Suggestion: Shanghai Campaign 1937 (China vs Japan)
Shanghai settlement, before war
Map of Shanghai, publisshed by Japanese newspaper
Battle of Shanghai <Chinese: Battle of Songhu [淞滬會戰] / Japanese: 2nd Shanghai Incident [第二次上海事変]> is one of the first battle during 2nd Chino-Japanese War. This battle was consisted with fierce urban warfare caused and landing operations. Also, both military forces operated lots of naval vessels, aircrafts and armored vehicles.
After this bloody three-month battle, Japanese forces captured Shanghai and start the invasion to Nanjing - the capital of Republic of China.
Why Shanghai?
As you know, during Asia-Pacific war, there are lots of famous battle like Singapore, Malaya, Guadalcanal, Imphal, Leyte, Iwojima, Okinawa etc. However, for the game Enlisted these battles have several serious problems.
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Disproportionate armored vehicles
Sadly, Japanese does not have decent tanks which is able to fought against allied tanks. For example, even the latest Japanese tank, Type 97 Medium Tank with New Turret, is incomparable to M4 Sherman tank, and it will struggle even when fighting the M5A1. Also, Japanese anti-tank weapons are limited. -
Lack of Submachine Gun
In this game, “Assaulter” troops with submachine gun is required, but Japanese army did not had it. Although Type 100 SMG was developed, but it is quite rare weapon. Nevertheless, it is very unnatural for Japanese squadron with a large number of submachine guns to appear.
But, if implement Shanghai Campaign, these problems will be solved.
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Armored Vehicles
Relatively both forces had balanced armored vehicles. Both forces often used small armored cars with heavy machine guns which is effective to infantry. Also, both army have balanced tank: Vickers 6-ton tank type B and Type 89 Medium Tank Ko. Both light-armored tank have enough weapon to destroy each tanks: 47 mm and 57 mm gun. -
Submachine Gun
Shanghai Special Naval Land Force - IJN’s urban warfare force in Shanghai have lots of submachine guns different to other army forces. If implement squadron of SNLF, we can get several submachine guns with historical unit!
Additionally, there’s further more unique advantages.
In that time, Shanghai was huge international city with very modern buildings. Urban battles in a city with modern tall buildings like Shanghai are bit rare in WW2 and very interesting for lots of players.
Map of the battle (from official war history of Japan)
This map shows position of both army and operations. Japanese fleet were moored in Huangpu River.
http://www.nids.mod.go.jp/military_history_search/SoshoView?kanno=072#
Translation of battle progress in this drawing
Note: This was written by Shanghai SNLF officer. “We/Our” means Japanese, and “Enemy” means Chinese. Also, famous battle for the Chinese side (eg. battle of Sihang Warehoue) are not often mentioned.
- August 13: Enemy [Chinese] attack at bayu bridge (八宇橋). All forces start the battle.
- August 13~15: Enemy focused main attack point to our [Japanese] west wing intensely. We fight hardly and repel it.
- August 16: Enemy main attack point focused to our north side. We fight hardly. We attack enemy hardly and repel them with reinforcements from warships.
- August 18~25: Enemy entered into east Yangshupu (楊樹浦)area. Our elite reinforcements deal with and repel to outside of the settlement.
- August 23: Some part of our west detachment force landed Wusong (呉淞) area, and then landed army’s troops.
- September 6~13: Advance east front and capture City Government.
- September 21~October 6: After fierce urban warfare, Beiichuanlu (北四川路) front advanced to Songhu Railway (淞沪铁路).
- October 27: Clean up Zhabei (閘北) area
- October 31: Destroy enemy remnants in Sihang Warehouse (四行倉庫)
- November 5: Army Yanagigawa-unit landed north coast of Hangzhou
- November 11: Clean up Pudong (浦東) area
Weapons
Generally, Japanese rifles have low-recoil but slightly inferior in power and range than Chinese. It caused by difference of rifle cartridge: Japanese used 6.5x50mm Arisaka, but Chinese used 7.92x57 mm Mauser. It will be advantage for Chinese infantries. But, 6.5 mm is still enough to kill enemy, so perhaps for some players low recoil will be good advantage.
