So, I suppose a little background may be necessary first, the Soviet-Japanese Border War was a series of conflicts fought between the Soviet Union, Mongolia, Japan, and Manchukuo in Northeast Asia from 1932 to 1939. The two most notable battles were The Battle of Lake Khasan (July 29, 1938 – August 11, 1938), and Battles of Khalkhin Gol (11 May – 16 September 1939).
I think this could make an interesting addition to the game, despite not likely including many ‘new’ weapons. It would add in a new dynamic for the Soviets vs Japan, and could potentially pave the way for a Sino-Japanese campaign, should the developers be interested in exploring that aspect of the War. In addition, post-merge it could offer some much needed variety into playing both the Japanese and Soviet factions.
Now, I will admit, the early date could offer some obstacles. Mainly, due to its nature as an early/pre-war conflict, weaponry selection would be limited. Specifically, nothing adopted before 1939 in either army should really be in this campaing,for example the PPSH-41 or Type 100 SMGs. Personally, I think this could make an interesting scenario were bolt-action rifles would have much more of a focus as compared to automatic weapons.
Finally, the following are an assortment of weapons and vehicles already in game that would have been in service around the time of this Border Conflict. There could of course be more added, however these are just the current weapons in the game.
Where, last time I checked the germans have the Stalingrad and Berlin botfarm because everyone wants the MP-717 and the Tiger II H before the merge, only Moscow is where you can have some fun as the USSR.
Well. Would be new to me that SG is suddenly not Soviet bot farm anymore.
Berlin not so much as it was German botfarm since they add Tigers and crappy IS tanks.
technically for vehicles you can pick up something period appropriate from war thunder to spice up the levels, since it is well known that devs are using vehicles from there so they could add new stuff (but it would likely pollute the lower BRs with even more stuff, yeah):
Maybe something like:
Soviets:
BT-5
I-16 Type 10 or Type 18 (i just want to see Ishak in the main progression damnit)
SB-2M-100 or -103
Japanese:
I-Go
Ki-27 as a counterpart to Soviet fighters
I would also replace B5N with Ki-21
could probably add more, but I cant think of anything rn
EDIT:
Could also use Ki-10 (not sure whether -I or -II will be better) and an earlier I-15 or I-15 bis as the starter fighters
Some corrections regarding the Soviet armament:
-PPD-34/38 was as far as I know, not present during the border conflicts, since the Soviets put SMGs at a very low priority until they got a wake-up call during the Winter War.
Some corrections regarding the Japanese armament:
-Type 99 wasn’t issued until 1940, it was still in its testing phase 1939
-Type I while tested by the Army was only used by the Navy, which ofc wasn’t present at either battle
-S1-100/MP28, both weren’t used by the Japanese Army. The Navy used the Type SU (S1-100) and the Type BE (Modified Sig M1920) but again, no Navy at these battles.
-“Type 2a” the version we have ingame is a later 1942 gun, not to get into this too deep because this gun is a whole mess of horrible research.
-Sig M1920, I recall some Japanese puppet states used these captured from the Chinese, but I doubt any were present at the Border conflicts.
I’d also suggest adding the following:
-The vehicles pointed out by @LM4_Luna above
-Type 97 and Type 94 tankettes
-Type 44 carbine, since cavalry was heavily present during the border conflicts
-Type Kō rifle, if we’re doing Hei and Otsu might as well add Kō. All 3 ofc weren’t present irl but since Enlisted doesn’t care about including prototypes, might as well.
-Type 38 carbine, for obvious reasons
-Type 26 revolver, still in service at this point
-Type 97 20mm AT rifle
I’d also heavily suggest adding Manchukuo as a minor faction (the way Italy is used along Germany in the Tunisia campaign) to Japan and the Mongolian People’s Republic as a minor faction to the Soviets.
These are all great suggestions. If I’m being honest, the extent of my research amounted to checking the years of service of weapons already in-game, and if they were in service in 1939 or earlier then they were included in my list. It was more of just to get a feel for what sorts of weapons could be included. Also keeping in mind that after the merge all of the Soviets and Japanese are going to be one tree.
Love all of this. Especially the idea for minor factions. That could really add some extra flavor to this campaign. Maybe even include weapons unique to the Mongolian or Manchukuo sub-factions.
Biggest problem is;
Those conflicts happened at northern manchuria and inner mongolia.
That place is just extension of mongolian steppes.
Hundres of kilometers of nothingness. flat, treeless area without very little to non human settlements, except couple of camping sites with bunch of temporary tents by herder tribes.
Matches can turn into sniping fest