Opposing U.S. armor on Iwo Jima were three companies and a headquarters section of the 26th. Tank Regiment. Led by Lieutenant Colonel Takeichi Nishi, the force contained twelve Type 95 Ha-Go light tanks and eleven Type 97 Chi-Ha medium tanks. A handful of the medium tanks were the improved Type 97-Kai which featured an enlarged turret which mounted a Type 1 47mm gun. He deployed 1st. Company to the southern portion of the island, sent 2nd. Company to the western section of the island, and 3rd. Company (including the HQ) set up in the rear in the eastern portion of Iwo Jima. Nishi wanted to keep the Type 97-Kai tanks, due to their better performance against the M4 Sherman, as a mobile reserve, shifting them to where they were needed. However, this was denied and he was ordered to construct pits and drive the Type 97-Kai tanks into them to create pillboxes.
From February 20 to March 1, 1945, the 1st. Company engaged U.S. Marines from the V Amphibious Corps supported by armor. The last of 1st. Company was wiped out at Hill 328. The Chi-Ha shown in the photograph was one of the knocked out 1st. Company tanks. The standard Type 97 (as this tank was) used a 57mm gun which showed up poorly in terms of armor penetration and range due to its low velocity. 2nd. Company, their tanks having been hidden within caves, rolled out to give battle to elements of the 21st. Marine Regiment, 3rd. Marine Division on February 28. Although taken by surprise, the Marines quickly decimated the tanks using M1 bazookas.
What was left of the 26th. Tank Regiment assembled in the village of Maruman. By March 20, the unit was practically devoid of tanks and had been fighting as infantry. Nishi did not survive the Battle of Iwo Jima yet how he died remains a mystery to this day.
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