Difference between revisions of "Ho-Ro"

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== Description ==
 
== Description ==
 
<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
 
<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
−
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Japanese tank destroyer {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.65 "Way of the Samurai"]] along with the rest of the Japanese Ground Forces Tree. The vehicle, known by its full designation as the ''Imperial Japanese Army Type 4 15cm self-propelled gun Ho-Ro'' (Original Text: 日本語: 四式十五糎自走砲 ホロ), is an open-topped SPG with a short-barreled 150 mm howitzer, based on the [[Chi-Ha]] chassis and running gear.
+
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' ({{Annotation|四式十五糎自走砲「ホロ」|Yon Shiki Jūgo Senchi Jisōhō "Ho-Ro"}}) is an open-topped self-propelled gun with a short-barreled 150 mm howitzer, based on the [[Chi-Ha]]. Being pressed instantly into service on its creation, a dozen or so were shipped to the Philippines together with the newly formed 1st Self-Propelled Artillery Company. While it did see combat with several confirmed Sherman destructions, it was effectively used in close-quarter combat rather than as an artillery piece, firing at Shermans at 100-200 m range in smokey and low visibility scenarios, and repositioning on each shot. Arriving in Dec 1944, the last Ho-Ro squad served until knocked out in Mar 1945 with the remainder of the company fighting until the end in the mountains as regular infantry.
  
−
The name "Ho-Ro" translates roughly to ''Gun Two'', or more properly, ''Self Propelled Gun Number 2''.<ref name="FTRecordJapaneseNames">Silentstalker. "Japanese Tank Nomenclature." For the Record. WordPress, 06 Dec. 2013. Web. 15 Jan. 2017. [http://ftr.wot-news.com/2013/12/06/japanese-tank-nomenclature/ Website]</ref>
+
Since its introduction in [[Update 1.65 "Way of the Samurai"]], the Ho-Ro has gained a reputation for being one of the most powerful howitzer-equipped SPGs in the game despite its low battle-rating, right up there with the beloved [[KV-2 (Family)|KV-2]]. It is capable of destroying or severely disabling any opponent it meets (or more often ambushes), even against top-tier vehicles, mainly due to its extremely effective high-explosive shell. This is balanced, however, by the shell's low velocity, forcing the player to lob the shell in an arc at their opponent even for a short distance, and the vehicle's light armour and limited gun traverse compared to other SPGs.
−
 
 
−
Since its introduction into War Thunder, the Ho-Ro has gained a reputation for being one of the most powerful howitzer-equipped SPGs in the game despite its low battle-rating, right up there with the beloved [[KV-2 (Family)|KV-2]]. It is capable of destroying or severely disabling any opponent it meets (or more often ambushes), even against top-tier vehicles. This is mainly due to its extremely effective high-explosive shell, however this is balanced by the shell's low velocity, forcing the player to literally lob the shell in an arc at their opponent even for a short distance, and the vehicle's light armour and limited gun traverse compared to other SPGs.
 
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
Line 58: Line 56:
 
|-
 
|-
 
! ''Arcade''
 
! ''Arcade''
−
| rowspan="2" | 28 || rowspan="2" | -10°/+20° || rowspan="2" | ±5° || rowspan="2" | N/A || 5.3 || 7.3 || 8.9 || 9.8 || 10.4 || rowspan="2" | 17.29 || rowspan="2" | 15.30 || rowspan="2" | 14.10 || rowspan="2" | 13.30
+
| rowspan="2" | 24 || rowspan="2" | -10°/+20° || rowspan="2" | ±5° || rowspan="2" | N/A || 5.3 || 7.3 || 8.9 || 9.8 || 10.4 || rowspan="2" | 17.29 || rowspan="2" | 15.30 || rowspan="2" | 14.10 || rowspan="2" | 13.30
 
|-
 
|-
 
! ''Realistic''
 
! ''Realistic''
Line 69: Line 67:
  
 
==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
 
==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
−
[[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.png|right|thumb|250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]
+
[[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]
−
<!-- '''Last updated:''' -->
+
<!-- '''Last updated: 2.27.2.51''' -->
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
|-
 
|-
Line 78: Line 76:
 
