Philippines campaign (1944–1945)
Hello! Today I suggest about Philippines campaign in 1944-45!
Preciously I made suggestion for Shanghai 1937 & Tokyo 1946, but apparently some people don’t like such things.
Therefore, this time I would like to propose a campaign based on the actual battle that occurred in the Philippines. It was the decisive battle for a Pacific front and winning this battle was the last hope for the Japanese government. They believed that if they win a big victory and they can surrender with mild conditions. However, as a result, almost all Japanese warships were sunk, half of Japanese aircrafts were lost, and ground forces were ruined. The Allies also made great sacrifices to their citizens and soldiers, but with great victories.
After that, Japanese start to prepare for the mainland decisive battle while earning time in Okinawa and Iwo Jima, which are the last outer edges.
Why Philippines?
I think some people will want to see battle of Okinawa or Iwojima. However, in such battles Japanese forces have several serious problems.
- Lack of decent armored vehicles
In such battles, there are only Type 97 medium tank “Chi-Ha” and Type 95 light tank “Ha-Go”. They are too weak. - Lack of infantry anti-tank weapons
There are only HEAT rifle grenade, anti-tank magnetic bomb and suicide weapons. - Lack of enough number of submachine guns
Japanese army’s Type 100 submachine gun was the only submachine gun adopted and mass-produced by Japanese army. - Lack of semi-automatic rifles
No automatic rifle has ever been put into action.
Among them, problem of semi-auto rifles is unsolved but other problems will be solved in Philippines campaign!
- Armored vehicles
Different to other battlefields, in Battle of Philippine there are various tank destroyers with decent anti-tank cannons. - Submachine Guns
Japanese navy landing force in Manila had lots of imported submachine guns like MP18, MP28 and S1-100. Rather, they didn’t had enough rifles. - Infantry anti-tank weapons
Japanese navy landing force in Manila had unique 8cm anti-tank rocket launcher like a bazooka.
Also, for problems of the semi-automatic rifle, there are two alternative solutions.
- Implement captured rifles (historic)
Japanese garrisons in Philippines used captured M1 Garand and M1 Carbine because they didn’t have enough rifles. This is historic, but may lack uniqueness. - Implement prototype rifles (non-historic)
In 1930s, Japanese army start a project for semi-automatic rifles. They were not adopted due to the start of war but for some people it will be interesting. Additionally, Japanese navy also build a copy of M1 Garand after 1944.
What kind of battle will it be?
In terms of weapon performance, the Japanese side will be in a quite disadvantageous battle. Especially, lack of semi-auto rifles will have a significant impact on the combat ability of infantry.
However, compared to Okinawa and Iwo Jima, the Japanese army still had better infantry weapons and armored vehicles.
Generally, battlefield is deep jungle. The visibility is very poor and there will be many encounter battles at close range. Also, if devs include Manila in the map, we can see very fierce urban warfare, too.
Available weapons
In this section, I listed available weapons of both side.
In case of US side, there are so many things in common with Normandy Campaign that I won’t explain them.
Also, we can check basic specification of weapons easily on internet so I did not listed it. But for some not well-known Japanese weapons, I made specification table.
Note: photos except for 8cm AT rocket launcher were came from Wikipedia.
Japanese
Rifles
Semi-automatic rifles were not deployed to frontline. In 1930s, experimental prototypes were designed but project was canceled because the war started.
Type 38 Infantry Rifle
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Type 38 Infantry Rifle / 三八式歩兵銃
- Japanese standard rifle during WW2. For game, it is possible to separate “pre-war” and “warfare” production types like Kar98k. During WW2, quality has dropped significantly to meet wartime demand.
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Type 38 Carbine / 三八式騎銃
- Japanese carbine based upon Type 38 rifle. It was quickly replaced by the Type 44 in cavalry units, but was long used as a self-defense weapon by logistics units, artillery, and communications soldiers.
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Type 44 Carbine / 四四式騎銃
- Japanese standard carbine during WW2. It was a improved version of Type 38 carbine, a carbine variant of Type 38 infantry rifle. Different to Type 38, it had foldable spike bayonet for purpose of cavalry.
