幻 砲兵, Maboroshi Hōhei, Phantom Gunners

The 幻 砲兵 (Maboroshi Hōhei, Phantom Gunners) are an artillery unit of Takeshi's army, they gained many nicknames over the course of their existance, during the pacific wars the Spanish nicknamed them 'Fantasmas del ejército del arpía' (Ghosts of the harpies' army), the dutch called them 'Verborgen moordenaars' (Hidden Killers), and the Ottomans called them 'مفجرو الكمين, mufjiru alkamin, The ambush bombers'. This division has recieved multiple awards and recognition.

History

In 1588 while Takeshi would let Yasuda work on technological advancements he would work on tactical and strategic advancements on how to use these new technologies. He always knew the importance of disrupting an enemies' supply line, and he did this many times over the unification wars. Artillery had one big advantage over just sending some people to harass a supply line. Artillery was ranged, and so naturally less casualties, and the psychological effect of artillery. He wanted to make a hidden division that would make it too risky or troops simply too scared to carry out their duty of supply other troops. The artillery division would be officially called Maboroshi Hōhei in 1590 when cannon crews started training he took the best from those crews and trained them in the operations that they would be carrying out. In 1592 when war finally came Takeshi would deploy them.

Pacific wars

During the pacific wars they would fulfill their role as an effective stopper of troop transport and supply lines. They would usually take small boats or go through miles of jungle to fine a position in which they would entrench and set up their guns. They would go onto become somewhat of a legend, as just as Takeshi wanted many troops and supply lines could not cross without being shot at. It became too risky to travel the roads which slowed down supplies and reinforcements greatly.

Indo Pacific wars

During the Indo Pacific wars they would play much of the same role, however they would more often find themselves simply ambushing native troops rather than actual organized supply lines. When they finally ended their service almost all of them would be given medals, and only 28 were killed, 18 from disease and 8 went missing, and only 2 from enemy fire.

Composition

Manpower

500 men total, 100 ammo carriers, 200 infantry, 200 cannon operators, 25 pieces. Each cannon crew had 8 protector infantry and 4 ammo carriers. All of them were Samurai, and no Ashigaru units where here.

Equipment

A full kit of cooking equipment, medical equipment, and entrenching tools.

Weaponry

Yūkawa 6 pounder, Yūkawa 12 pounder, Yasuda 10 pounder, Samurai arsenal, Flashcap guns.

Tactics

Their role was usually to simply harass and inconvenience enemy supply lines usually from far behind. They would also act as scouts, and notify the main armies about defenses and infrastructure behind enemy lines. The unit would hide in foliage and dig into a position, using the natural cover to hide them. Grapeshot and shell was almost exclusively used, the only time ironshot was used being when one crew had mistook it for shell.

Type

Artillery

Founding

1592

Overall training Level

Elite

Assumed Veterancy

Decorated/Honored