! 2nd<br>rack empty
 
! 2nd<br>rack empty
 
! 3rd<br>rack empty
 
! 3rd<br>rack empty
−
! 4th<br>rack empty
 
 
! Visual<br>discrepancy
 
! Visual<br>discrepancy
 
|-
 
|-
−
| '''28''' || ''Projectiles''<br>''Propellants'' || 22&nbsp;''(+6)''<br>22&nbsp;''(+6)'' || 14&nbsp;''(+14)''<br>14&nbsp;''(+14)'' || 10 &nbsp;''(+18)''<br>10&nbsp;''(+18)'' || 1&nbsp;''(+27)''<br>1&nbsp;''(+27)'' || No
+
| '''24''' || ''Projectiles''<br>''Propellants'' || 17&nbsp;''(+7)''<br>1&nbsp;''(+23)'' || 9&nbsp;''(+15)''<br>N/A || 1&nbsp;''(+23)''<br>N/A || No
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
−
'''Note''':
+
'''Notes''':
  
 
* The {{PAGENAME}} uses two-piece ammunition, composed of propellant bags (orange) and projectiles (yellow). Both have separate racks.
 
* The {{PAGENAME}} uses two-piece ammunition, composed of propellant bags (orange) and projectiles (yellow). Both have separate racks.
 +
* Both projectiles and propellant bags are modeled individually and disappear after having been shot or loaded.
 +
{{Clear}}
  
 
=== Machine guns ===
 
=== Machine guns ===
Line 105: Line 104:
 
== Usage in battles ==
 
== Usage in battles ==
 
<!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' -->
 
<!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' -->
−
The Ho-Ro is a fairly manoeuvrable SPG, and like many other open-topped vehicles, this is not one that should charge into the front-lines. Just like many of the other low-rank Japanese vehicles, it has no real armour protection from anything more than rifle-calibre MGs, and its ammo storage is literally a box mounted on top of the engine deck. The crew is very exposed, and the gun breech is mounted rather high on the chassis and can be easily knocked out. With this knowledge in mind, the Ho-Ro is best played by staying in the rear (but not distantly) of friendly tanks as short-range or point-blank artillery fire, along with finding hidden positions where it can attempt to be hull-down out of sight of the enemy.
+
The Ho-Ro is a fairly manoeuvrable SPG, and like many other open-topped vehicles, this is not one that should charge into the front-lines. Just like many of the other low-rank Japanese vehicles, it has no real armour protection from anything more than rifle-calibre MGs, and its ammo storage is literally a box mounted on top of the engine deck. The crew is very exposed, and the gun breech is mounted rather high on the chassis and can be easily knocked out. With this knowledge in mind, the Ho-Ro is best played by staying in the rear (but not distantly) of friendly tanks for short-range or point-blank artillery fire, along with finding hidden positions where it can attempt to be hull-down out of sight of the enemy.
  
−
Due to its low-velocity shell, the gun often needs to be aimed higher than the commander estimates when performing direct-fire onto a target, but this also allows the vehicle to lob shells from behind shallow hills, out of the sight from opponents that may be camping or pushing into friendly territory on the other side. However, because its HE shell is so powerful, it is extremely risky to fire directly next to or very close to an enemy vehicle, as the light armour may not protect the crew, and the blast from the explosion it will certainly deal damage to the vehicle itself. The gun, while powerful, cannot traverse very far to either side, so in order to fire on tanks that are outside of the arc of the gun's horizontal traverse, the entire hull must be traversed as well. The recoil of the gun is also an issue, as it throws the vehicle backwards rather severely, which means it loses target acquisition every time it fires.
+
Due to its low-velocity shell, the gun often needs to be aimed higher than the commander estimates when performing direct fire onto a target, but this also allows the vehicle to lob shells from behind shallow hills, out of the sight from opponents that may be camping or pushing into friendly territory on the other side. However, because its HE shell is so powerful, it is extremely risky to fire directly next to or very close to an enemy vehicle, as the light armour may not protect the crew, and the blast from the explosion it will certainly deal damage to the vehicle itself. The gun, while powerful, cannot traverse very far to either side, so to fire on tanks that are outside the arc of the gun's horizontal traverse, the entire hull must be traversed as well. The recoil of the gun is also an issue, as it throws the vehicle backwards rather severely, which means it loses target acquisition every time it fires.
  