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Type 99 Short Rifle / 九九式短小銃
- Japanese rifle designed for a successor of Type 38 rifles. For game, it is possible to separate “pre-war” and “warfare” production types. During WW2, quality has dropped significantly to meet wartime demand.
Unique weapons
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Type 2 Rifle / 二式小銃
- Also called “Te-Ra Rifle”. A foldable variant of Type 99 short rifle for paratroopers. Because of this mechanism, accuracy was inferior to original Type 99 short rifle. When this weapon was designed, major airborne operations were already completed, so this rifle was treated as normal rifle.
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Italy-Type Rifle / 伊式小銃
- An Italian rifle imported to commemorate the alliance. It was based upon Carcano M1891 but modified for Type 38 cartridge… Because the quality was low and it was judged to be unsuitable for front-line use, some were used for training and most were transferred to the Navy.
- note: Japanese also imported Kar98K, but most of them were deployed to Manchurian army and IJA’s new divisions mobilized at Chinese front at the late of war.
Rifle Grenade
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Type 100 Rifle Grenade Launcher / 一〇〇式擲弾器
- Japanese rifle grenade launcher for Type 38 rifle, Type 38 carbine and Type 99 rifle and Type 99 short rifles. Munition was Type 99 hand grenade.
Sniper Rifle
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Type 97 Sniper Rifle / 九七式狙撃銃
- Sniper-rifle variant of Type 38 infantry rifle. Scope was x2.5.
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Type 99 Short Sniper Rifle / 九九式短狙撃銃
- Sniper-rifle variant of Type 99 short rifle. Scopes were x2.5 or x4.0.
Reference: Japanese semi-automatic rifle
Japanese had several experimental semi-automatic rifles. They have never sent to battlefield.
Captured Rifles
After battles of Philippines in 1941, Japanese captured lots of M1 Carbine and M1 Garand. Especially, M1 Carbine was popular because in that time The Japanese were even shorter than they are now.
Also, they were equipped with a lot of Springfield bolt-action rifles.
Army Project
In 1930s, Japanese army started project of semi-automatic rifle to improve infantry firepower. However, by the start of Second Chino-Japanese war this project was canceled. Due to the large demand for rifles, it is no longer possible to make new rifles.
They had three different prototypes: Ko (A), Otsu (B) and Hei (C). Each prototype designs had “short” and “long” barrel variants. All models could equip bayonets, and few guns could equip sniper scopes.
Of these, development of Model Otsu was cancelled due to insufficient accuracy in the first test.
Development of Ko and Hei were completed in 1937, but the war started and the plan was canceled before deciding which one to adopt.
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Experimental Automatic Rifle Model Ko / 試製自動小銃甲号
- Caliber: 6.5 mm
- Length: 1,160 mm (long) / 1,060 mm (short)
- Barrel length: 673 mm (long) / 573 mm (short)
- Total weight: 4,250 g
- Magazine: 10 rounds
- Designer / Manufacture: Army Kokura Arsenal
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Experimental Automatic Rifle Model Otsu / 試製自動小銃乙号
- Caliber: 6.5 mm
- Length: 1,180 mm (long) / 1,080 mm (short)
- Barrel length: 650 mm (long) / 550 mm (short)
- Total weight: 4,255 g
- Magazine: 5/10 rounds
- Designer / Manufacture: Tokyo Gas Electric Engineering
- Note: Copy of Chinese army’s ZH-29 semi-auto rifle
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Experimental Automatic Rifle Model Hei / 試製自動小銃丙号
- Caliber: 6.5 mm
- Length: 1,160 mm (long) / 1,060 mm (short)
- Barrel length: 690 mm (long) / 590 mm (short)
- Total weight: 4,147 g
- Magazine: 5/10 rounds
- Designer / Manufacture: Japan Special Steel
Navy Project
In 1943, Japanese navy planned to equip copy of M1 Garand for naval paratroopers.
