picture 186314

Type 97-kai, Iwashita Detachment, 2nd Armored Division, Clark Field, January 1945. This Shinhoto Chi-Ha is in the standard 1942 finish of overall parched grass with bands of willow green and mahogany brown. The three tank regiments of the 2nd Armored Division used insignia derived from the Sakura (cherry blossom) but with a square in the center (6th Tank Regiment), circle (7th Tank Regiment), and X (10th Tank Regiment) as seen in the inset drawing. The other insignia on the hull side is unexplained; it is similar to the “folded fan” insignia of the 2nd Mobile Infantry Regiment to which the detachment was attached. The Japanese character “I” in Katakana seen on the turret presumably refers to the detachment commander, Capt Iwashita.