In other hand, Japanese armored vehicles will be better than Chinese one. Especially, Type 89 MT’s large 57 mm cannon will be effective for support infantries.
In case of aviation, Chinese fighters have large bombs but Japanese didn’t. It will be good advantage for Chinese.
Infantry Weapons
It was one of the first major battle between Chinese and Japanese during 2nd Chino-Japanese war. Japanese had bout 300,000 troops, and Chinese had about 750,000 troops.
In case of Japanese side, defend of concession was roll of Japanese navy. Because of it, there are the largest SNLF, Shanghai Special Navy Land Force. (SNLF is Japanese navy’s unique small army. Mainly they are garrison force, but some SNLF have armored vehicles, paratroopers, marries etc.)
Note: To be honesty, I’m not familiar with Chinese infantry weapons. Because of it, I could not find information about sniper rifle, motor etc. Also, perhaps there are additional rifles still be left.
Japanese
Rifles
30th Year Type Infantry Rifle [三十年式歩兵銃]
- Specification
- Caliber: 6.5 mm
- Velocity: 700 m/s
- Weight: 3.85 kg
- Magazine: 5 bullets
- Action: Bolt Action
- Ammunition: 6.5x50mmSR 35th Year Type Naval Rifle cartridge
Japanese standard rifle during Russo-Japanese war.
Since 1905, this gun was replaced by Type 38 infantry rifles and moved for training gun. Also, some of them were exported to allied countries during WWI. During Asia-Pacific war, it was used for military training at high school.
35th Year Type Naval Rifle [三十五年式海軍銃]
- Specification
- Caliber: 6.5 mm
- Velocity: 700 m/s
- Weight: 3.85 kg
- Magazine: 5 bullets
- Action: Bolt Action
- Ammunition: 6.5x50mmSR 35th Year Type Naval Rifle cartridge
Infantry rifle for Japanese navy. Based upon 30th Year Type Infantry Rifle, but sight changed from ladder-sight to tangent-sight.
Type 44 Cavalry Rifle [四四式騎銃]
- Specification
- Caliber: 6.5 mm
- Velocity: 708 m/s
- Weight: 3.3 kg
- Magazine: 5 bullets
- Action: Bolt Action
- Ammunition: 6.5x50mmSR Type 38 cartridge
Shorter variant of Type 38 rifle for cavalry, artillery, logistics, military police, paratrooper etc. Also, sometimes infantry used this gun.
Type 38 Short Rifle [三八式短小銃]
- Specification
- Caliber: 6.5 mm
- Velocity: - m/s
- Weight: - kg
- Magazine: 5 bullets
- Action: Bolt Action
- Ammunition: 6.5x50mmSR 30th Year Type cartridge
Rare short variant of Type 38 infantry rifle. The length of the barrel was between that of the Type 44 cavalry rifle and the Type 38 infantry rifle.
Type 38 Infantry Rifle (Early) [三八式歩兵銃]
- Specification
- Caliber: 6.5 mm
- Velocity: 762 m/s
- Weight: 3.73 kg
- Magazine: 5 bullets
- Action: Bolt Action
- Ammunition: 6.5x50mmSR 30th Year Type cartridge
Japanese standard rifle during Asia-Pacific War.
Early model does not have guard for front sight.
Type 38 Infantry Rifle (Middle)
- Specification: same as above
Japanese standard rifle during Asia-Pacific War.
Middle model have guard for front sight.
Type 38 Infantry Rifle (Late)
- Specification: same as above
Japanese standard rifle during Asia-Pacific War.
Late model have modified stock butt.