First prototype were build in early 1944, and it got good result at the test. It have several problems but they decide to start mass-production. In that time Yokosuka arsenal did not have enough resource to build new rifles, so they build this rifle at Washino machinery. However, the factory did not have a parts manufacturing facility, and it was instructed to stop production halfway and cooperate in the manufacture of aircraft engines, so it was hardly produced.
Finally, about 50 to 125 guns were produced.
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Type 4 Automatic Rifle / 四式自動小銃
- Caliber: 7.7 mm
- Length: 1,076 mm
- Total weight: 4,097 g
- Velocity: 689 m/s
- Maximum site range: 1,200 m
- Magazine: 10 rounds
- Designer: Navy Yokosuka Arsenal
- Manufacture: Washino Machinery
Submachine Guns
Japanese submachine guns are quite limited: Imperial Japanese Army used only Type 100 SMG. However, Japanese navy operated lots of imported MP18, MP28 and S1-100 for naval garrisons. Different to German service, they used 7.65x21 mm Parabellum and baronets.
Type 100 SMG, late model
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Bergman-type automatic pistol / ベ式自動拳銃 (MP18/28)
- Submachine gun of Japanese navy used since 1930s. It includes MP18 and MP28. Japanese version of them used 7.65x21mm Parabellum and they had bayonet.
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Specification
- Ammunition: 7.65×21mm Parabellum
- Magazine: 50 bullets
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Steyr-type Automatic Pistol / ス式自動拳銃 (S1-100 / MP34o)
- Submachine gun of Japanese navy used since 1930s. It was Steyr-Solothurn S1-100, also known as MP34(o). Different to German service, caliber was 7.65 mm. Also, in Japanese service it had a bayonet.
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Specification
- Ammunition: 7.65×21mm Parabellum
- Magazine: 20 bullets
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Type 100 Submachine Gun (Late) / 一〇〇式機関短銃(後期型)
- This is the only submachine gun that was adopted during the war in Japanese army. Most of the production numbers were of the late models. Only a few of the earlier models were produced, and most of them were lost with the cargo ship during transport to South Pacific.
Unique weapons
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Experimental Model 2 Submachine Gun, modified vehicle-mounted type / 試製二型機関短銃改良車載型
- It was based upon Experimental Model 2 SMG designed in 1930s. In the competition this model was defeat to Exp. Model 1 SMG (prototype of Type 100 SMG), but at the late of war engineers chose this design for self-defense weapon of tankers because it was smaller than Type 100. It was not adopted until surrender of Japan, but few guns were captured in Okinawa. I can’t find mention in Philippines, but at least it’s a weapon that was put into action, so it may be possible to add it.
Shotgun
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Browning Auto-5
- Browning auto-5 was one of the most popular luxury imported shotgun in Japan before WW2. During the war, the Navy requisitioned many 12-gauge shotguns, including this one, and used them as a substitute for rifles.
Also, Japanese tried to equip bayonet on this gun, but that project was failed.
- Browning auto-5 was one of the most popular luxury imported shotgun in Japan before WW2. During the war, the Navy requisitioned many 12-gauge shotguns, including this one, and used them as a substitute for rifles.
Light Machine Guns
Japanese light machine guns can use bayonet. It will be interesting for the game.
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11th Year Type Light Machine Gun / 十一年式軽機関銃
- Japanese first light machine gun. During the war, it was replaced by Type 96 LMG and Type 99 LMG.
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Type 96 Light Machine Gun / 九六式軽機関銃
- Successor of 11th Year Type LMG. Optionally it could equip sniper scope.
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Type 99 Light Machine Gun / 九九式軽機関銃
- Successor of Type 96 LMG with expanded 7.7mm caliber ammunition. Similarly to predecessor, it could equip bayonet and sniper scope, too.
Unique weapons
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Czecho-Type 7.9 mm Light Machine Gun / チ式七粍九軽機関銃 (ZB vz. 26)
- ZB 26 LMG was a standard light machine gun used by Chinese army. During the war, it was superior to Japanese machine guns and it was a considerable threat for them. Because of it, after Japanese captured Chinese arsenal, they manufactured lots of this gun and adopted for their weapon.
