2nd Sino-Japanese Wargame (1930s)

Having recently recruited a third battalion of Chinese Nationalist infantry, it was time to stage a wargame. In a previous WW2 game I had adopted a very simple air support system. It involved dropping a cut-out paper bomb from about three foot above the table, the irregularity and fluttering bomb proved to be great fun, and an interesting distraction from the dice. As for the results, they were arguably rather authentic too.

SCENARIO

It is the late 1930s, and a Japanese brigade is seeking to secure an important railway line in China. The Japanese commander's force comprises one battalion of elite infantry, another of line infantry, and a third of pioneer/railway repair infantry. He also has a light tank and an armoured car. More novel, he is supported by an armoured train, with a medium gun. And he may also request air support if meeting any stiff opposition (a dice throw each move, a six will confirm its arrival).

Opposing the Japanese is a brigade commander of the Chinese Nationalist Army.  He has attempted to fortify a railway station. Under his command is three line battalions, a field gun with an elite crew, and a locally made armoured car. He too has been informed that air support is available should he come under attack by a large number of Japanese (a dice throw will determine its arrival). I should add, there is a number of local police armed with HMGs at the station.

OK, a slight liberty here, the air support is permitted to stay for four moves! And on each move they may drop a bomb and strafe an enemy target. 

THE JAPANESE COME INTO VIEW

MOVE ONE The Japanese advanced. The Chinese commander spotted the Japanese armour and called for air support. MOVE TWO The Chinese gun opened fire on the armoured train, it was a direct hit (D6) but in the follow-on dice, just a crew member was injured. The Japanese advanced, and also called up air support. MOVE THREE The Japanese widened their front, and the train and tank opened fire. The Chinese gun replied. MOVE FOUR In a headlong rush, the Japanese armour advanced, leaving their infantry behind. But heads were raised when a Chinese plane appeared, its bomb fell wide but its HMG took down a soldier. Four machine guns opened up on the light tank, with a measure of success, another crewman was injured (it's a small, early designed tank). A Japanese LMG fired on the plane, putting a few shots through the wing! MOVE FIVE Lots of firing but few casualties! However, the third crewman in the Japanese light tank is silenced!

Situation as of move five.

MOVE SIX The Japanese infantry continued to advance. I don't believe it, the Chinese plane has just dropped a bomb on the Chinese held signal cabin, causing a casualty! Some medium mortars were now in range. But where is the Japanese airforce? MOVE SEVEN Now the Chinese plane did its job, the bomb took out the pioneer LMG crew, and strafed a rifleman, the whole battalion scarpered! The plane now departed the field, I think the pilot was waving his arms? MOVE EIGHT The Chinese commander requested further air support. But it was not required, in the round of firing the Chinese infantry threw only D5s and D6s, the Japanese had no cover and fell under this hail of shot. Even their armoured car was silenced. While the Chinese suffered hardly a casualty. With both remaining Japanese battalions reduced to half strength, GAME OVER.

Casualties were Japanese twenty-one, Chinese thirteen. A further nine Japanese were routing. (I suspect there will be one more added to the Japanese losses?) A very enjoyable, fast moving game, and only lasting two hours. I would like to play this game again!

The Victor

The Defeated

                                                                  NEW ACQUISITIONS 

My local collectables trader generously donated nine toy soldiers to my collection, just for classifying and bagging a box of mixed figures. I really did not deserve this, and was only too happy to help. However, I was determined to purchase something in return.

A recent arrival in his shop were a quantity of Lord of the Rings characters, the scale being 54mm. A quick view led me to believe the Lady Galadriel, Queen of the Wood Elves, would make a splendid and useful Medieval queen. It cost £4, and no painting required.

I'm now wondering about others in this range!

My second purchase was this rather nice tin No.2 double arm railway signal, in O Gauge. It looks perfect with my toy soldiers and Timpo railway items. It cost £16, and came with its original Hornby-Meccano red cardboard box (code no.42361). Probably made in the 1930s-40s.

Finally, I put together another stand for my tin aircraft, these really do enhance the table setting and atmosphere.

MGB

REPLYING TO FRIENDS

Thanks Donnie. I just completed the game this morning. It is the first outing for my Japanese and Chinese armies. Having the battalions on both sides in distinct uniforms really does help with the calculations for morale. I sort of wish the Japanese airforce had also made an appearance, oh well, next time!