Sniper Rifles
Type 38 Modified Sniper Rifle [三八式改狙撃銃]
- Specification: Similar to Type 97
High precision Type 38 infantry rifle selected from already-produced rifles. Implemented modification similar to Type 97 sniper rifle.
Note: Type 97 was adopted in February 3, 1938 so modified type 38 will be appears after it. Actually it will not see service in Battle of Shanghai.
Type 97 Sniper Rifle [九七式狙撃銃]
- Specification
- Caliber: 6.5 mm
- Velocity: 762 m/s
- Weight: 4.45 kg
- Magazine: 5 bullets
- Action: Bolt Action
- Ammunition: 6.5x50mmSR Type 38 cartridge
High precision Type 38 infantry rifle selected from production lines. For sniper uses, equipped scope and changed bolt handle’s shape. Different to Type 38 modified, it engraved Type 97.
Note: This gun was adopted in February 3, 1938. Actually it did not see service in Battle of Shanghai.
Submachine Gun
In that time, only Japanese Navy Land Forces are used it. Japanese Army also imported experimentally but they did not adopted.
Also, those submachine guns were modified to able to equip bayonets.
Bergman-type automatic pistol MP18 [ベ式自動拳銃]
- Specification
- Caliber: 7.65 mm
- Velocity: 380 m/s
- Weight: 4.18 kg
- Fire rate: 350-500 rpm
- Magazine: 50 bullets
- Action: Automatic
- Ammunition: 7.65×21mm Parabellum
Shanghai SNLF was unique naval troop regiment optimized for urban warfare. Because of it, Shanghai SNLF become the first Japanese military force to equip submachinegun. Japanese navy called it Bergman-type automatic pistol (ベ式自動拳銃).
Bergmann MP18 was imported by Japanese Navy since 1931 and used by Shanghai SNLF. Also, Japanese Army was not adopted it, but MP18 was used for reference to develop Type 100 submachinegun.
Bergman-type automatic pistol MP28 [ベ式自動拳銃]
- Specification
- Caliber: 7.65 mm
- Velocity: 380 m/s
- Weight: 4.0 kg
- Fire rate: 500-600 rpm
- Magazine: 50 bullets
- Action: Automatic
- Ammunition: 7.65×21mm Parabellum
Haenel MP28. Japanese navy imported this gun for navy land forces and called Bergman-type automatic pistol (ベ式自動拳銃).
** Steyr-type Automatic Pistol S1-100 [ス式自動拳銃]**
- Specification
- Caliber: 7.65 mm
- Velocity: 410 m/s
- Weight: 4.25 kg
- Magazine: 20 bullets
- Action: Automatic
- Ammunition: 7.65×21mm Parabellum
Steyr-Solothurn S1-100. Japanese navy imported this gun for navy land forces and called Steyr-type automatic pistol (ス式自動拳銃).
Light Machine Gun
11th Year Type Light Machine Gun [十一年式軽機関銃]
- Specification
- Caliber: 6.5 mm
- Velocity: 736 m/s
- Magazine: 30 bullets
- Fire rate: 500 rounds per minute
- Weight: 10.3 kg
- Ammunition: 6.5x50mmSR Type 38 cartridge
Japanese light machine gun used since 1920s.
Type 96 Light Machine Gun [九六式軽機関銃]
- Specification
- Caliber: 6.5 mm
- Velocity: 735 m/s
- Magazine: 30 bullets
- Fire rate: 550 rounds per minute
- Weight: 10.2 kg
- Ammunition: 6.5x50mmSR Type 38 cartridge
Successor of 11th Year Type LMG.
Heavy Weapons
Type 89 Heavy Grenade Launcher [八九式重擲弾筒]
- Specification
- Caliber: 50 mm
- Velocity: - m/s
- Weight: 4.7 kg
- Number of shell: 18 ammo per one troop
- Ammunition:
- Type 89 HE (range 670 m)
- Weight: 800 g
- Explosive: TNT 150g
- 10th Year Type Grenade (range 200 m)
- Type 91 Grenade (range 200 m)
- Type 89 HE (range 670 m)
Japanese standard light infantry motor/grenade launcher. This gun can use not only 50 mm Type 89 HE but also able to use normal 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.