Heavy Weapons
Anti-Tank weapon
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Navy 8cm Rocket Launcher / 八糎噴進砲
- Japanese anti-tank rocket launcher developed by Japanese Navy. Different to Army’s Experimental Type 4 7cm rocket launcher (試製四式七糎噴進砲), this AT rocket launcher was operated in Battle of Leyte. During the battle, they landed Yoshikawa’s anti-tank rocket group with 21 launchers at Ormoc bay, and Yoshikawa unit was assigned to Ito’s naval landing forces at Manila.
- Specification:
- Caliber: 8 cm
- Explosive: 0.53 kg (Type 97 explosive)
- Penetration: about 70 mm armor
Reference:
Mortar
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Type 89 Heavy Grenade Launcher / 八九式重擲弾筒
- Japanese standard light infantry motor/grenade launcher. This gun can use not only 50 mm Type 89 HE but also able to use hand grenades. Normally it was placed on the ground at a fixed firing angle of 45 degrees, but in an emergency it could fire grenades or shells at point targets while braced horizontally against a tree or building.
Flamethrower
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Type 100 Flamethrower / 一〇〇式火焔発射機
- Japanese standard flamethrower during WW2.
Handgun
Japanese used dozens of pistols for officers. Also, some soldiers like driver etc equipped adopted pistols.
Adopted Handguns
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Army-Type Pistol / 陸式拳銃
- It is Nambu Large Pistol (Otsu) adopted by Japanese navy landing forces.
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14th Year Type Pistol / 十四年式拳銃
- Japanese army’s standard pistol based upon Nambu Large Pistol (Otsu).
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Type 94 Pistol / 九四式拳銃
- Japanese army’s pistol for officers to unify officer’s pistol. However, not only officers but also tank crew, pilots, paratroopers etc. also used it.
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Type 2 Pistol / 二式拳銃
- Japanese last pistol adopted by Japanese army. It was based upon Hamada Type 1 Pistol, but munition was changed to 8x22mm Nambu. In overseas, sometimes it is called “Hamada Type II”.
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Mauser Large Pistol / モ式大型拳銃
- During the war, lots of Chinese Mauser C96 was captured and adopted as “Mauser large pistol”.
Officer’s Handguns
Officers bought own pistol at their own expense. This is not a complete list.
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Nambu Small Pistol / 南部小型拳銃
- English nickname: Baby Nambu
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Hino Automatic Pistol / 日野式自動拳銃
- English nickname: Hino-Komuro M1908
- Sugiura Pistol / 杉浦式自動拳銃
- Inagaki Pistol / 稲垣式自動拳銃
- Hamada Type 1 Pistol / 浜田式自動拳銃
Import
List came from below. This sheet is a list of handguns in IJA 19th Division.
https://star.ap.teacup.com/s138/40.html
https://www.jacar.archives.go.jp/das/image/C01000673600
Only the company name and caliber are listed. Based on that, I searched and listed the applicable ones. However, they are using historical spelling so it is difficult to search them. “?” means I couldn’t find exact company. Also, caliber seems to be strange.
Among them, Browning M1910 and Colt M1903 were popular.
6 mm
Libya? / リビーア
6.35 mm — .25ACP
Mauser M1910 / マウザー
FN Browning Baby / ブローニング
Colt M1908 / コルト
Haenel Shmeisser mod I / ハーネル
ČZ vz. 27 / チェッコ
Blesh? / ブレッシュ
7 mm
Harrington? (H&R Firearms?) / ハリントン
Regent? / リゼント
7.35 mm
Ortgies / オートギイス
7.65 mm —.32 ACP / 7.63x25 Mauser
FN Browning M1910 / ブローニング
Colt M1903 / コルト
Mauser M1914 / モーゼル中型
Royal Pistol / ローヤル
Astra M300 / アストラ
Arms? / アームス
Reliable? / レリアブル
Zabor? / ザーブル
Bullington? / バリントン
Guranikka? / グラニッカ
Ramez? / ラメス
8 mm
Colt / コルト
Bulwark? / ブルワーク
Aster? / アスタ
Engineer’s construction weapon
Machine gun on sandbags
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Type 92 Heavy Machine Gun / 九二式重機関銃
- A standard Japanese HMG used during WW2. Different to its predecessor 6.5mm 3rd Year Type MG, it could use larger 7.7x58mmSR cartridge.