−
One interesting note is the pintle-mounted MG on the roof, which has good elevation and a much wider range of horizontal fire than the main gun, which can be useful on spotting enemy tanks for team-mates or dealing with [[:Category:Anti-aircraft_vehicles|SPAA]]s that have exposed crew members. However, it has a slower rate of fire than most other rifle-calibre MGs and its magazine capacity is pitiful. In conclusion, the Ho-Ro is a very defensive vehicle suited to supporting friendly tanks and ambushing the enemy on paths where they may attempt to flank around the map.
+
One interesting note is the pintle-mounted MG on the roof, which has good elevation and a much wider range of horizontal fire than the main gun, which can be useful on spotting enemy tanks for teammates or dealing with [[:Category:Anti-aircraft_vehicles|SPAA]]s that have exposed crew members. However, it has a slower rate of fire than most other rifle-calibre MGs and its magazine capacity is pitiful. In conclusion, the Ho-Ro is a very defensive vehicle suited to supporting friendly tanks and ambushing the enemy on paths where they may attempt to flank around the map.
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
Line 116: Line 115:
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
  
−
* 150 mm howitzer makes it an intimidating foe
+
* 150 mm short barreled howitzer
−
* Howitzer's round trajectory makes it able to fire over hills
+
** Low velocity and high arc allows to fire over hills and cover
−
* Large TNT filler in its HE shell
+
** High TNT filler
−
* HE load can cause sufficient splash and shrapnel damage even if the shell doesn't directly hit the target
+
*** Ability to destroy any tank
−
* Can destroy most, if not all, vehicles by shooting HE just under an enemy tank and hitting the thin belly armour
+
*** Can cause sufficient indirect splash and shrapnel damage on non-direct hits
−
* Can deter inattentive flak trucks or any vehicles with open and exposed crew with its roof-mounted MG
+
* Roof-mounted LMG for self-defence against open tops/trucks
−
* Quick, manoeuvrable in both AB and RB, though slightly sluggish to put into gear in the latter
+
* Fair manoeuvrability for a self-propelled howitzer
−
* Good gun depression
 
−
* HE Shell will destroy any vehicle you come up against
 
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
  
−
* Super thin armour, extremely vulnerable to heavy machine guns, SPAAs, and aircraft
+
* Thinly armoured
−
* Extreme blast radius can destroy the vehicle if fired too close to oneself
+
** The extreme blast radius of the shell can destroy the vehicle itself at close range
−
* Ammo Rack is literally a box behind the crew on top of the engine deck, leading to some very explosive ends if hit there
+
** Gun crew is exposed from the rear
 +
* Additional ammo rack is a rather exposed box on top of the engine
 
* Massive recoil causes the vehicle to be launched backwards after firing, requiring aiming adjustment after every shot
 
* Massive recoil causes the vehicle to be launched backwards after firing, requiring aiming adjustment after every shot
−
* Horizontal traverse is disappointing
+
* Standard Japanese LMG with limited ammo
−
* Very slow muzzle velocity and limited range
+
* Tall silhouette makes easy to spot
−
* At long range, the shells have a habit of bouncing harmlessly off armour surfaces without exploding
+
*Terrible gun depression of -5 degrees, making it ineffective on hilly terrain slopes
−
* AP Shell lacking in penetration for the calibre relies more on HE power
+
*Prone to tipping over in Arcade Battles when turning the hull at maximum speed
 +
*Very long reload time of 17 seconds (13 in ace crew), the longest among all Tier I tank destroyers
 +
*It does not have a stabilizer, it must be completely stationary to shoot accurately
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
 
<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' -->
 
<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' -->
  
−
The Type 4 Ho-Ro was a Self Propelled Gun developed by the Imperial Japanese Army based off of the German Grille series. It was developed off the Type 97 Chi-Ha chassis and used a 150 mm Kruppe gun, considered outdated by 1942. It was used to combat American forces. Only few were made, and out of those few 8 were sunk with a Japanese ship somewhere in the Pacific. Usually deployed in groups of 4, it was used in the Philippines during late 1944 and then used in ones and twos on Okinawa, with a somewhat great affect. It was ineffective due to its 3 degrees of gun swing and 30 degrees of depression because of the gun mounts design. That gave it a small firing distance of 6,000 m. It also could only fire 5 shells per minute because of the breechloader.
+
The Type 4 Ho-Ro was a Self Propelled Gun developed by the Imperial Japanese Army, based off the German Grille series. It was developed off the Type 97 Chi-Ha chassis and used a 150 mm Krupp gun, considered outdated by 1942. It was used to combat American forces. Only a few were made, and out of those few, 8 were sunk with a Japanese ship somewhere in the Pacific. Usually deployed in groups of 4, it was used in the Philippines during late 1944 and then used in ones and twos on Okinawa, to a somewhat great effect. It was ineffective due to its 3 degrees of gun swing and 30 degrees of depression because of the gun mount's design. That gave it a small firing distance of 6,000 m. It also could only fire 5 shells per minute because of the breech-loader.
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
Line 153: Line 153:
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
−
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
+
<!--''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
 +
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
 +
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''-->
 +
 