Grenade squadron consisted with 3 troops. Each troops bring 18 shells, total 54 ammo.
Type 93 Small Flamethrower [九三式小火焔発射機]
- Specification
- Fuel: 25 kg
- Range: 23-27 m
- Weight: 20 kg
Japanese standard flamethrower. Later it was replaced by modified version, Type 100 flamethrower.
Grenades
Type 91 Grenade [九一式手榴弾]
- Specification
- Weight: 530 g
- Explosive: TNT 65 g
- Fuse: 7-8 seconds
Hand grenade for infantry uses as hand grenade, rifle grenade and Type 89 heavy grenade launcher’s ammunition.
Pistol
14th Year Type Pistol [十四年式拳銃]
- Specification
- Caliber: 8 mm
- Velocity: 325 m/s
- Weight: 0.89 kg
- Magazine: 8 bullets
- Action: semi-auto
- Ammunition: 8x22mm 14th Year Type Pistol Cartridge
Japanese automatic pistol adopted 1925. Mainly used by machine gunner, military police, motorcycle drivers, tanker and pilots. Also, during occupation of Japan it was used for Japanese police’s equipment.
Type 94 Pistol [九四式拳銃]
- Specification
- Caliber: 8 mm
- Velocity: 284 m/s
- Weight: 0.72 kg
- Magazine: 6 bullets
- Action: semi-auto
- Ammunition: 8x22mm 14th Year Type Pistol Cartridge
Japanese pistol for officers to unify their equipment. Also it was used by used by machine gunner, military police, motorcycle drivers, tanker and pilots. Also, during occupation of Japan it was used for Japanese police’s equipment.
Melee weapon
Type 95 Military Sword [九五式軍刀]
- Specification
- Length: 960 mm
- Weight: 1.63 kg
Standard military Japanese sword. It was so-called Samurai sword. Recently, these swords are conceivable as symbol of Japanese militarism.
Engineer’s weapon
Anti-Aircraft Gun:
Hotchkiss 13 mm Anti-Aircraft Machine Gun [ホ式十三粍高射機関銃]
- Specification
- Caliber: 13.2 mm
- Velocity: 800 m/s
- Magazine: 30 bullets
- Fire rate: 450 rounds per minute
- Weight: 26 kg
- Ammunition: 13.2x99mm Type 92 Ball, Type 92 AP, Type 92 Tracer and Type 92 Incendiary
Japanese army’s anti-aircraft cannon. During Battle of Shanghai, they mounted it on the rooftops of buildings for anti-aircraft uses.
Japanese navy also adopted this gun and called Type 93 13 mm machine gun.
Anti-Tank Gun:
Type 94 37 mm Cannon [九四式三十七粍砲]
- Specification
- Caliber: 37 mm
- Velocity: 700 m/s
- Ammunition
- Type 94 AP
- Penetration: 30 mm @ 350 m
- Explosive: 10 g
- Type 94 HE
- Type 94 AP
Japanese standard anti-tank gun adopted in 1934 to replace 11th year type direct-fire infantry gun.
Heavy Machine Gun:
Type 92 Heavy Machine Gun [九二式重機関銃]
- Specification
- Caliber: 7.7 mm
- Velocity: 732 m/s
- Magazine: 30 bullets
- Fire rate: 450 rounds per minute
- Weight: 27.6 kg (include tripod: 55.3 kg)
- Ammunition: 7.7x58mmSR Type 92 Ball Cartridge
Japanese standard heavy machine gun to replace 6.5 mm 3rd Year Type machine gun.
