IJA list concerns

[kazakcossack]

So, I finally laid down some cash on my new IJA platoon. I was reading through the list and saw a few things that I think I will have to house rule, in order to make them competitive. Overall, I think the list is good, but Arisaka's ROF at 1:2 seems to a little too excessive especially when coupled with a 2+ D6 weapon strength. I probably won't increase the weapon strength to 3 +D6, but I am strongly considering giving Arisaka armed infantry Rifle Drill special ability.

Now, I realize that the Banzai Charge is supposed to balance the 1:2 ROF, but getting the infantry to zero drive and not being wiped out by superior allied small arms fire appears to be a difficult and statistically small chance of happening. This is just my observation, I know I actually need to get these guys on the field first.

My last concern is with the Type 96 and 99 LMG's having the reload special rule. If memory serves, comparable Allied LMG's such as the B.A.R. and Bren Mk IV do not have reload. Now, I don't know how these rules are assigned to particular weapons, but IMHO, any LMG that deserves reload would be the B.A.R. with its 20 round magazine.

I still think the IJA can be competitive and hope some of these rules will be tweaked before "Black Reign" is released.

[evernevermore(john)]

Japanese machine guns are some of the best examples of poor design, ergonomics and logistics to grace modern military history. Even when available with an appropriately designed round to use, so many quirks or just plain obsolete design choices were made that most guns had a potential far below, well just about everyone.

The Type 96 was based on the Czech VZ 26 that was the basis for the Bren and arguable one of the best light machine guns of the era, possible ever. However the Japanese designer adapting the elements of the VZ into the type 11 made some honestly asinine choices that force the IJA to add a cartridge oiler to the gun to prevent an undue amount of failures. And while that worked in practice grounds conditions the oil on the cartridge attracted dirt and grit - the natural enemies of all mechanical devices. So in short the Japanese stole design elements from the daddy of the Bren, but managed to make it unreliable in the process, negating one of the chief selling points of the VZ 26.

The Type 99 is a much better gun, though based on the 96. Some intelligent redesign removed the need for a cartridge oiler and gave better extraction, thereby increasing its reliability. However this gun still suffered from some tactical use issues, as they were often issued to unit marksmen (keep in mind this is an automatic fire only weapon and uses a full battle rifle cartridge) and had an integral BAYONET mount.

None of these had the crippling disadvantage of the Type 99 HMG, which uses a rigid strip to carry 20 greased rounds into the gun. It was very effective when it worked and useless when it jammed.