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Type 89B
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"Don't make fun of our Type 89!"
―Akebi Sasaki

The Type 89 medium tank I-Go (八九式中戦車 イ号 Hachikyū-shiki chū-sensha I-gō) was a Japanese medium tank by the Imperial Japanese Army during the Interwar. This is the first mass-produced tank in the world with a diesel engine.

History[]

Development[]

Evolving from the the first tank project initiated in 1925, the tank was specified to be able to attack enemy fortifications and accompany infantry; a 57mm gun was required and the speed was limited to 25 km/h as speed wasn't necessary. In 1927, the underpowered Type 87 Chi-Hi prototype was rejected by the IJA General Staff Office, thence a new design based on the Vickers Medium Mark C Hornet bought by the IJA in 1927 was planned. The design, finished on April 1928, was composed of a 57mm Type 90 gun with two machine guns, steel plate armor, leaf-spring suspensions (protected by armored plates) and a 118 hp Daimler 6-cylinder gasoline engine. The prototype finished in 1929 was first designed as a light tank but was reclassified as a medium tank due to weight of over 10 tons. The tank entered production in 1931 by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and became the main battle tank of the IJA.

The initial production model called the Type 89A I-Go Kō (113 tanks produced) was technically the same as the prototype, with the Daimler engine and a machine-gun on the right side of the hull. However this model couldn't go higher than 15.50 km/h and couldn't withstand the rough winter climate of northern China; its production was superseded in 1934 by its improved version the Type 89B I-Go Otsu (291 tanks produced). This model came with major improvements such as a new turret with a cupola for the commander, the hull machine gun relocated to the left, the multiple armor plates of the front hull were replaced by a single shallow-sloped frontal armor plate, and the replacement of the Daimler gasoline engine with an air-cooled Mitsubishi A6120VD 120 hp diesel engine that had the advantage of being less vulnerable to fire, having a better fuel economy, and greater torque at lower revolutions.

Operational History[]

The tank made its baptism of fire during the First Battle of Shanghaï in 1932 where it performed well in providing support to infantry by destroying machine-gun nests as it encountered neither armored opposition nor anti-tank weapons. In 1934 the Type 89B was intensively tested in northern Manchuria and both models were used in 1937 during Second Sino-Japanese War where it encountered little resistance from the Chinese Armored Force essentially composed of Vickers Mark E, Panzer I and CV.33. By the time of 1937, the Type 89B was already judged obsolete and replaced by the new and more efficient Type 97 Chi-Ha.

The tank really saw its flaws during the Incident of Nomonhan in July 1939, where the outdated tank was handicapped by its slow speed and thin armor: The Type 89B was vulnerable to Soviets anti-tank guns and overpowered by faster and better armed tanks such as the T-26, BT-5 or the BT-7. By 1942, even if the Type 89 was totally replaced in assembly line and gradually withdrawn from the front line it fought during the Battles of Philippines and Malaya, during the Burma Campaign and in China. It was also used a static defensive position in the islands occupied by the Japanese in the Dutch East Indies and the South Pacific. Its poor muzzle velocity rendered it unsuitable for anti-tank warfare against light tanks and especially heavier American tanks such as the M4 Sherman. The tank was only able to perform WWI tank missions such as destroying pillboxes or crushing barbwire networks.

One Type 89B was used by France during the early stages of the First Indochina War, part of a French military ad hoc unit called "Commando Blindé du Cambodge" composed of French and Japanese armor abandoned during the Japanese invasion of Indochina in 1940.

In Girls Und Panzer[]

Anime[]

The Type 89B was found by the future Duck Team in a cave on the side of a cliff overlooking Oarai and was assigned to them.

JSDGF Captain Ami Chōno organized a mock-up match during which it fought under the designation B-Team. The Type 89B allied with all other teams against A-Team, it was seen firing on the Panzer IV alongside the StuG III when it was stuck on a bridge until the vulnerable tank struck back and destroyed them both.