Anti-aircraft gun
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Type 96 25 mm machine gun, triple mount / 九六式二十五粍機銃三連装銃架
- A standard Japanese naval anti-aircraft gun during WW2. Army also had own anti-aircraft gun, Type 98 20 mm AA autocannon but most of them were single mount. Although there are twin variant (called So-Ki) but they are very rare.
Anti-tank gun
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Type 1 Mobile 47 mm Gun / 一式機動四七粍砲
- Japanese anti-tank gun adopted in 1942. It was the most powerful Japanese anti-tank gun ever fielded, but it was much less powerful than those of other countries. It was labeled “mobile” because it had rubber tire to make possible to tow by automobiles.
Armored vehicles
Different to other battles, in Philippines campaign Japanese used lots of tank destroyers which is able to destroy M4 Sherman.
Japanese also used Type 89 medium tank and Type 95 light tank, but they are too weak (even 12.7 mm HMG can destroy them) so I did not listed them.
Type 4 SPG Ho-Ro
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Special Type 2 Mortar Boat “Ka-Mi” / 特二式内火艇 ｢カミ｣
- Japanese navy’s amphibious assault tank used during WW2. During the battle, they landed Ormoc bay to support garrisons.
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Type 97 Medium Tank “Chi-Ha” / 九七式中戦車 ｢チハ｣
- One of the most famous Japanese tank. Original variants had short barrel 57 mm cannons suitable for infantry support. At the late of war, HEAT shells were deployed.
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Type 97 Medium Tank Kai “Chi-Ha” / 九七式中戦車改 ｢チハ｣
- Modernized version of Chi-Ha with 47 mm tank gun. It had decent penetration which is able to destroy M3 Stuart. However, when they are deployed US already had M4 Sherman tanks.
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Type 4 15cm Self-Propelled Gun “Ho-Ro” / 四式十五糎自走砲｢ホロ｣
- It was Japanese tank destroyer with massive 15 cm Type 38 Howitzer.
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Type 1 Gun Tank “Ho-Ni I” / 一式砲戦車 ｢ホニI｣
- It was Japanese SPG with 75 mm Type 90 field gun. Four Ho-Ni I were deployed to 2nd Mobile Artillery Regiment, 2nd Tank Division during the battle of Philippines. They tried to land not only Ho-Ni I but also Ho-Ni II, but all of them were sunk by bombing during transportation.
Unique weapons
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M3 Stuart
- A captured M3 tank. It is often jokingly referred to as the most powerful tank ever fielded by the Japanese forces. It was a terrifyingly powerful tank for the Japanese army in the early days of the war.
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Type 1 10cm Self-Propelled Gun “Ho-Ni II” / 一式砲戦車 ｢ホニII｣
- To prepare defense of Philippines, Japanese tried to deploy this SPG. However, they sank into the sea in an air raid while landing. It had powerful 10 cm howitzer.
Aircraft
For this battle, Japanese prepared thousands of aircraft around Philippines. It was also the first battle where the famous kamikaze attack took place.
Type 4 Fighter Hayate
Fighter
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Type 0 Carrier-Based Fighter Model 52 Ko/ 零式艦上戦闘機五二型 (A6M5 Zeke)
- It was most mass-produced variant of “Zero” fighter of the Japanese navy.
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Type 3 Fighter Model I Tei “Hien” / 三式戦闘機一型丁 ｢飛燕｣ (Ki-61 Tony)
- Japanese army’s fighter with German DB601 engine that same as Bf 109. This variant had two 12.7 mm and two 20 mm cannons.
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Type 4 Fighter Ko “Hayate” / 四式戦闘機甲 ｢疾風｣ (Ki-84 Frank)
- Type 4 fighter was the best Japanese fighter during WW2 and called “Decisive battle fighter of the Greater East-Asia”. Model Ko was first mass-production model.
