Global War 1936-1945: Manchuko – Puppets of the Empire

Historical Background

Manchukuo was a puppet state of the Japanese Empire. The Japanese seized the area in 1931 on the fabricated pretext of Chinese aggression known as the Mukden Incident. In truth, the Japanese desired the region (known as Manchuria) for its extensive wealth of minerals. The Japanese attempted to bring large numbers of settlers into the area to colonize and farm and during the Japanese occupation Manchukuo’s industrial base expanded rapidly. Cities, factories and railways were modernized. Between 1938 and 1942 about 200,000 Japanese farmers immigrated to Manchukuo. The Soviets reportedly captured and repatriated 850,000 Japanese settlers after their invasion of Manchukuo in 1945. The Japanese used Manchuria to prepare for war, creating industry and infrastructure to support their planned conquest of Asia.

Resistance to the Japanese occupation grew with time. By 1935 a combination of anti-Japanese forces including Communists and Korean resistance fighters totaling about 40,000 men formed into armies. The Communist Chinese (CCP) operated guerilla units inside the occupied territory that targeted Japanese occupiers but also spread the social ideals of the party. Until 1937 resistance fighters engaged in anti-government operations designed to subvert Japanese governance. After the war began these fighters presented a serious threat to the Japanese and Manchukuo government who were continually forced to use their troops to deal with them. It took until 1942 for the Japanese to pacify the region.

The Japanese were not without competition; the Soviet Union had long had designs on Manchuria. The Japanese and Soviets fought a number of border skirmishes between 1935 and 1939.

Welcome to Manchukuo! A battleground of occupiers, liberators, and revolutionaries! In the expansion set Manchukuo your alliance will battle for the control of resources, industry and ultimately, the destiny of this important region.

SET CONTENTS

• Manchukuo Nation Roundel (x5) • CCP Nation Roundel (x3) • Infantry (x6) • Motorized Infantry (x1) • BA-6 Armored Car (x1) • Cavalry (Painted) x1 • Artillery (x2) • Militia Marker (x2) • Manchukuo Imperial Guard Marker (x1) • Kwangtung Army Marker (x4) • Patrol River Boat Marker (x2) • Minor Factory Marker (x2)