Chinese
Rifles
Hanyang Type 88 Rifle [漢陽八八式步槍]
- Specification
- Caliber: 7.92 mm
- Velocity: 600 m/s
- Weight: 4.06 kg
- Magazine: 5 bullets
- Action: Bolt Action
- Ammunition: 7.92×57mm Mauser
Chinese first domestic-production bolt-action rifle used since Qing dynasty. After Zhongzheng rifle was adopted, RoC try to replace it but because of Japanese invasion their project was delayed and production was continued until 1944.
First-Year Type Rifle [元年式步槍]
- Specification
- Caliber: 6.8 mm
- Velocity: 650m/s
- Weight: 4.09 kg
- Magazine: 5 bullets
- Action: Bolt Action
- Ammunition: 6.8x57 mm Mauser
License production variant of Mauser M1898 with 6.5x57 mm cartridge. Similar to Japan, at that time, Chinese people were small, so they chose one with a small recoil.
4th Year Type Rifle [四年式步槍]
- Specification
- Caliber: 7.92 mm
- Velocity: 878m/s
- Weight: 4.09 kg
- Magazine: 5 bullets
- Action: Bolt Action
- Ammunition: 7.92×57mm Mauser
7.92 mm variant of first-year type rifle.
Zhongzheng Rifle [中正式步槍]
- Specification
- Caliber: 7.92 mm
- Velocity: 810 m/s
- Weight: 4.08 kg
- Magazine: 5 bullets
- Action: Bolt Action
- Ammunition: 7.92×57mm Mauser
Also called “Chiang Kai-shek rifle”. (Zhongzheng is courtesy name [字] of Chiang Kai-shek.)
It was license-production variant of Mauser Model 24 rifle. Compare to Japanese Type 38, stopping power, effective range, nd weight was superior.
ZH-29 Rifle [ZH-29步槍]
- Specification
- Caliber: 7.92 mm
- Velocity: 808 m/s
- Weight: 4.5 kg
- Magazine: 5/10/25 bullets
- Action: semi-auto
- Ammunition: 7.92×57mm Mauser
Check Slovakian semi-auto rifle manufactured by Zbrojovka Brno. Before 2nd Chino-Japanese war, Chinese imported this gun. Japanese also captured from them and Tokyo Gas Electric Ind. copied it, but it was not adopted.
Assault weapon
In that time, only Japanese Navy Land Forces are used it. Japanese Army also imported experimentally but they did not adopted.
Also, those submachine guns were modified to able to equip bayonets.
MP18 [MP18衝鋒槍]
- Specification
- Caliber: 9.19 mm
- Velocity: 380 m/s
- Weight: 4.18 kg
- Fire rate: 350-500 rpm
- Magazine: 50 bullets
- Action: Automatic
- Ammunition: 9×19mm Parabellum
Mainly submachine guns were used by elite soldiers. Not only import but also they copied and manufactured at several Chinese arsenals.
MP28 [MP28衝鋒槍]
- Specification
- Caliber: 7.65 mm
- Velocity: 380 m/s
- Weight: 4.0 kg
- Fire rate: 500-600 rpm
- Magazine: 50 bullets
- Action: Automatic
- Ammunition: 9×19mm Parabellum
Mainly submachine guns were used by elite soldiers. Not only import but also they copied and manufactured at several Chinese arsenals.
Light Machine Gun
SIG KE7
- Specification
- Caliber: 7.92 mm
- Velocity: - m/s
- Magazine: 25 bullets
- Fire rate: 550 rounds per minute
- Weight: 8.2 kg
- Ammunition: 7.92x57 mm Mauser
Chinese purchased 6000 guns and manufactured copy of it during 2nd Chino-Japanese war.
