JAPANESE EMPIRE versus DUTCH EMPIRE Wargame

                    JAPANESE NAVAL AND LAND FORCES INVADE DUTCH EAST INDIES

Decided to stage an amphibious linked wargame over several days. Chris was off work this week and took charge of a small but powerful force of Japanese. (Well he does drive a Toyota!) His orders were to seize or neutralise a colonial Dutch coastal settlement. The game was set to run for twelve moves.

The Japanese force comprised a powerful warship, and a transport vessel. The former was carrying a naval landing party (12), the latter carried a battalion of Japanese infantry (12), and two independent companies (6). 

The Dutch garrison comprised a battalion of infantry (12) stationed in the barracks, a naval gun crew with a field piece at the landing place, a river gunboat armed with a medium gun, and an anti-aircraft gun with three crew. There was also a company of local police (3) stationed at the gaol. Their early warning system comprised a spotter at the coastguard office situated at the estuary entrance.

THE INVASION BEGINS

MOVE ONE Chris made no attempt to neutralise the Coastguard position or disembark troops for a land-based assault from the rear, he chose to simply enter the estuary. MOVE TWO Chris came into range of the settlement and decided to open up with his four naval guns. This was indirect fire on the settlement, and at some distance, so the shells fell randomly. (The town was divided into six sections, and each section was divided into six more, two D6 then determined where each shell landed.) MOVE THREE Chris continued to fire his heavy guns, believing the settlement would find it difficult to retaliate. The Police gaol was hit, and they suffered a casualty. A civilian house was also hit. But half of the shells landed in the jungle (numerous parrots being killed and injured). No fires were reported in the buildings, but all four hits in the jungle caused fires to start (D5 or D6).

(During a lull in the fighting, one of the locals actually repainted the door of his house!)

MOVE FOUR The commander of the Dutch garrison sought to return fire, and some ammunition was considered suitable for the anti-aircraft gun to use..... well it's something! The gunboat and field gun decided to also give it a go with some indirect fire. (A similar system as before, but the estuary was divided into eight sections for a D8 to use, each of which was then divided into a further six parts. Note, with the exception of the AA shells any hits on the warship were unlikely to cause serious damage.)

 

The commander then instructed two of his four infantry companies to utilise the battalion truck. One company was to be dropped off at the gaol, while the other was to occupy the house further down the road, with the newly painted door.

Out of direct sight, these were the positions of the Japanese vessels. My plan and hope was to sink a fully manned rowboat, and hold on for twelve moves! When the jungle caught alight, I thought all was going well!

The Japanese now decided to act with vigour. The warship transferred its landing party to two rowboats, and then proceeded around the hook. With guns blazing, there was another indirect hit on the gaol. The last policeman alive decided to scarper, but the infantry remained.

MOVE FIVE This marked the end of Dutch opposition. The warship having passed the hook opened up with all four guns. Two were direct fire, with a hit on the Dutch gunboat, a crewman was lost. Two shells were indirect but by sheer luck still scored a hit on the AA Gun crew. MOVE SIX All four naval guns were firing directly now, two more direct hits (D5, D6) on the gunboat........ it sank! Only one crewman survived.

(The remaining photos are from move nine.)

MOVE SEVEN The naval guns silenced the Dutch gun on the landing place, gun and crew blown to smithereens! (Two direct hits out of four, one of the hits exploding the gun chamber.) 

Obliged to test their morale, the two companies manning the barracks fled for their lives (D2). At this point I lost all resolve to continue fighting and ordered the AA crew to withdraw. MOVES EIGHT and NINE The Japanese store ship and rowboats arrived in the settlement. There was still one position held by Dutch infantry, the gaol, but it was visible to the warship's guns..... I assumed they would surrender!

CONCLUSION

I honestly don't think I have ever thrown such a dismal flow of dice in any game, while Chris steadily threw D5s and D6s. I never once came close to scoring a hit with direct fire, my average dice throw was D2. And my indirect firing on the map was arguably even more distant! Not a single Japanese casualty! Dutch losses were six navy, including the gunboat captain, two infantry, two policemen. a gunboat, field gun, and a newly painted door. The AA gun was also captured intact. I know the warship looks all powerful but on passing the hook I still had three artillery pieces working, and potentially able to do something!. But we both enjoyed the game, and some photos recorded the fun occasion.

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These two card buildings were constructed for the game, based on Chinese houses. 

MGB

DOMINION WAR NEWS, JAPANESE COMMANDOS, NEW BOAT, and more

                           NEGOTIATIONS FOR A CONCLUSION TO THE DOMINION WAR

In Berne, Switzerland, representatives of the United States, and representatives of Great Britain and the Dominions have met face to face to discuss the present conflict. Both sides have indicated their wish for this meeting, and all future meetings will seek to conclude the current hostilities that exist in North America on fair and respectful terms. 

