Japans Imperial Army

[Darkson]

So what type's of troops would you like to see in the Japanese army. Things to keep in mind

1. It will be a Troop Heavy army

2. It will have a few elite Chemical using Units ( Thing Flame Throwers that use chemicals instead of fire)

3.Kamikaze style unit.

4.Officers will have Samurai styled armor.

5. Think chemical based rounds and grenades.

6. This is a what if/pulp style game so don't let History hold you back

We will start on this army AFTER we have a good size base for the Germans, Americans, and Russians. So this army is a little ways down the road.

[malika]

What would this Kamikaze unit be like? flying I hope?

What about elite warrior officers, so the Samurai style armour but also with the sword fighting skills up close?

I would create more focus on Engineer troops, the Japanese had very skilled Engineers in the Asian battles, so perhaps something that would reflect that?

[yellow]

I dont think what katana is a good choice against machingun. Only in "Operation Silent storm" PC game.
Or in WH40K ;D Japanese culture is very conservative, but modern japanese culture enough rich for borrowing some pretty looking things, exactly mecha. Think, Japan must have some sort of this things in his army. Also can say what Samurai armour is very expensive thing, and this a relics Kamikaze is a theme. Guy with exlosives which run very fast and difficult for targeting.

[CommieRabbit]

I don't think mechs would work since if japan during ww2 had very poor armor, so I don't think mechs (which are basically vertical armor) would totally work in terms of theme. I thought japan was gonna be more horde like with some chem weapons thrown in.

[malika]

yellow said:

I dont think what katana is a good choice against machingun. Only in "Operation Silent storm" PC game.
Or in WH40K ;D Japanese culture is very conservative, but modern japanese culture enough rich for borrowing some pretty looking things, exactly mecha. Think, Japan must have some sort of this things in his army. Also can say what Samurai armour is very expensive thing, and this a relics Kamikaze is a theme. Guy with exlosives which run very fast and difficult for targeting.

I know a Katana isnt that effective against a machinegun, but who says that this officer is running alone? He would of course have some sort of unit which would function as cover/bodyguards/shield. The officer would not be a fighter really (only close combat) but has more of a psychological function, increasing faith/courage/etc of the troops and then hack up the enemy if he gets close enough.

Im also in serious doubt with mechas...I would rather not have them in the game, only the sort of armoured walkers like MaschienKrieger (that was the name right?), but not gigantic Gundam like stuff. Perhaps the Germans started exporting their "battlesuits" (needs a better name) to Japan.

[Darkson]

An officer who draws his family weapon and tells his troops to charge across an open field can be an awe inspiring and Heroic thing to see. Or an officer drawing his weapon to signal a silent charge through dense jungle would be very effective also. Either way it would work and in both cases the sword is not used as a weapon but a way to convey a message. Yes it would also be very effective when it is used in hand to hand as not to many other opponent's will have many things that would protect them from a swing/blow from a sword.

[LibrarianBrent]

Japanese officers in World War II actually *did* sometimes carry a katana in one hand and a pistol in the other on the field of battle, since the Japanese army often fought in close quarters and the romantic image of someone leading the charge with a sword was highly inspiring to the troops.

[Darkson]

librarianbrent said:

Japanese officers in World War II actually *did* sometimes carry a katana in one hand and a pistol in the other on the field of battle, since the Japanese army often fought in close quarters and the romantic image of someone leading the charge with a sword was highly inspiring to the troops.

I have seen some great photos of this. Thats where I got the idea from. ;D

[LibrarianBrent]

The Japanese main troops should have bayonets on their rifles and they should be better than other main troops in hand-to-hand combat.

[yellow]

I`m also talk not about gundamm or macross. Yes, i have in a seeing exactly Machinen Krieger. Japanes tanks not was a best in WWII, but Japanese airplans was very and very good. IMO power armour construction close to delicate airplan, not a rough tank.

[Darkson]

When I think of tanks I think of more along the lines of "DUST" this is the direction we will be going. NO MECHA none, nope, none at all !!!!! Rackham will be covering that area and I don't think we need to go down that road. So again if you have any doubts NO Mecha.

[malika]

Some ideas:






I know that in the Dust games this is an allied trooper, but to me it looks more fitting for our Japanese forces:

[malika]

darkson said:

When I think of tanks I think of more along the lines of "DUST" this is the direction we will be going. NO MECHA none, nope, none at all !!!!! Rackham will be covering that area and I don't think we need to go down that road. So again if you have any doubts NO Mecha.

Rackham has mecha? I thought they did fantasy stuff only

Okay I tried to mention this in the weaponsection, but what about biological warfare? Viral bombardements etc, the Japanese might not have the armour (tanks and walkers) but would have very skilled pilots and good aircraft, so perhaps reflect this in the rules, something like almost constant air support or something?

What about something in the line of a suicide bomber, but then with chemical or biological agents, so these units would probably be prisoners who the Japanese have infected with diseases or put a bomb inside filled with viral and/or chemical agents. Then these individuals are sent to the enemy units who would try to pick them up and save them, not knowing that they are walking right into a trap. ;D

[CommieRabbit]

How about combining the chem stuff and historical stuff? A japanese squad may have the option of upgrading a soldier to ni-mortar gunner which can fire poisonous shells.

[CommieRabbit]

Also known as the "knee-mortar" due to incorrect translation among the troops, it wasn't actually fired from the knee (allied soldier that did fire captured versions of it from the knee were shocked when their knee was broken from the force of it).

It was vastly employed by the japanese ground troops for quick and mobile support fire.