Type 96 15 Cm Howitzer

The Type 96 15 cm howitzer (九六式十五糎榴弾砲, Kyūroku-shiki Jyūgo-senchi Ryūdanhō?) was a 149.1 mm calibre howitzer used by the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II. It was intended to replace the Type 4 15 cm howitzer in front line combat units from 1937, although it fired the same ammunition. The Type 96 designation was given to this gun as it was accepted in the year 2596 of the Japanese calendar (1936).