Toy Soldiers in the Pacific, or SWPA in 54's, Part 1

 In my recent posts about American and Filipino forces in early (1941-42) World War 2, I looked at the organization of those forces for Too Fat Lardies' Chain of Command rules. Now in their second edition, along with several theater specific handbooks, they have become one of the most popular World War Two tactical sets here in my part of New England. As many readers will know, these rules are primarily platoon/company level actions using 20 or 28mm figures. Needless to say, they are among my favorites.

 

But what about 54's? I have a special affection for these big guys. These were the plastic figures my buddies and I played with as boys growing up in the 1950's and 60's. While one could adapt Chain of Command to this scale and play a game quite successfully in one's garden or a large table, crawling around on my hands and knees or stretching across said  six foot wide table is something my seventy-five year old limbs rebel at the thought. Surely, there must still a place for them and with that, my quest began.

 

My first thought were the books by the late Donald F. Featherstone. To anyone who did any war gaming in the sixties and seventies, he along with Phil Barker of WRG, greatly influenced and shaped modern gaming into its form today. I have seven or eight of Featherstone's original books as well as some reprints. The rules were simple, playable, and for the most part gave a game that was both fun and exciting. But before rules, one needs figures and this is my topic for today.

 

Bags of green and tan plastic soldiers used to be found in every toy store, and are still readily available both online and local dollar-type stores here in the US. Better still, they remain relatively cheap. 

 

Sophisticated (?) as I am, the thought of pushing around unpainted plastic figures was something I wasn't quite ready to revert to. Having a bag of green and tan American and Japanese toy soldiers purchased years ago (for a project I don't remember) and at hand, I  needed to paint some up. These are BMC or Marx re-issues purchased online. Washing and priming took only a short time and some of the results are shown below. Bases are laser-cut 3mm plywood from LITKO (www.litko.net) and have a magnetic sheet on each. The metal plate the figures are on were picked up a while ago, also online and are great for organizing squads. Next time I'll go into their organization and if room, the rules. 

Some Japanese Infantry

Some American Infantry

 

 

Back to Bataan! US Forces in the Far East 1941-1942, Part 5

 I'd like to finish up this series with a discussion of what was probably the most famous unit of the Philippine Scouts (PS), the redoubtable 26th Cavalry. They were the elite of the US forces assigned to the Philippines in the era under discussion. Like all of the Scout units, they were long-serving regulars whose record was one of unmatched valor. The average trooper had served anywhere from ten to thirteen years and in terms of discipline and adherence to the rules and regulations, their record shows the lowest rates of infractions among the military on the islands. In a considerable number of cases, this was further strengthened by multiple generations of families serving within the unit.

Squad on Patrol. The bottom center shows the Regimental Crest of the 26th Cavalry (PS)

 

By the way, while I will use the term Troop/Platoon, it should be noted that US practice used the term "Company" in official documents to describe a unit of three or more troops. Squadrons were units of multiple (4-6) companies and light support with a small headquarters element. Regiments were usually two Squadrons with slightly heavier support.  

As for their organization, the cavalry was similar to that of the infantry overall. It consisted of a Headquarters element (troop/platoon leader, troop/platoon sergeant, and 3-5 men used as messengers, replacements, general duties), and three troops/platoons. Support was primarily in the form of light machine guns (M1919A2, a slightly more compact version of the common M1919A4). What anti-armor weapons existed were heavy (.50 caliber Browning M2) machine guns and AT rifle grenades. 

The M2 was effective in this role in the early part of the war as Japanese tanks were lightly armored compared to European and even American models. The HMG's were held at Squadron-level. No mortars were assigned at any level.

For Chain of Command, the organization would be as follows:

    Troop Headquarters: Platoon Leader, Senior Leader, armed with a pistol; Platoon Sergeant, Senior Leader, armed with a rifle and pistol. At this point, I should say that the 26th Cavalry (PS) had been completely re-armed with the M1 Garand Rifle, although according to some interviews with veterans, some preferred their original M1903 Springfields and acquired them surreptitiously.

    3 Squads, each with: Squad Leader (CPL), Junior Leader, armed with a rifle and pistol,  eight (8) privates also armed with a rifle and pistol. 

 

Given the high quality and long-service of this unit, it should probably be classed as "Elite". Strong consideration should be given to allowing the units to have an additional "Red Die" added to their Command dice. 

It should be noted that a troop of this unit under LT Edwin P. Ramsay, using only their pistols and horses, charged and routed a superior Japanese force on 16 January 1942. Ultimately surrendering to the Japanese in April, 1942, a significant number (including LT Ramsay) continued the fight as guerillas in  Luzon.

 

 

Back to Bataan! US Forces in the Far East, 1941-1942 (Part 4)

 In this installment of this series, I will take a look at the Regular Philippine Army (PA) whose defenders made up the bulk of the forces on the islands.

 

The Philippine Army was formed shortly after the US Congress passed the law giving the Philippines full and complete independence in 1946. The relatively long transition period of ten years (Commonwealth of the Philippines) would allow for the full development of both its government and military. On paper, the plan was both practical and even brilliant -- but the US Congress still pretty much controlled the budget and America was still recovering from the Great Depression. Still, progress was made.

 

The Army was envisioned as basically a light infantry force consisting of two regular divisions and ten reserve divisions. Each was to have about 7,500 men, about half the size of the then current US Infantry Division. Camps and training facilities were built or expanded, units organized and trained, and the supporting air and naval forces developed. Weapons were mostly Great War vintage, relatively cheap on the surplus market, but still useful. Some American 1903 Springfields and the more common M1917 Enfields, along with Lewis LMG's and Browning MMG's made up the bulk of the small arms. While US M1918 BARs were available, they were few and far between. Mortars and artillery were also procured from US, British, and French sources. The Army was mobilized in September 1941 under the mistaken (as it turned out) belief that Japan wouldn't strike until April of 1942 at the earliest. Some interesting "what ifs" could certainly be drawn from this!

The two Regular Divisions (1st and 2nd) were the best trained of the Commonwealth forces, being full-time with officers who were both experienced and perhaps more importantly, local, a number of whom had graduated from American ROTC as well as West Point. They formed a strong nucleus. Many of the NCO's were also experienced and good leaders. 

While the 1st Division was a standard Army division with some advanced training, the 2nd was primarily a Constabulary whose weapons were mostly small arms and whose training was mostly in small unit tactics and policing activities. 

As for the organization of the reserve infantry units, the then current American squad of an 8-9 men armed with rifles was a pretty good model. Three squads and a platoon headquarters likewise followed American practice. A few BARs and Lewis guns would equip the LMG squads at the company level, while mortars (usually 3" Brandt) and Browning MMG's were located at the battalion level or higher. Fire control equipment was lacking or sorely limited. This was envisioned as a defensive force only.

Using the Chain of Command model, here's what we come up with:

Rifle Platoon HQ

Platoon Leader, SL, armed with a pistol

Platoon Sergeant, SL, armed with a rifle

3 Rifle Squads, each with:

Squad Leader, JL, armed with rifle

8-9 Riflemen 

I can find no reference to an Automatic Rifle Squad, as in the Regular Scouts. But it would not be unreasonable for the platoon to have a Lewis LMG with 3-crew. I would also add that it would not be unreasonable for the SL's to be rated as Inferior as defined in the rules. Other than the 1st and 2nd Divisions, all should be classed as Green. Provision for entrenchments and obstacles in support should be fairly liberal. 

I hope to finish up next time with the 26th Cavalry, and perhaps a few notes on the US Marines stationed there, and some of the ad hoc units that were critical to the defense of Bataan. Until next time...