ZB vz.26
- Specification
- Caliber: 6.5 mm
- Velocity: 735 m/s
- Magazine: 30 bullets
- Fire rate: 550 rounds per minute
- Weight: 10.2 kg
- Ammunition: 6.5x50mmSR Type 38 cartridge
Japanese called it “Check” Machine Gun and afraid it because specification is superior to Japanese heavy machine guns. Because of it, Japanese often capture and used it. Also after Japanese captured Chinese arsenal, they start to mass-produce this machine gun and finally Japanese operated over twenty thousands of it.
Heavy Weapon
Type 20 82cm Motor
- Specification
- Caliber: 82 mm
- Velocity: - m/s
- Weight: - kg
Chinese standard infantry motor used during 2nd Chino-Japanese war.
Grenade
Copy of German M24 Grenade with short handle
During the war, Chinese produced German M24 grenade. Compare to original, length of handle get shorter.
Pistol
Hanyang C96
- Specification
- Caliber: 7.63 mm
- Velocity: 430 m/s
- Weight: 1.1 kg
- Magazine: 6/10/20 bullets
- Action: semi-auto
- Ammunition: 7.63x25 Mauser
Copy of Mauser C96. During early 20th century, C96 pistol was very popular in China.
Melee weapon
Dadao (大刀, Large Sword)
Because of lack of munition, sometimes Chinese used swords. Japanese sometimes misunderstand it is yanyuedao: Chinese traditional sword known by famous Chinese story, “Romance of the Three Kingdoms”.
Engineer’s weapon
Anti-Aircraft Gun:
Solothurn ST-5
- Specification
- Caliber: 20 mm
- Velocity: 850 m/s
- Magazine: 20 bullets
- Fire rate: 320 rounds per minute
- Weight: 80 kg
- Ammunition: 20×138mmB cartridge
Chinese popular anti-aircraft autocannon during 2nd Chino-Japanese war. Sometimes this gun was also used for attack Japanese ground forces.
Anti-Tank Gun:
37 mm PaK36
- Specification
- Caliber: 37 mm
- Velocity: 762 m/s
- Penetration: 31 mm @ 500 m
Before the start of war, Chinese imported some this cannon and used to attack Japanese AFVs.
Heavy Machine Gun:
Type 24 Heavy Machine Gun
- Specification
- Caliber: 7.92 mm
- Velocity: 770-780 m/s
- Magazine: belt
- Fire rate: 600 rounds per minute
- Weight: 49 kg
- Ammunition: 7.92×57mm Mauser
Chinese standard heavy machine gun used during Chino-Japanese war.
AFVs
In Japanese side, Shanghai SNLF equipped several armored cars and tanks to support their infantry. Also, after army forces are landed, army’s armored cars and tanks saw service around Shanghai.
In Chinese side, they equipped imported tanks. Especially Vickers 6-ton tank had better specification than Japanese ones.
Japanese
Tanker (1)
Unlock Squadron: 8th Light Armored Car Company, Separated
Unlock Vehicle: Type 94 Light Armored Car
- Specification
- Speed: 40 km/h
- Armor: 8-12 mm
- Weapon: 1x 6.5 mm Type 91
Type 94 Light Armored Car (tankette), aka Te-Ke is small armored tractor developed 1930s.
It did not have enough armor and weapon, but sometimes it was used for support infantry.
Tanker (2)
Unlock Squadron: Shanghai SNLF 3rd Battalion, IJN 3rd Fleet
Unlock Vehicle: Vickers-Crossley Armored Car
- Specification
- Speed: 64 km/h
- Armor: 5.5 mm
- Weapon: 2x 7.7 mm Vickers
Since 1920s, Shanghai SNLF start to equip Vickers-Crossley armored car to make possible to defend their concession with less troops. In the January 28 incident, its effectiveness was highly evaluated and later they developed Type 93 Armored Car for successor.
However, armor thickness of this vehicle was too thin and sometimes rifle bullets could penetrate armor.
