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The National Police Reserve didn't
have tanks in those days. They had only arms such as a rifle
gun, a machine gun, a trench mortar. The National Police Reserve
was changed to National Security Force in October 25,1952. (110000
people) The U.S. Army gave 40 M24 tanks to them. This is a start
of the JGSDF tank unit history. M24 was the light tank which
had the better performance than IJA tanks in those days. It was
popular from crews. M24 was deployed more than 370 in the end.
The National Security Force reorganized to JGSDF (Japan Ground
Self-Defense Force) in July 4, 1954. (6 District, 4 Combined
group with 130000 people). JGSDF deployed medium tank in addition
to M24 light tank. They received 250 M4A3 in 1954. (and 80 M32
ARV). Those were HVSS suspension types with 76.2mm gun. Because
this M4 tank had a big frame, it was unsuitable for a physique
of Japanese. Japanese driver had difficulty to his short foot
in order to step on a clutch pedal. Domestic tank development
was begun by a bad reputation factor from them. |