At the end of World war II the US forces requested that the Japanese concentrate their equipment for disarmamment. All tanks were parked for inspection on the Etscheidt property outside Kolonia, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia. This is where they remain to the present day. Several of the tanks were pulled out of the undergrowth and aligned in a row in 1995. Two of the tanks were pulled under cover (nos 3 and 8) and one tank has been moved into the centre of town where it is now arranged next to the post office. The tanks are private property, purchased at auction from the US Navy in the 1950s.

A brief visit in October 1999 allowed a brief inspection and the taking of a few photographs. These are the focus of this web page. Clicking on each image will load the full-size version. Some of these tanks have since been vannibalised in order to rstore one them to working condition (see Gadja 2001).

Figure 1. Nine Type 95 Light Tanks, Japanese Tank Farm, Kolonia, Pohnpei.

Note the alignment of the tanks ready for inspection. Since the war all tanks have been numbered. Tank no12 has been pulled out.

(Photograph © 1999 Dirk H.R.Spennemann).

Figure 2. Type 95 Light Tanks, Japanese Tank Farm, Kolonia, Pohnpei.

Note thhe heavily overgrown state of the tanks. The fact that most of the hatches in the turret are wide open allows access of rainwater into the tank body which will accelerate corrosion.

(Photograph © 1999 Dirk H.R.Spennemann).

Figure 3. Type 95 Light Tanks, Japanese Tank Farm, Kolonia, Pohnpei.

Close-up of tanks no. 9, 14 and 10.

(Photograph © 1999 Dirk H.R.Spennemann).

Figure 4. Type 95 Light Tank, Japanese Tank Farm, Kolonia, Pohnpei.

Front view of tank no. 3, which has been placed under a shelter.

(Photograph © 1999 Dirk H.R.Spennemann).

Figure 4. Type 95 Light Tank, Japanese Tank Farm, Kolonia, Pohnpei.

Rear view of tank no. 3, which has been placed under a shelter. Note the tree growth in the tank body.

(Photograph © 1999 Dirk H.R.Spennemann).

Figure 6. Type 95 Light Tank, Japanese Tank Farm, Kolonia, Pohnpei.

Rear view of tank no. 3, which has been placed under a shelter. Note the tree growth in the tank body and the associated root damage

(Photograph © 1999 Dirk H.R.Spennemann).

Figure 7. Type 95 Light Tank, Japanese Tank Farm, Kolonia, Pohnpei.

Rear view of tank no. 8, which has been placed under a shelter.

(Photograph © 1999 Dirk H.R.Spennemann).

Figure 8. Type 95 Light Tank, Post Office, Kolonia, Pohnpei.

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(Photograph © 1999 Dirk H.R.Spennemann).

Figure 9. Type 95 Light Tank, Kolonia, Pohnpei.

This tank was photographed in 1973 by Dr. James P. McVey, NOAA Sea Grant Program

(Photograph © 1973 Dr. James P. McVey, NOAA Sea Grant Program. Source: http://www.photolib.noaa.gov/mvey/mvey0151.htm).