During the training match against St. Gloriana Girls College, the Type 89B was forced to retreat to the city after their failed ambush, it hid in a parking elevator system and set a trap. Rukuriri fell into the trap: She focused her attention on an incoming elevator, while the Type 89 slowly rose from its hiding spot and delivered a rear shot to the Matilda. However, they only managed to destroy the external fuel tank and the British tank returned the courtesy with a hard 2-pdr shot.

During the tournament first round match against Saunders University High School, after Ooarai discovered that their communications were tapped, the Type 89B was tasked to bait two Shermans into the kill zone, by strapping a pack of logs onto its back to create a smoke that suggested a large movement of tanks. It successfully baited the Shermans into the designated zone where one was destroyed. Then it was used as recon to find their opponent's flag tank; it accidentally stumbled upon it in a forest whereupon a fierce pursuit ensued. Duck Team blinded the flag tank with smoke sticks sent by volley spikes and led it into a trap. After Alisa was given the order by Kay to retreat, the Type 89B took part in the chase, during which it became the first victim of the Firefly.

During the tournament quarter-finals match against Anzio Girls High School, the Type 89B spent almost the entire match fighting Pepperoni and her CV.33s. While first resisting all Type 89B's shots due to their lighter frame, four CV.33s were destroyed with well-aimed located shots. Pepperoni was called back by Anchovy and after a long pursuit the Type 89B delivered a shell in the CV.33's engine.

During the tournament semi-finals match against Pravda Girls High School, the Type 89B was fielded as the flag tank. After they broke the siege, the Type 89B was protected by all remaining tanks during the pursuit while the Panzer IV and StuG went after the enemy flag tank. After its escort was destroyed, the Type 89B received a fierce fire barrage from Pravda dodged by nothing but skill and GUTS !!!, continuing until it received a deadly blow from the IS-2. But miraculously the badly bruised Type 89B remained operational, while at the same time Hippo Team had destroyed Pravda flag tank.

During the tournament final match against Kuromorimine Girls Academy, the tank did mostly harassment tasks. After escaping the hill battle and crossing the river, it participated in the destruction of the Maus by climbing on the top of the behemoth and blocking its turret, exposing the air vent for the Panzer IV. It spent the rest of the match harassing Kuromorimine's tanks. It ended up bullying a Tiger II and two Panthers by ramming and firing at them to get on their nerves. This continued until the Tiger II put an end to Duck Team's insolence.

Manga[]

During the alternate practice match against St. Gloriana, it performed the same as in the anime except that it managed to destroy Rukuriri's Matilda and was soon after destroyed by another Matilda.

During the alternate quarter-final match against Anzio, it was first used as recon with Turtle Team but was caught by Anzio's vanguard, it sustained heavy fire until others come to rescue. Free from Anzio's fire the Type 89B managed to shoot down one CV.33. It was later tasked to protect the flag tank after the M3 Lee was destroyed by the P26/40. Seeing a M13/40 having an overture on their flag tank, the Type 89B intercepted the killing blow and was destroyed in lieu of Hippo Team.

Der Film[]

In the exhibition match against St.Gloriana/Pravda, the Type 89B was part of Miho's detachment to assault St. Gloriana tanks on the golf course. But after Chi-Ha-Tan's reckless charge and Pravda managing to break Ooarai's rearguard, they were forced to retreat into the city. The Type 89B tried alongside other tanks to divide their enemy like they did during the match against Kuromorimine, Darjeeling didn't fall for the diversion. The tank regrouped with the others at the OY line which was broken soon after, forcing the Type 89B to retreat with Fukuda pursued by Rukuriri taking refuge in a no-fire zone. After a pursuit in the mall, Duck Team lured Rukuriri in the same spot where they tricked her in the practice match however this time was different and the Type 89B was saved in-extremis by the Type 95. In the end it joined in the chase on the Churchill, but upon arriving at Aqua World it failed to climb the ledge and support its allies.

