Japanese infantry were already conducting “human bullet” assaults (nikuhaku kōgeki) against Soviet armour in 1939. In the absence of better anti-tank options they continued this practice throughout World War II, whether in China, the Pacific, or Burma. The death of the individual was accepted as the necessary price for the destruction of the tank, in accordance with the Japanese doctrine of “one soldier, one tank.” The goal was to combine honorable suicide with definite military results.
Pacific War
Making Bamboo Groves for Wargaming
I’m already doing the Portuguese Colonial War. Adam got me interested in Burma. Chris and Jamie are talking about Vietnam. So, inspired by Brett Simpson, I thought I’d make some Bamboo groves to extend my on-table jungle.
Assault at Walkers Creek – Mac’s Crossfire Missions in the Pacific
Brett Simpson has played Mac’s Missions in the Pacific before, see Play Test of Mac Crossfire Missions in the Pacific. Recently he decided to give it another go.
Marston Airfield – A Crossfire Battle Report in the Pacific
Brett Simpson sent through another Crossfire Battle Report in the Pacific, this time a Bridgehead scenario at an Australian defended Marston Airfield. Marston was the type of portable matting that was used to make these airfields. The game feature’s Brett’s brand new Japanese Special Amphibious Landing Company (SNLF) and, of course, his new airfield feature. All words are Brett’s.
Brett Simpson on making bamboo groves
Following Brett Simpson’s last post on the pacific war I asked him, how do you make your bamboo groves? I think the bamboo is a key part of the look of Brett’s table and, well, I want to copy them. Here is what he said.
2018 Reflections of a Megalomaniac Wargamer and Amateur Historian
Continuing my Megalomaniac tendencies, this is my reflection on 2018 and how I did against my world conquering goals. Check out my 2018 Confessions of a Megalomaniac Wargamer and Amateur Historian for my overly ambitious aspirations.
Stoney Creek – A Crossfire Scenario and Battle Report in the Pacific
Brett Simpson sent through another combined scenario and battle report from the Pacific. For Crossfire of course. Australians versus Japanese at Stoney Creek. Except where noted all words are Brett’s.
A Case Study in Balagan Thinking – How I justify collecting Japanese
If you didn’t know, Balagan means messy or chaotic. And lately my head has definitely been balagan. I’m trying to justify building up a Japanese force for Crossfire. I’m trying to find ways to fit the Japanese into my Official Focus of Spain, Portugal, New Zealand, and Israel. I’ve got to say, it ain’t easy. But with quite a lot of mental gymnastics I might manage it.
Japanese Leg Battalion – Revised Organisation for Crossfire
John Moher’s post Modelling Japanese in Crossfire prompted me to think about the Crossfire order of battle for the Japanese. John highlights some ways where the official Crossfire order of battle is incorrect but he doesn’t write it out in full. So I set out to document a new Crossfire organisation for a Japanese Leg Infantry Battalion. Turns out it was more complicated than I anticipated. And I ended up diverging from John’s suggestions a bit.
Musing on Japanese Knee Mortars in Crossfire
In World War II the Japanese issued three 5cm Mortars to every Rifle Platoon. Standard Crossfire makes the Knee Mortar rather useless. John Moher reinstates them as an effective piece of combat kit. And I do the same, but in a much simpler fashion.
Play Test of Mac’s Crossfire Missions in the Pacific
Brett Simpson play tested Mac’s Crossfire Missions v3 using his Pacific War kit. So this was a pick up game for Crossfire with Japanese facing Australians.
Summary: fun and exciting game. Brett’s Australians won, making a successful Withdrawal in the face of a Japanese Breakthrough attempt.
All words are Brett’s.
Dig in and Wait! A Crossfire Battle Report in the Pacific
Brett Simpson play tested his Dig In and Wait Scenario pitting the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) against the Australian Imperial Force (AIF). In solo mode.