The Commissioners have agreed that the War in North America should be divided into five theatres. A sixth is presently disputed, as the United States is requiring restitution for businesses that have suffered during the Royal Navy blockade, and the Empire has had its proposal for compensation to the government and people of Canada also rejected.

The agreed five theatres are Lower Alaska, British Columbia, Lower Ontario, Ottawa and the border, and the coast of Maine, 

In an attempt to promote good will, both sides have agreed to exchange two captured military units per side in the Ontario area. The Royal Navy will allow civilian shipping to resume from Boston and Rhode Island, on the condition it excludes certain war materials, etc.

The Empire has agreed not to recognise the Spanish occupation of Florida. The United States has declared it will not involve itself in Empire affairs outside the Western Hemisphere.

The Empire and United States have agreed not to use sea mines, and aircraft will not carry out independent bombings. The United States recognises the Kingdom of Hawaii is a sovereign state in alliance with and under the protection of the British Empire.

A LOCAL TREATY IS SIGNED (DICE)

Six scenarios were envisaged for British Columbia. A D6 was thrown. The United States Army lightly besieging Vancouver has agreed to return to American territory. Some measure of compensation will be available for civilian losses sustained during this brief siege. No further military engagements will be enacted in British Columbia, or Washington State. Both sides, however, are permitted to remove their troops for service elsewhere. 

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                                                    JAPANESE AIRBORNE COMMANDOS

Have just reconstituted one of my Japanese infantry battalions into Giretsu Kuteital, or Airborne Commandos. In recognition of their suicidal tendencies , it will be given peculiar wargaming characteristics. On entering the table it will move as normal but on receiving fire, the LMG may choose to return fire, but the rest of the battalion will automatically charge towards the enemy. Moreover, it will continue to charge all opposition, with no requirement to test morale!

Interestingly, in 1945, during the battle of Okinawa, they are known to have smeared black ink, alternatively described as soot, on both their uniforms and accoutrements, as a form of camouflage. I have now painted up a standard bearer, with a flag based on a WW2 Japanese paratrooper badge, and also a cadet parade flag. Black patches have been added to their uniforms. Have chosen the Airfix charging figure to help capture their image.

                                            For purposes of education, no profit, no copyright.

                                                        This is a Paratrooper uniform patch.

This is apparently a WW2 parade flag for Air cadets, 

Mark Felton has an interesting article on these troops..... http://markfelton.co.uk/publishedbooks/suicide-commandos/

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A NEW SAILING BOAT ARRIVES

Very pleased to have picked up a splendid fishing boat from a local charity shop. And it only cost £3. I already had another, slightly smaller. But this one is in perfect condition. All I needed to do is remove the wooden stand and carve away the base, so it rests flat on the board. Will have to consider raising a civilian crew!

And here it is completed, the fixed rudder will be more durable.

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FOOT GUARDS BATTALION

The three guardsmen picked up at Exeter Toy Fair have been painted and integrated. The figures are Crescent box 1488, aka Castle Guard Figures. 

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DISPLAY CANNON

In December last year I picked up several artillery pieces from a local charity shop. They cost only £5 for the pair. However, one of them was a solid brass piece which would have been fixed to a wooden display base. I was able to find a supplier of mahogany bases and felt it was a worthwhile project, although it cost £11 delivered. Still, it is now restored. Steel rods at three locations secured the cannon to the new base. I'm still planning to use it in some games as I feel it captures something of early wargaming. 

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ROYAL NAVY OFFICERS

Thanks to Chris picking up a batch of cheap lead railway figures I've been able to paint up five captains and a midshipman for my retro toy ships.

Original condition, I had to home-cast some arms.

The following are for purposes of education, review, and no profit.......

MGB

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REPLYING TO FRIENDS COMMENTING BELOW

Thank you, Donnie. I like my military units to be clearly identifiable. It speeds up knowing how many casualties a unit has suffered, and do they need a morale test (for most units). I am also keen to add some flags to my Japanese. We know they had regimental colours but practically all were destroyed before capture. Most of those actually taken in action are small personal banners from family and friends. I'm very pleased with the new naval officers.... vital too.

Thanks Brad. It has been a successful spell with some nice additions to include in future games. We both share the same view on the inclusion of flags, they add so much to the table display. The arrival of the railway figures has really cleared a problem, the lack of suitable captains. Concerning the young midshipmen, I think it was the writer 'Farrel' (?) who suggested we like to think all who went before us were just predecessors to our generation, but what if we are just the afterglow of those that came before us? I fear, he might be right.

