WW2 Japanese

 seem to be on a bit of a WW2 painting rampage. It’s largely due to the fact that it’s a bunch of small collections of different things that are closer to being finished than not (and it’s fun to be able to finish things up).

My antipathy towards playing WW2 games must be diminishing somewhat. While I wouldn’t go so far as to say I am “stoked” to play with these – I at least no longer feel a strong desire to cause grievous self-harm at the thought of playing WW2 miniature wargames.

The other day I took some pictures of some previously painted Japanese (Special Naval Landing Force) and added them to the 28mm World War Two Gallery. Last night I decided to work on a few more Japanese (and some French… but that’s for another day).

I threw The Thin Red Line on the DVD player while I was finishing up this batch last night. What a thoroughly depressing movie… I really like the movie, though. Three are some really great performances. And I love that Elias Koteas plays a character that isn’t a total psycho-nutjob (like he does in pretty much EVERY OTHER MOVIE I’VE SEEN HIM IN!?) and he totally nails it.

(Remember: click on the pictures for a bigger version):

Two (understrength) squads for an Imperial Japanese Army platoon. The figures are all from Battle Honors.

For Bolt Action these could be two squads of seven Regulars with an LMG at 90 points each. Given the equipment I have available to paint for the IJA I will probably be fielding two undrestrength platoons – each with two regular infantry squads (as these above) and a Grenadier (or Mortar) Squad with six troopers and three Light Mortars!

Two suicidal Anti-Tank troopers – also from Battle Honors. (20 points each for regulars in Bolt Action). At the moment these are kind of useless as none of the opposing forces I have for the Japanese (US Marines, Chindits and some Aussies)  have any armoured support that these guys could blow themselves up on… Ah well…

Imperial Japanese Army casualties from West Wind Productions

Japanese Special Naval Landing Force casualties also from West Wind Productions

As I’ve been organizing these WW2 miniatures to paint I’ve discovered a few small deficiencies in a couple of the forces (mostly the Japanese and French) and so I thought I’d try and place a small order with J&M Miniatures - a webstore run out of Stratford, Ontario, Canada and operated in part by a fellow whose blog I’ve been following for a while (Rabbits in my Basement).

Coming soon on Tim’s Miniature Wargaming Blog:

More WW2 miniature painting I suppose… Possible some French…? Or more Japanese…?