Chinese Eighth Route Army of Justice Behind Enemy Lines (Heavy Weapons Specialists) WWII – Custom Printed Brick Block Figure

English Translation & Set Overview

• English Translation / Set Title: WWII Chinese Army of Justice Behind Enemy Lines – Collector’s Edition 2-Figure Set (Heavy Weapons Specialists)

• Historical Era: Second Sino-Japanese War / World War II (1937–1945)

• Faction: Chinese Armed Forces (Eighth Route Army / Guerrilla Forces)

This set brings together two essential support roles from the Chinese forces operating behind enemy lines: the Machine Gunner and the Mortarman. Both wear the iconic blue-grey uniforms and are heavily burdened with the specialized gear needed to keep their respective squad weapons firing.

1. The Squad Machine Gunner (Left Figure)

Character Identification, Detailed Description, and Historical Background This figure represents a highly valued Squad Machine Gunner (机枪手). He is immediately distinguishable by his asymmetrical tactical webbing, which was historically designed to hold maintenance tools and spare parts for light machine guns rather than standard rifle clips.

• Detailed Character Description:

  • Headgear & Face: He wears a classic blue-grey soft field cap featuring two printed front buttons and a prominent white circular badge on the crown (a placeholder for the national emblem used during the United Front). His face portrays a calm, confident, and battle-hardened expression.

  • Torso (Specialized Gunner Gear): He is outfitted in the traditional blue-grey cotton military tunic, complete with a printed white rectangular armband denoting his unit affiliation. Over his tunic, he wears specialized chest webbing: on the right side hangs a grey cylindrical canister (historically for gun oil or cleaning kits), and on his left hip rests a large brown leather-style pouch for carrying crucial spare parts like extractor springs and firing pins.

  • Legs & Footwear: His trousers are bound at the calves with tightly wrapped black puttees (cloth leg wraps), ending in traditional black cloth shoes with white soles.

• Historical Background: During the Second Sino-Japanese War, Chinese guerrilla and regular forces severely lacked heavy artillery and armor. Consequently, the Light Machine Gun (LMG)—particularly the ZB vz. 26—became the absolute backbone of their infantry firepower. Machine gunners were vital for laying down suppressive fire against highly mechanized enemy charges. Their specialized tool pouches were essential, as keeping an automatic weapon functioning in muddy, dusty, and freezing conditions was a matter of squad survival.

2. The Heavy Mortarman (Right Figure)

Character Identification, Detailed Description, and Historical Background This figure represents a specialized Mortar Gunner (迫击炮手). He is easily identified by his massive, rectangular chest pouches designed specifically to carry heavy, explosive mortar rounds into the mountains.

• Detailed Character Description:

  • Headgear & Face: He wears the same blue-grey soft field cap with the white badge. However, his face print tells a story of intense combat: he has a red star-shaped scar or wound on his left cheek and a stoic, exhausted expression, reflecting the grueling physical toll of his role.

  • Torso (Heavy Ordinance Gear): Over his blue-grey cotton tunic and white armband, he wears a thick khaki canvas chest rig. This rig features two massive, rectangular pouches secured by brown straps and brass-colored buckles. A thick diagonal canvas strap helps distribute the immense weight of the explosive mortar shells he carries on his chest.

  • Legs & Footwear: Mirroring his comrade, he wears the iconic black puttees and black cloth peasant shoes, providing the mobility needed for traversing treacherous mountain passes.

• Historical Background: For forces operating “behind enemy lines” (like the Eighth Route Army), mortars were the ultimate equalizer. Often referred to as “pocket artillery,” mortars could be broken down and carried by infantrymen through steep, roadless terrain where traditional cannons could not go. The mortarmen endured grueling labor, carrying the heavy iron tubes, baseplates, and these bulky chest pouches full of explosive shells for dozens of miles a day to set up devastating surprise bombardments on enemy strongholds and supply lines.