)

A colorized photo of a SO-KI in Manchuria. (Photo: Author Collection)

This postcard clearly indicates the contemporary camouflage scheme on the

trolleys and the trains. The trolley is being used as a tractor, hauling an armoured
wagon. (Photo: Author Collection)

Two photos of the SO-KI on

display in the Beijing Military
Museum.
(Photos: Author Collection)

This illustration of a railway guard in winter kit and the locomotive of an

armoured train is from the cover of a packet containing a set of patriotic
postcards. (Illustration: Paul MALMASSARI Collection)