Tanker (3)
Unlock Squadron: 5th Tank Battalion
Unlock Vehicle: Type 89 Medium Tank Ko
- Specification
- Speed: 64 km/h
- Armor: 15-17 mm
- Weapon: 1x 57 mm Type 90, 2x 6.5 mm Type 91
Type 89 Medium Tank, aka I-Go is Japanese first mass-produced tank. It equips short-barrel 57 mm tank gun to destroy enemy encampment. Similar to other Japanese tanks, it does not have coaxial machine gun. To use turret machine gun, need to reverse main turret.
Chinese
Tanker (1)
Unlock Squadron: Chinese Army Tank Battalion 2nd Company
Unlock Vehicle: Carden-Loyd tankette
- Specification
- Speed: 48 km/h
- Armor: 6-9 mm
- Weapon: 1x 7.7 mm Vickers
It was the first Chinese armored vehicle. It does not have top armor and have only single 7.7 mm machine gun. Not only Chinese but also Japanese Shanghai SNLF equipped this vehicle until 1945, too.
Tanker (2)
Unlock Squadron: Chinese Army Tank Battalion 3rd Company
Unlock Vehicle: Panzer I
- Specification
- Speed: 37 km/h
- Armor: 13 mm
- Weapon: 2x 7.92 mm MG13
Chinese was imported 16 Panzer I tank and used for defend of Nanjing.
Tanker (3)
Unlock Squadron: Chinese Army Tank Battalion 1st Company
Unlock Vehicle: Vickers 6-ton tank Type B
- Specification
- Speed: 35 km/h
- Armor: 5-13 mm
- Weapon: 1x 7.7 mm Vickers, 1x 47 mm OQF 3-pdr
1st Company the Tank Battalion were participated to the Battle of Shanghai to destroy Japanese encampment. However, due to lack of training, tanks were separated from allied infantry and destroyed by the Japanese anti-tank gun.
Aircrafts
Both forces operated lots of aircrafts to this battle. Chinese air force had about 180 aircrafts and Japanese navy had about 500 aircrafts. In case of Japanese side, their air cover provided from airbase at Taiwan, aircraft carriers in offshore and cruisers in Shanghai. Also, in later, they build airfield in Shanghai. At first, they disregard fighters and focused to bombing.
In Chinese side, they try to bomb Japanese warships in Shanghai to sunk them, but it was failed. However, their fighters got high result and shot down lots of Japanese bombers.
Japanese
Attacker (1)
Squadron: Kaga Air Squadron, 1st Carrier Division
Unlock Vehicle: Type 94 Carrier-Based Bomber (Aichi D1A1 Susie)
- Specification
- Speed: 281 km/h
- Bomb: 2x 30 kg / 1x 250 kg
- Gun: 2x 7.7 mm Vickers (forward), 1x 7.7 mm Type 92 (flexible)
During the Battle of Shanghai, Japanese carrier forces were located in offshore of Shanghai to provide air cover. Among them, Kaga was the largest aircraft carrier. In August 15, they dispatched 16x D1A, 16x B2M and 13x B4Y to bomb Chinese airfield, but because of disregard of fighters, they did not dispatch escort fighters. As a result of it, they were intercepted by Chinese Hawk III fighters and Japanese lost 10 bombers and 29 crews.
Attacker (2)
Squadron: 1st Combined Air Group
Unlock Vehicle: Type 96 Mark 1 Ground-Based Attacker (Mitsubishi G3M1 Nell)
- Specification
- Speed: 348 km/h
- Bomb: 12x 60kg / 2x 250 kg / 1x 500 kg / 1x 800kg / 1x torpedo
- Gun: 3x 7.7 mm Type 92 (flexible)
1st Combined Air Group (第一連合航空隊) is Japanese ground-based naval bomber group consisted by Kanoya Air Group and Kisarazu Air Group which operating Mitsubishi G3M1. Japanese navy combined both air group and moved them to Taiwan because to attack Chinese airfields, they decide to use newest medium bomber, G3M1. However, because of overconfidence of specification of G3M1 and disregard of fighters, they did not operated fighters to escort them. As a result of it, they were intercepted by ROCAF 4th Battalion lead by ace pilot Gao Zhihang and they suffered a one-sided defeat.
