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Russo-Japanese and Sino-Japanese Wars - Artillery and Equipment - Japanese machine gun and three crew

  • Product Code: RE104
  • Availability: In Stock

£2.90

This product is sold as an unpainted kit.

Additional Images.

1-3. These lovely figures, vehicles and buildings are from the hand of Greg Potter. Greg has some fantastic ideas for his wargaming table which I very much admire. On this occasion he has recreated the Japanese invasion of Manchuria. The tanks and buildings are scratch built and the Jacklex Japanese MG and infantry are painted up as Chinese as well as Japanese forces. I love the old school feel of the whole thing. Thank you Greg.


THE HOTCHKISS Mle 1897 MACHINE GUN

 

In 1895 the Imperial Japanese Army purchased a number of Maxims but later decided to introduce the Hotchkiss machine gun.

 

The Hotchkiss was based on a design by Captain Baron von Uiezda and tested in France in 1893. The gun was gas activated and air cooled assisted by five large rings which assisted natural cooling and retarded overheating. Its normal rate of fire was 450 rounds per minute and was fed by a 24 round strip of 8mm Lebel ammunition. Effective range was approximately 2,000 yards.

 

The gun and tripod it was mounted on had the advantage that it was relatively light compared to the Russian Maxim gun. As a result, the Japanese use of machine guns was better in the attack. The three-man crew was able to carry the gun and mount to reposition it or to move it forward for short distance. On the battlefield the practice was to push the guns forward to the firing line where they could prove most effective in supporting attacks and defend against counter-attacks, Disadvantages included the ability to provide a high rate of suppressive fire and the lack of an integral gun shield which meant that the gun and its crew were vulnerable. 

 

THE WARGAMER may wish to take account of ammunition supply and a lower effect of suppressive fire on the target than the Russian Maxim. I like to use small D6 attached to units, particularly artillery and machine guns to represent fixed ammunition supply. Additional ammunition being available through some form of resupply method during the game but at a cost of time and firepower.


Jacklex Miniatures Russo-Japanese War 20mm metal wargame figures.