Attacker
Because of army attackers did not have enough specification, I did not listed them.
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Suisei Model 12 / 彗星一二型 (D4Y2 Judy)
- Japanese naval carrier-based dive bomber during WW2. It could equip one 250 kg or one 500 kg bombs.
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Ginga Model 11 / 銀河一一型 (P1Y1 Frances)
- Japanese naval ground-based dive bomber / torpedo bomber used during WW2. It could equip two 250 kg or two 500 kg bombs.
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Type 4 Heavy Bomber Model I Ko “Hiryu” / 四式重爆撃機一型甲 ｢飛竜｣ (Ki-67-I Ko Peggy)
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Japanese army’s final heavy bomber. They called it “heavy” bomber, but actually it was a medium bomber. It can equip 8x 100 kg, 3x 250 kg, 1x 500 kg or 1x 800 kg bombs.
United States
Descriptions for weapons already in game are omitted.
Rifles
M1941 Johnson
- M1903 Springfield
- M1917 Enfield
- M1 Carbine
- M1 Garand
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M1941 Johnson
- This is American semi-automatic rifle that was a rival of M1 Garand. It was not adopted by the U.S. Army, but some of them were used by U.S. Marines in the Pacific front.
- M2 Carbine
Sniper Rifles
- M1903A1 Springfield
- M1903A4 Springfield
- Sniper M1 Garand
Rifle Grenades
- M1 carbine with grenade thrower
Submachine Gun
M3 Submachine Gun
- M3 Submachine Gun
- M3A1 Submachine Gun
- M1A1 Thompson
- M1 Thompson
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M50 Reising
- American SMG used by US navy, marines and coast guards. Due to its low reliability, it withdrawn from the front line around 1943.
Shotgun
- Winchester M1912
Light Machine Gun
Johnson M1941 machine gun
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Johnson M1941 Machine Gun
- American light machine gun used by Marines.
- Browning M1918A1
- Browning M1918A2
Heavy Weapons
- M1 Bazooka
- M1 Flamethrower
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M2 60 mm Mortar
- Standard American infantry mortar used during WW2.
Handgun
For soldiers
- Colt M1917 Revolver
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S&W M1917 Revolver
- During WW2, M1917 Revolvers were deployed for tankers and artillery etc.
- M1911A1 Colt
For officers
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M1903 Colt
- During WW2, this pistol was often used by officers and pilots.
Engineer’s construction weapon
Machine gun on sandbags
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M1919 Browning
- American 7.62 mm machine gun used during WW2.
Anti-aircraft gun
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M45 Quadmount
- Quad mount for 12.7 mm M2 heavy machine gun.
Anti-tank gun
- 57 mm Gun M1
Armored Vehicle
For pacific campaign, armored LVTs seems to be interesting. Armor is not a good, but they have decent weapons and large number of crew.
LVT (A) -4
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LVT (A)-1
- Armored landing vehicle with 37 mm tank gun for fire support. It had a turret of M3 light tank and machine guns.
- M5A1
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LVT (A)-4
- Armored landing vehicle with 75 mm howitzer for fire support. It had a turret of M8 HMC.
- M4A2 Sherman
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M4 (105) Assault Gun
- Variant of M4 Sherman with 105 mm howitzer.
Aircraft
US Naval Aircrafts
Fighter
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P-38G
- Army’s twin-engine fighter. Due to its long range, it was used as a fighter on the Pacific front for a long time.
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F6F-5
- US navy’s famous carrier-based fighter. It supported the U.S. Navy in the latter half of the war with its overwhelming performance over the Zero fighter.
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P-51D
- One of the most famous American fighter during WW2.
Attacker
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SB2-C1
- American carrier-based bomber to replace SBD-3. It have not only bombs but also 20 mm canons on the wing.
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F4U-1D
- American naval fighter used by navy and marines. It had large payload and used for ground attacks. It can equip 2x 1000 lbs (453kg) bombs.
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PBJ-1H
- Marine’s variant of B-25H. It have not only bombs but also 8x 12.7 mm machine gun and 1x 75 mm cannon to attack surface targets.
Thank you for reading!