Fighter (1)
Squadron: 10th Flying Company Separated, 3rd Flying Battalion
Unlock Vehicle: Type 95 Fighter (Nakajima Ki-10 Perry)
- Specification
- Speed: 400 km/h
- Bomb: N/A
- Gun: 2x 7.7 mm Type 89 fixed Ko & Otsu (forward)
10th Flying Company, Separated (10Fcs) was fighter company separated from 7th Flying Regiment. During the Battle of Shanghai, this company was dispatched to Shanghai as a part of the Imperial Japanese Army Shanghai Expeditionary Force. This company equipped with biplane fighter, Ki-10.
Fighter (2)
Squadron: 2nd Combined Air Group
Unlock Vehicle: Type 96 Mark 1 Carrier-Based Fighter (Mitsubishi A5M1 Claude)
- Specification
- Speed: 406 km/h
- Bomb: 2x 30 kg
- Gun: 2x 7.7 mm Vickers (forward)
2nd Combined Air Group was naval aircraft groups located in Gonda (公大) airfield, Shanghai. Operations of carrier air squadrons were limited by weather, but Chinese air forces was serious threat for Japanese forces. Because of it, carrier air squadrons were moved to ground airfield to bomb Chinese ground forces and airfields. Different to early-time, they learned that Chinese fighters are very serious threat for their bombers, so they decide to dispatch newest fighter, A5M1. Originally it was deployed to Kaga air squadron but in real operations they were belonged to 2nd combined air group.
Chinese
Attacker (1)
Unlock Squadron: ROCAF 2nd Battalion
Unlock Vehicle: Northrop Gamma 2EC
- Specification
- Speed: 328 km/h
- Bomb: ~ 1600 lbs (725 kg)
- 4x 7.62 mm M1919 (forward), 1x 7.62 mm M1919 (flexible)
Just after start of Battle of Shanghai, Chinese decide to bomb Japanese warships in Shanghai. 2nd Battalion operated Northrop Gamma 2EC and tried to bomb enemy flagship, Izmo, but unfortunately their mission was failed.
Attacker (2)
Unlock Squadron: ROCAF 8th Battalion
Unlock Vehicle: Martine 139W
- Specification
- Speed: 343 km/h
- Bomb: ~ 2,260 lbs (1025 kg)
- 3x 7.62 mm M1919 (flexible)
Martine 139W is exportation variant of American Martine B-10 bomber. The notable activity of them is the first “bombing” to mainland of Japan. In that operation, because of limit of specification they could not use actual bomb but they dropped propaganda papers and claimed their humanity and legitimacy.
Fighter (1)
Unlock Squadron: ROCAF 5th Battalion
Unlock Vehicle: Curtis Hawk II
- Curtis Hawk II
- Speed: 325 km/h
- Bomb: 1x 474 lb (215 kg) / 2x 117 lb (53 kg)
- 2x 7.62 mm M1919
Curtis Hawk II was exportation variant of Curtis F11C Goshawk. During the Battle of Shanghai, this fighter fought against Japanese A5M and shootdown it.
Fighter (2)
Unlock Squadron: ROCAF 4th Battalion
Unlock Vehicle: Curtis Hawk III
- Curtis Hawk III
- Speed: 410 km/h
- Bomb: 1x 474 lb (215 kg) / 2x 117 lb (53 kg)
- 1x 7.62 mm M1919, 1x 12.7 mm M2 (forward)
Curtis Hawk III is exportation variant of Curtiss BF2C Goshawk. 4th Battalion, was lead by famous ace pilot Gao Zhihang and shot down lots of Japanese naval aircrafts. Especially, battle in August 14 was the first winning for Chinese air force.
