What I want to know is ...

[Hertsblue]

Re Japanese softskins, pretty well all Japanese camouflage was applied in the field by the vehicle crews. It can therefore be applied fairly unevenly, in any suitable colours, usually in at least three different shades.

The other point to be made is that the Japanese army was relatively non-mechanised, especially in those theatres that were heavily forested (Burma and the Pacific islands, for example). In these areas mules were generally used for transporting food and ammunition. So, having huge numbers of softskins would probably be a mistake.

[fsn]

I was trying for Khalkin Gol, and looking for prime movers rather than infantry transports. I may just use horse drawn.

I think it will needs a lot of Type 97s to bring down a KV1. 

[Hertsblue]

I think it will needs a lot of Type 97s to bring down a KV1. 

If you can find a convenient precipice and drop the Type 97 directly on to the KV1 it might work. Otherwise, the Japanese trick of seating a man in a hole in the road with a naval shell and a hammer is probably your only recourse.

[fsn]

This could explain why the Japanese had no softskins later in the war.

Also, what I'm trying to prevent with a Russo-Japanese 1939 confrontation.

[Matt J]

well..... that was fun 

[toxicpixie]

I can see why the Japanese never considered trying to stick a knife in the Russians back whilst they were engaged with the Germans

[Ithoriel]

I believe there's a separate thread for examples of films with no foundation in reality

[toxicpixie]

"My way" is a true story

[Ithoriel]

... in the same sense that "Fargo" is a true story

[toxicpixie]

Well, it is "inspired by", and the broad thrust is true. And all those terrible Japanese tactics were used in real life at various points, aside from perhaps the trucks but I'm sure if they'd had the petrol for it they'd have tried that as well! Mind, probably not so terrible a tactic when the choice is sanity or suicide bombing a tank, and you can't possibly choose the former as that's just wrong.

[Ithoriel]

"This is a true story, the names remain the same but the story has been changed to protect the innocent!"

There are shreds of accuracy remaining but nothing of the detail relates to anything I've read about Khalkhin Gol/ Nomonhan.

Nice tanks!

[toxicpixie]

Well, the general gist is the same. Japanese realise they're woefully under equipped and have no chance of ever being otherwise, and cannot make up in pluck and fanaticism what they lack in heavy weapons, numbers, tanks, trucks, guns or training, and suffer accordingly despite selling themselves dearly. As a "crunched up" account that eight minutes probably sums up the whole four months worth quite nicely

[Ithoriel]

As a metaphor for the campaign - fine. As history - it's bunk.

However, since what I'd written as an almost throwaway tie up between two current threads is turning into more of issue than I intended I'll shut up now!

[toxicpixie]

 

I'll not mention the war then. DON'T TWLL HIM YOUR NAME, ITHORIEL!

_{Oh dear I may have crossed the memes}

[Ithoriel]

 

[Leman]

Stupid boy!

[howayman]

See Flames of War tank tactics work. . . .

[John Cook]

Jap Softskins

Look for early softskins- some of the Russian ones don't look too out of place in 10mm - they have the same general shape

Many Japanese trucks were copies of pre-War US Fords and Chevrolets - Type 94 and 97 I think were Ford copies.  Russian GAZ A-Series were also copies of pre-War Fords and will do well enough for Japanese.