During the match against All-Stars University Team, the Type 89B was part of Team Dandelion and took part in the engagement against Rumi's Pershings in the swamps. It was soon dispatched to Acorn Platoon alongside the BT-42, the CV.33 and the Hetzer to destroy the Karl-Gerät. While all the attention was drawn by Mika, the Type 89B with Anchovy on the back took the bridge leading to the close to the heavy artillery, when close enough they braked hard to propel the tankette onto the Karl but the plan ultimately failed. After the retreat to the theme park, the University stormed in the park with the T28 Super-Heavy Tank as a shield. The Type 89B was called back as reinforcement against the armored wall, eventually retreating alongside the other tanks and getting trapped at the amphitheatre. They managed to escape thanks to Rabbit Team's ferris wheel diversion and scattered alongside Chi-Ha-Tan tanks. Their last action was an attempt to destroy the Centurion but they were slaughtered by Alice.

Warning: The following information may not be inside Girls und Panzer's main core. It has some level of canonicity within the continuity, but reader discretion is advised.

Ribbon Warrior[]

During an exhibition Tankathlon match against Centipede Team, Duck Team fielded their Type 89B. Having the advantage of terrain, Duck Team anticipated nearly all movement of the Te-Ke by shooting through buildings and cut off Centipede Team's escape routes until the match was settle at Ooarai beach where both tanks destroyed each other.

During the Cauldron tournament in the fourth match of the first round against Schwarzwald Kampfgruppe, Duck Team fielded their Type 89B. During the arrival match Duck Team and their Type 89B were lured by a volleyball game scheduled after the match; they sped up carelessly towards the finish line, followed by Koume and Bauer in their Panzer II. In doing so, they neglected their security and were shot down by Erika's Panzer II near the finish line.

During the Cauldron tournament second round Blue Team fielded the Type 89B, fighting under the banner of Schwarzwald Kampfgruppe. After nightfall Team Yellow sent two FT-17 commanded by Eclair and two T-60 commanded by Nina to destroy Tategoto tanks. Fortunately the Type 89B saved Aung at the last moment by destroying one FT-17 and making the others retreat. Later in the night it made the alliance between Red and Green burst by destroying one CV.33 and throwing flares on Red Team tanks making them appear to help Erika and allowing Blue Team escape the encirclement. After the introduction of Team Oni, Duck Team were ordered by Aung to retreat with Maho. The Type 89B was nowhere to be seen after that so it is unknown if it survived the match.

Non-GuP core informations ends here.


Little Army 2[]

Ooarai Girls Academy fielded their Type 89B during the Commemorative Cup repechage match against Bellwall Academy. After Bellwall's main force goes after Miho's tank, the Type 89B and the StuG were ordered to storm their back, however as Duck Team didn't have any appearance after it is unknown if they survived the match or scored any hit.

Fierce Fight! It's the Maginot Battle![]

The Type 89B participates at some mock-up matches before the match against Maginot. During the one of the battles it manages to destroy the Panzer IV (due to Saori's inability to command) and was seen fire its machine-gun on the M3 Lee however it is unknown if it manages to destroy it.

During the training match against Maginot Girls' Academy, the Type 89B is seen harassing the entrenched Maginot tanks and ineffectively firing at a SOMUA while tightening their encirclement. However after Maginot reveals their true colors, the Type 89B joins Turtle Team to release some pressure from Eclair and a R39, after the M3 managed to stop's Eclair momentum allowing the Type 89B to escape with the Panzer 38(t) and take pursuit of the R39 harassing the StuG. After they divert the R39's attention allowing Hippo Team to take a shot on Maginot's tank but hit the R39 instead, the Type 89B on their side chased the remaining R39 and successfully land a shot in the track immobilizing the tank giving the opportunity to Turtle Team to deliver the final shot. Once Ooarai retake the initiative Maginot was forced to retreat in the nearby forest, after some relief Maginot set a trap for Ooarai where the Type 89B was disposed off by Fondue's SOMUA.

