Although in various wargaming lists there are Japanese sniper teams generally available, in the Pacific Australian reports refer more to individual or lone snipers. There is also evidence that some were armed with light machine guns.

At the start of the war with China in 1937 Japan did not use snipers, however after fighting German-trained Chinese snipers, the Japanese Army decided to develop snipers for themselves. Training in camouflage, field craft and other such techniques was common to normal Japanese infantry, but snipers were specially trained only in shooting and given a Type 97 or Type 99 sniper rifle.

In WW2, Japanese snipers were known to tie themselves to the tops of trees to keep themselves and their rifles from falling to the ground if they got shot and wounded.

For our Balikpapan game the Japanese have the option of two lone snipers or two sniper teams so I have decided to paint up both options.

I guess if there are two it is debatable if they are lone snipers!

Tomorrow some sniper teams.