CHINESE NATIONALIST ARMY 1930s-40s

Thanks to the kind donation of some unpainted Airfix figures by Mark, of the ManofTin Blog, have just completed my third battalion of Chinese Nationalist infantry. I'm looking forward to staging my first wargame set in the 2nd Sino-Japanese War.

The figures are mainly my conversions of Airfix Japanese, having been given German Afrika Korps fatigue hats and helmets and British 8th Army Tommy helmets. When it came to painting the uniforms, decided this third battalion should have shades of khaki, as their distinction. The Chinese adopted a several seasonal uniforms, but all of these came in at least three colours. And if that was not enough, issues then arose in producing a uniform dye, and coupled with fading, this increased further the range of potential colours. I have one battalion in their original 'grass green' issue, another in the popular bright blue, and the third has been given a range of khaki shades. (Distinct battalions will help me in working out game casualties.)

There is a superb video on Youtube which really does help clarify and classify the uniforms adopted by the Chinese during WW2. It is strongly recommended, even if it is not your period of interest.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6POc4yxKV4

So here is my Chinese Nationalist Army, note the use of both German and British style helmets, now that is something you don't often see!

The vehicle is a converted civilian die-cast car. Local Chinese warlords are known to have constructed ad hoc armoured cars.

To the three battalions above, I can add a colonial British unit in Desert uniforms. These were supplied to entire brigades of Chinese via Burma. (see right figure). 

Strangely, I can also add a small unit of British WW1 infantry, these can represent the Shanghai Volunteer Corps 1932-42, comprising independent companies raised from the foreign merchant communities in the city.... here are some members of the Independent Jewish Company.

MGB

REPLYING TO COMMENTS FROM FRIENDS

Thanks MJT. It's something a bit different, a theatre from the Second World War which is often overlooked. And the Chinese certainly ended up with some bold uniforms. Yes, it was a broken civilian car, perfect for a conversion!

Thanks Donnie, I needed to do something with these figures which would catch my interest. When I fight WW2 actions I rarely use more than three battalions, and a few independent companies per side. I do like their distinctive uniform colours, but a few more flags would be even more colourful.

They most certainly have, Mark. With two new units having already been recruited from your kind donation, I have plans for the following, (bagged and ready).....

Gurkha Battalion 12

A second US Para battalion, understrength, 8

British Para Regiment command 2

 Two companies of British-Polish Paras 6

 British Military Police recruits 3

 Indian National Army recruits 3 or 7

 US Para command for my first battalion 2 

Thanks again for your support!

Thanks Brad, for the morale boost. I think this collection is pretty well finished, perhaps a handful more armed police would be interesting. Next step, to see them used in a wargame!!!!!

Hello Roger. I picked up the broken die-cast car for £5.20 in April 2021. I originally only wanted the wheels but then decided it was too good to scrap. Completed it about a month later. The additions were made out of plastic-card, and a plastic bottle cap. Here is a photo.

I think, Roger, the making something out of rubbish, or broken toys is a vital part of my hobby!