(Postscript It was actually J. G. Farrell)

Thank you, Roger, for the kind comments. I was contemplating those free WW2 figures you were given by your friend. But it really does depend on what your wargame ambitions are. If you are satisfied with skirmish 'team' type gaming, involving less than a dozen figures per side, then you now have enough for numerous teams. However, if you wish to engage in something that could be described as a battle, this will involve some serious contemplation and calculations, to be followed by research, etc. Not everyone has that wish, space, or the resolve. For what it is worth, I prefer to fight battles, although I fully recognise the fun I have had in some skirmish level games played with others. I do have some suggestions for battle level wargames, if they have some value. 

That's fine, Roger. I thought you might be more inclined towards that style of gaming, so I decided not to leap into potential battle groupings. Skirmish wargaming is arguably much more popular now, I suspect it was role playing games, and later Games Workshop rules during the 1980s which has seen a massive decline in the numbers seeking to fight and command troops in large-scale battles. Well, you now have enough figures for a very large number of platoons, from various nationalities!

Sure, Roger, they could 'just' be used in their original designation, but I too have converted 'odd' contingents. I used some cheap Chinese figures and raised a WW2 Dutch 'purely defensive' army. I converted some other cheapo figures into Ugandan Army and Somali warlord. But I became bored with point-based, even-sided wargames so many years ago. I now prefer games with difficult or even impossible odds to overcome. How can I make the best of a difficult situation? I was more interested in how you 'designated' or 'appointed' some contingents. To give you an example, the thirty 50mm Japanese could be designated an 'island defence force', with figures integrated into interesting defensive models, each a terrain/vignette piece on the gaming table, to be overcome by American landing forces. But I mustn't get involved, lol, each to his own. 

Splendid news, Graham. I have just had a quick view. Great to see some of your 54mm traditional toy soldiers in action. I shall be making regular visits. To be honest, there aren't that many blogs using historical 54mm figures in battles. I often have to wait for Tim (Megablitz), or Brian (Collecting Toy Soldiers) to post some inspirational photos! 

A GENEROUS GIFT ARRIVES

                                                          A BOX OF TOY SOLDIER

I was having a conversation with Mark from the ManofTin Blog (https://manoftinblogtwo.wordpress.com/2024/09/08/the-cupboards-are-emptying/) concerning his plans to organise and display his collection of toy soldiers. He is presently looking at the possibility of constructing some glass fronted shelving. Another person advised, stay clear of some modern furniture, it is all show with inferior materials. Mark later mentioned, he had a quantity of Airfix WW2 figures that were surplus to his requirements, would I like them? Well, I have been carving up a fair number of Airfix figures for quite a few side projects, I said yes.

Mark only lives in the neighbouring county, and it was a quick postal delivery. Rushing to open the box of toy soldiers (lol), the first job was to do an inventory of the contents.

The box contained thirty-three British Paras, eighteen Desert Rats, fifteen Gurkhas, fourteen US Paras, twelve Africa Corps, and twelve Japanese. Now, he did warn me that many had gun damage (near half). Fortunately, those most interesting to the collection, such as the Gurkhas, were in good condition. I was fascinated to see the latter as these were new to me. I now plan to raise a couple of companies, convert a mortar crew, and also use the LMG figure. As for the others, I'm going to look at what might be achieved with head swaps...... something different, something interesting to paint. I'm tempted to convert the Desert Rats into Indian National Army (Anti British Empire Indians). And I may convert the Japanese into some more 1930s Chinese Nationalists. Lots of ideas to contemplate on.

Thank you, Mark, for your generosity.

                                                           W. BRITAINS ACW GUN

Well pleased with this project. The Britains ACW gun recently picked up for £7.20 is now repaired. Have attached it to another to form my US Light Artillery battery c.1870-1900. )

(The figures are mainly Herald Guardsmen which I converted some time back.)

The missing gun cascabel is replaced. Yes, I also painted the gun, it looks nicer! 

DEETAIL JAPANESE BUGLER

I was gifted this toy soldier on purchasing some others in good condition. As it was missing an arm holding the rifle, decided to use a metal spare arm with a bugle. This gives me seven figures, so I will be seeking out another to complete two companies.

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Would like to know who produced this 54mm ACW mounted officer. No plans to use it, but would welcome some background information. Have found a photo on the internet, perhaps the horse gives us a clue?

MGB

REPLYING TO FRIENDS COMMENTS

Thank you, Hugh. I was hoping you or Brian would give us some insight. As its value is not great, and staff officers can add much to any game, I'm thinking of painting the figure in a blue uniform, with a off-white summer hat. I could use it as a staff officer in several armies. 

Hi Donnie. I know how collectable the Deetail Japanese are. No way I wouldn't seek out a method to utilise the figure, and I remembered seeing a Japanese WW2 bugle somewhere.