 +
;Related Development
 +
 
 +
* [[Chi-Ha (Family)]]
  
−
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
+
;Tanks of comparable role, configuration, and era
−
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
+
 
 +
* [[File:Germany flag.png|30px|link=]] [[15cm sIG 33 B Sfl]]
 +
* [[File:Sweden flag.png|30px|link=]] [[Spj fm/43-44]]
 +
* [[File:Britain flag.png|30px|link=]] [[Alecto I]]
 +
* [[File:Italy flag.png|30px|link=]] [[Lancia 3Ro (100/17)]]
 +
* [[File:USSR flag.png|30px|link=]] [[SU-122]]
  
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==

Latest revision as of 17:51, 20 November 2024

Rank 7 USA
F-5C Pack
Ho-Ro
jp_type_4_ho_ro.png
GarageImage Ho-Ro.jpg
ArtImage Ho-Ro.png
Ho-Ro
Japan flag.png Japan
I Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
1.3 1.3 1.3
Class:
Research:2 900 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:700 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

The Type 4 Ho-Ro (四式十五糎自走砲「ホロ」) is an open-topped self-propelled gun with a short-barreled 150 mm howitzer, based on the Chi-Ha. Being pressed instantly into service on its creation, a dozen or so were shipped to the Philippines together with the newly formed 1st Self-Propelled Artillery Company. While it did see combat with several confirmed Sherman destructions, it was effectively used in close-quarter combat rather than as an artillery piece, firing at Shermans at 100-200 m range in smokey and low visibility scenarios, and repositioning on each shot. Arriving in Dec 1944, the last Ho-Ro squad served until knocked out in Mar 1945 with the remainder of the company fighting until the end in the mountains as regular infantry.

Since its introduction in Update 1.65 "Way of the Samurai", the Ho-Ro has gained a reputation for being one of the most powerful howitzer-equipped SPGs in the game despite its low battle-rating, right up there with the beloved KV-2. It is capable of destroying or severely disabling any opponent it meets (or more often ambushes), even against top-tier vehicles, mainly due to its extremely effective high-explosive shell. This is balanced, however, by the shell's low velocity, forcing the player to lob the shell in an arc at their opponent even for a short distance, and the vehicle's light armour and limited gun traverse compared to other SPGs.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armourfront / side / back
Hull25 / 25 / 20
Turret25 / 20 / 0
Crew4 people
Visibility75 %

Armour type:

  • Rolled homogeneous armour
Armour Front Sides Rear Roof
Hull 12 mm (80°) Front glacis
15 mm (63°) Joint plate
25 mm (37-64°) Lower glacis 		25 mm (28-36°) Top Left
25 mm (25-26°) Top Right
20 mm Bottom 		17 mm (70°)
20 mm (4-69°) 		8.5-12 mm
Turret 25 mm (15°) 20 mm (0-11°) N/A 12 mm

Notes:

  • Suspension wheels and tracks are both 15 mm thick.

Mobility

Speedforward / back
AB44 / 21 km/h
RB and SB40 / 19 km/h
Number of gears8 forward
2 back
Weight14.8 t
Engine power
AB324 hp
RB and SB170 hp
Power-to-weight ratio
AB21.9 hp/t
RB and SB11.5 hp/t
Game Mode Max Speed (km/h) Weight (tons) Engine power (horsepower) Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Forward Reverse Stock Upgraded Stock Upgraded
Arcade 44 21 14.8 241 324 16.28 21.89
Realistic 40 19 150 170 10.14 11.49