Das Finale[]

During the 41st Winter Continuous Track Cup first round match against BC Freedom High School, the Type 89B was sent scouting and tailing Andou's SOMUAs when one of them stalled the medium tank in a village allowing the others to regroup and set a trap for Ooarai on the bridge. When learning their teammates situation Duck Team withdraw and finally storm the SOMUA platoon's back forcing them to retreat. During the last stages of the bocage battle, the Type 89B seing the flag of Marie's tank from behind a hedge attempt a daring attack to take down their opponent's flag tank but instead was found itself stucked between Andou's SOMUA and Oshida's ARL 44, as the French tanks get close to each other the Type 89B was lifted up from the ground exposing its belly to the FT-17 that didn't miss the opportunity and delivered a shot that sent the helpless tank away.

During the tournament quarter-finals match against Chi-Ha-Tan Academy, as the others the Type 89B spent the first part of the match by being harassed and exchanging first with Chi-Ha-Tan tanks. Once settle at the lake at the lake, Duck Team was sent to scout the surroundings, after falling on Chi-Ha-Tan's main force it retreat to the main group. After the Tiger(P) was detracked the Type 89B was sent with Anteater Team to protect the flag-tank from Chi-Ha-Tan's charge while fighting the two Ka-Mi and realize too late that the real target was Leopon Team and not Turtle Team. After the evacuation and leading Chi-Ha-Tan into a trap, the Type 89B is seen pursuing the retreating tanks.<to be continued>

Trivia[]

  • Type 89B was previously the oldest tank to be fielded in the anime, it was beaten by the FT-17 used by Maginot and BC Freedom and the Mark IV used by Ooarai.
  • The Type 89 was the world's first diesel engine powered production tank (a title often mistakenly given to the Polish 7TP).
  • It was never explained how it was possible to retrieve the Type 89B from the cave, or how it got there in the first place.
  • The Type 89B is the only tank that has been chased individually by the enemy tanks during the national tournament.
  • In its early appearances, it had the symbol of a white volleyball as the insignia of the Duck Team. This was later changed to a duck logo.
  • The Type 89B is also the tank of the real life tanker 1st Lt. Kojiro Nishizumi, whose family name of the main character was named after.
    • Ironically enough, Miho mainly commands a Panzer IV throughout the anime and the Type 89B was manned by the Duck Team.
  • The tank was named Type 89 because it was the first prototype was finished in 1929 (Imperial year 2589).
  • The Type 89B is the only medium tank to participate in Tankathlon by removing the rear sledge to match the ten ton limit.
    • However it is highly unlikely that removing the rear sledge could lighten the 12-tons tank enough to make it pass the limit.
  • The Type 89B is the second tank in the anime and the third in the franchise to receive a belly shot, the first being the T28 in Der Film and the second being the T-28 in Phase: Erika.

Gallery[]

Type 89B


Main article: Type 89B/Gallery
Tanks ☰ 
Light Tanks and Tankettes Poland7TPFranceAMR-35FinlandBT-42UKCrusaderItalyCV.33FranceFT-17UKHarry HopkinsUnited StatesM22 LocustUnited StatesM24 ChaffeeUKMark VIGermanyPanzer IICzechoslovakiaPanzer 38(t)FranceR35SovietT-60SovietT-70UKTetrarchPolandTK TanketteJapan2Type 2 Ka-MiJapan2Type 94 TanketteJapan2Type 95 Ha-GoJapan2Type 97 Te-Ke
Medium Tanks UKCenturionUnited StatesM3 LeeUnited StatesM4 ShermanItalyM13/40UKMatilda IIItalyP26/40GermanyPanzer IIIGermanyPanzer IVGermanyPanzer V "Panther"AustraliaSentinelFranceSOMUA S35SovietT-34SovietT-44Japan2Type 89BJapan2Type 3 Chi-NuJapan2Type 97 Chi-Ha
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Tank Destroyers GermanyElefantGermanyHetzerSovietISU-152GermanyJagdpanzer IVGermanyJagdpantherGermanyJagdtigerRomaniaMareșalItalySemovente da 75/18GermanyStuG IIIUnited StatesT28 Super-Heavy Tank
Self-Propelled Artillery GermanyKarl-Gerät 040
Main Battle Tank Japan2Type 10
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