Thanks, MJT. It was very kind of Mark to think of me as the means to see these spare figures used in some games. I'm working on some of them at this moment. I really do need to increase my WW2 Chinese army. 

Thank you, Brad. One of my key pleasures in this hobby is seeing what can be done with damaged toy soldiers, and how they could enhance a collection. Can confirm the fourteen US Paras now comprise six with small arms, two heavily converted mortar crew, and a command base of two. The thirty-three British Paras were the most damaged, and least required! However, have still established three small arms, a radio command base of two, and four more still to be designated. (And a load of helmets and water canteens.) The Gurkhas, Africa Corps, and Japanese will prove very useful. 

Thanks Brian. I suspected this Hong Kong figure was probably copied from a British manufacturer. Well, this brown plastic copy of a Timpo solid is now serving with my armed civilians, which are largely Timpo solids and Timpo copies from their ACW range...... an appropriate addition, I think. 

HOBBY NEWS (July 13)

                                                                DANISH NAVY, 1848

My 1st Schleswig-Holstein War collection has gained a naval contingent. Having given my paddle steamer another revamp (its third), replacing the medium gun with a heavy, and also a carronade, decided to form a crew more appropriate for the first half of the 19th century.

A limber rider might prove useful.

The Danish naval crew are a mixture of Deetail napoleonic, converted Timpo Confederates, and some converted Deetail cowboys. A veteran lead figure serves as the captain.

GARIBALDI HAS SOME OPPOSITION

Converted some Timpo British Napoleonic into Kingdom of Two Sicilies light infantry.

SOME WW2 CASUALTIES

Some of Tim Gow's donated Airfix Soviets have been converted into a medic and casualty.

JAPANESE DEETAIL FIGURES

A visit to my local collectables shop furnished a surprise. I have been wanting to raise a small collection of W. Britains Japanese, if only to add some diversity to my large Airfix collection. Well, I had one figure, and have now gained another five, plus a figure needing an arm transplant. The cost was £8.

DANISH CUIRASSIERS

I needed to raise a cavalry unit for my Danish army. While not quite 1848 (these castings have tunics) I can repaint them as 1864 cuirassiers. Acquired these for £10.40 delivered.

FLAGS FOR THE ARMIES

A Karl Marx banner has been supplied to some largely Marx Toy Soldiers (thanks again, Tim!).

The Saxon Guards of 1848 now have a state flag.

FRENCH WW1 FIELD GUNS

I have a handful of W.Britains 1263 field guns. Unfortunately, two of these were missing their tow hooks, so decided to carry out a total paint strip, repair, and repaint, with a grey-blue colour as a distinction from the original drab green. These guns are fairly nondescript so they can serve with my French army.

French Model 75 of 1897, looks pretty close.

MGB

PS. It has been perfect weather this year for raspberries and blackcurrants, and it is looking good for blackberries too...... thank the Lord, huzzah!

REPLYING TO FRIENDS SENDING COMMENTS

Hi Donnie, thanks for the kind comments. With garden work, I just had time for some smaller projects, but was still keen to get them completed. I'm in the West Country and my entire blackcurrant crop had to be picked last week, any longer and they would have started falling and going soft. This has been my best year for raspberries, that bowl is one days worth, and it has been doing the same for over two weeks. Now last year my raspberry crop was very modest! Cheers!

Hello Brad. I too like the grey-blue colour scheme. The shade varies on surviving guns but it is definitely distinct from the British Ordnance grey. I have previously painted up two howitzers in this same colour scheme, and they look great with the French toy soldiers. Some blackberries are ready for picking here, but August is the main month. I read somewhere, blackcurrants were banned in the USA because they harbour diseases that threaten some American trees. In the UK, blackcurrants are a popular flavour, but the plants only arrived here from Scandinavia in the 1600s! They reckon there is over four hundred varieties of brambles (blackberries) found in the UK. I will be picking mine soon from the local riverbank.

Thanks Tony. And may I say a slight touch of envy occurred when I saw your unit of French-Spanish infantry, ready painted, and at £2 a head......... are you sure you are entitled to such a find?, lol.

Hello MJT. I think some of those (4) hollowcast cavalry are really old. They have 'made in England' but the primitive moulding, the horse ears for example, is distinct from any others in my collection. I would like to find out who made them. Accordingly, I will make no conversions, but will just repair the broken horse legs and repaint. But they will make up a nice Danish horse guards unit. The remaining two will become officers with head swaps. Regards.

Hello Quinn. I just can't afford genuine tin gunboats, and if I could, I would want to 'tidy' them. And to a collector that would be a no no....... better I make some reproductions!