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB93 → 115 Sl icon.png
RB107 → 132 Sl icon.png
SB126 → 155 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications2 970 Rp icon.png
895 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost190 Ge icon.png
Crew training200 Sl icon.png
Experts1 000 Sl icon.png
Aces20 Ge icon.png
Research Aces96 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
10 / 20 / 20 % Sl icon.png
100 / 100 / 100 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Mobility Protection Firepower
Mods new tank traks.png
Tracks
Research:
200 Rp icon.png
Cost:
60 Sl icon.png
45 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank suspension.png
Suspension
Research:
165 Rp icon.png
Cost:
50 Sl icon.png
40 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank break.png
Brake System
Research:
165 Rp icon.png
Cost:
50 Sl icon.png
40 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank filter.png
Filters
Research:
250 Rp icon.png
Cost:
75 Sl icon.png
60 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank transmission.png
Transmission
Research:
480 Rp icon.png
Cost:
145 Sl icon.png
110 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank engine.png
Engine
Research:
480 Rp icon.png
Cost:
145 Sl icon.png
110 Ge icon.png
Mods tank tool kit.png
Improved Parts
Research:
200 Rp icon.png
Cost:
60 Sl icon.png
45 Ge icon.png
Mods extinguisher.png
Improved FPE
Research:
165 Rp icon.png
Cost:
50 Sl icon.png
40 Ge icon.png
Mods tank reinforcement jp.png
Crew Replenishment
Research:
250 Rp icon.png
Cost:
75 Sl icon.png
60 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank horizontal aiming.png
Horizontal Drive
Research:
200 Rp icon.png
Cost:
60 Sl icon.png
45 Ge icon.png
Mods tank cannon.png
Adjustment of Fire
Research:
165 Rp icon.png
Cost:
50 Sl icon.png
40 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank vertical aiming.png
Elevation Mechanism
Research:
250 Rp icon.png
Cost:
75 Sl icon.png
60 Ge icon.png

Armaments

Main armament

150 mm Type 38 howitzer
Ammunition24 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
17.3 → 13.3 s
Vertical guidance-5° / 30°
Horizontal guidance-5° / 5°
Main article: Type 38 (150 mm)
150 mm Type 38 Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode Capacity Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 24 -10°/+20° ±5° N/A 5.3 7.3 8.9 9.8 10.4 17.29 15.30 14.10 13.30
Realistic 3.6 4.2 5.1 5.6 6.0

Ammunition

Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead 		Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
10 m 100 m 500 m 1,000 m 1,500 m 2,000 m
Type 95 APHE APHE 38 37 35 33 31 31
Type 92 HE HE 55 55 55 55 55 55
Shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead 		Velocity
(m/s) 		Projectile
mass (kg) 		Fuse delay
(m) 		Fuse sensitivity
(mm) 		Explosive mass
(TNT equivalent) (kg) 		Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
Type 95 APHE APHE 290 36.1 1.2 19 2.6 47° 60° 65°
Type 92 HE HE 290 36 0 0.1 7.02 79° 80° 81°

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the Ho-Ro
Full
ammo 		Ammo
part 		1st
rack empty 		2nd
rack empty 		3rd
rack empty 		Visual
discrepancy
24 Projectiles
Propellants 		17 (+7)
1 (+23) 		9 (+15)
N/A 		1 (+23)
N/A 		No

Notes:

  • The Ho-Ro uses two-piece ammunition, composed of propellant bags (orange) and projectiles (yellow). Both have separate racks.
  • Both projectiles and propellant bags are modeled individually and disappear after having been shot or loaded.

Machine guns

7.7 mm Type 97 machine gun
Ammunition3 000 rounds
Belt capacity20 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
3.9 → 3.0 s
Fire rate499 shots/min
Main article: Type 97 (7.7 mm)
7.7 mm Type 97
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Pintle 3,000 (20) 499 -10°/+60° ±60°

Usage in battles

The Ho-Ro is a fairly manoeuvrable SPG, and like many other open-topped vehicles, this is not one that should charge into the front-lines. Just like many of the other low-rank Japanese vehicles, it has no real armour protection from anything more than rifle-calibre MGs, and its ammo storage is literally a box mounted on top of the engine deck. The crew is very exposed, and the gun breech is mounted rather high on the chassis and can be easily knocked out. With this knowledge in mind, the Ho-Ro is best played by staying in the rear (but not distantly) of friendly tanks for short-range or point-blank artillery fire, along with finding hidden positions where it can attempt to be hull-down out of sight of the enemy.

Due to its low-velocity shell, the gun often needs to be aimed higher than the commander estimates when performing direct fire onto a target, but this also allows the vehicle to lob shells from behind shallow hills, out of the sight from opponents that may be camping or pushing into friendly territory on the other side. However, because its HE shell is so powerful, it is extremely risky to fire directly next to or very close to an enemy vehicle, as the light armour may not protect the crew, and the blast from the explosion it will certainly deal damage to the vehicle itself. The gun, while powerful, cannot traverse very far to either side, so to fire on tanks that are outside the arc of the gun's horizontal traverse, the entire hull must be traversed as well. The recoil of the gun is also an issue, as it throws the vehicle backwards rather severely, which means it loses target acquisition every time it fires.

One interesting note is the pintle-mounted MG on the roof, which has good elevation and a much wider range of horizontal fire than the main gun, which can be useful on spotting enemy tanks for teammates or dealing with SPAAs that have exposed crew members. However, it has a slower rate of fire than most other rifle-calibre MGs and its magazine capacity is pitiful. In conclusion, the Ho-Ro is a very defensive vehicle suited to supporting friendly tanks and ambushing the enemy on paths where they may attempt to flank around the map.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • 150 mm short barreled howitzer
    • Low velocity and high arc allows to fire over hills and cover
    • High TNT filler
      • Ability to destroy any tank
      • Can cause sufficient indirect splash and shrapnel damage on non-direct hits
  • Roof-mounted LMG for self-defence against open tops/trucks
  • Fair manoeuvrability for a self-propelled howitzer

Cons:

  • Thinly armoured
    • The extreme blast radius of the shell can destroy the vehicle itself at close range
    • Gun crew is exposed from the rear
  • Additional ammo rack is a rather exposed box on top of the engine
  • Massive recoil causes the vehicle to be launched backwards after firing, requiring aiming adjustment after every shot
  • Standard Japanese LMG with limited ammo
  • Tall silhouette makes easy to spot
  • Terrible gun depression of -5 degrees, making it ineffective on hilly terrain slopes
  • Prone to tipping over in Arcade Battles when turning the hull at maximum speed
  • Very long reload time of 17 seconds (13 in ace crew), the longest among all Tier I tank destroyers
  • It does not have a stabilizer, it must be completely stationary to shoot accurately

History

The Type 4 Ho-Ro was a Self Propelled Gun developed by the Imperial Japanese Army, based off the German Grille series. It was developed off the Type 97 Chi-Ha chassis and used a 150 mm Krupp gun, considered outdated by 1942. It was used to combat American forces. Only a few were made, and out of those few, 8 were sunk with a Japanese ship somewhere in the Pacific. Usually deployed in groups of 4, it was used in the Philippines during late 1944 and then used in ones and twos on Okinawa, to a somewhat great effect. It was ineffective due to its 3 degrees of gun swing and 30 degrees of depression because of the gun mount's design. That gave it a small firing distance of 6,000 m. It also could only fire 5 shells per minute because of the breech-loader.

Media

Skins
Videos
High-explosive power discusses the Ho-Ro at 5:23 - War Thunder Official Channel

See also

Related Development
Tanks of comparable role, configuration, and era

External links

References


Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (三菱重工業株式会社)
Light Tanks 
Type 95  Ha-Go · Ha-Go Commander
Medium Tanks 
Type 89  I-Go Ko
Type 97  Chi-Ha · Chi-Ha Kai
Type 1  Chi-He · Chi-He (5th Regiment)
Type 3  Chi-Nu · Chi-Nu II
Type 4  Chi-To · Chi-To Late
Type 5  Chi-Ri II
SPGs 
Chi-Ha Derived  Ho-Ro
Chi-He Derived  Ho-I
Chi-Ri Derived  Ho-Ri Prototype · Ho-Ri Production
Other  Na-To · Ro-Go Exp.
Captured  ␗Chi-Ha · ␗Chi-Ha Kai
Note  Most tank designs would be contracted by the Army Technical Bureau to Mitsubishi
See also  Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. (Post-War)

Japan tank destroyers
Ro-Go Derivatives  Ro-Go Exp.
Chi-Ha Derivatives  Ho-Ni I · Ho-Ni III · Ho-Ro · Chi-Ha LG
Ho-Ri  Ho-Ri Prototype · Ho-Ri Production
Other  Na-To
JGSDF 
SPRG  Type 60 (C)
SPH  Type 75 · Type 99
ATGM  Type 60 ATM
Rocket  Type 75 MLRS
USA  ▅M36

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