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Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade
"Jin-Roh" is a movie that could be classified as "psychological/political thriller". It takes place in an alternative history where in WWII, Japan fought against Nazi Germany and lost. Movie action is set about 10 years after the end of war, in Tokyo. Post-war Japan suffers a lot of internal problems due to politics. Anti-government parties rioted, causing themselves to be outlawed. To avoid bringing Army into the city to handle riots, governess created Capital Police (CAPO). Their elite unit were Panzer Units, heavily armored, using the best weapons available.
The movie shows conflict (political and literal) between three main power groups: Police, Panzer Unit and "Sect" - coalition of outlawed anti-government parties.
Panzer Units have the best automatic weaponry available and are practically invincible, although existence of the Unit itself is questioned.
"Sect" works like partisans, using partisan weapons and methods of attack, as if in occupied country.
Police is Police.
The following guns were used in the movie Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade
PPSh-41
PPSh-41 is the Russian sub-machine gun of WWII. Whenever you see it's characteristic drum magazine, you know the person holding it is either Russian soldier, or a partisan. Interesting thing is that Germans captures PPSh during WWII and even converted them to 9mm by changing barrel and magazine well. It was named MP41(r), "r" standing for "Russian". That weapon was not really used though because most German soldiers opened fire at anyone who had this characteristic drum-mag SMG.
PPSh-41 was used by "Sect", building their partisan, perhaps even Communist image (as opposed to right-wing government). You can see it clearly in the initial scenes, where "Sect" members flee in the underground after carrying out bomb attack at Police during riots.
Sten submachine gun
STEN is a universal partisan weapon. During WWII it was produced in millions in English factories and by partisans in Germany-occupied countries. It was very cheap and easy to manufacture and allowed modifications and variations. STENs were used from France to Poland and a figure with this sub-machine gun means simply "I'm a partisan!"
STEN was used by "Sect" in the movie. You can see it in the initial scenes, where the leader of a small "Sect" group has a STEN. Judging by appearance this is Mark II version, the most popular one during real WWII.
Bergmann MP18
MP18 was the first and revolutionary German sub-machine gun. It was developed in 1918 and used in the last moments of WWI. Many MP18 SMGs were sold ,after the war, to Japan. MP18 was also manufactured in Switzerland in 1920's for export to Japan, which would explain it's presence in the movie. Later this weapon evolved into MP28 model II (with mode selector), and then replaced by MP38 and MP40 as the standard Army SMGs.
MP18 was used by "Sect". It's interesting to see it here, as the weapon was quite expensive to make. It is likely that "Sect" obtained them from a fallen soldier/policemen. Model seen in "Jin Roh" is standard issue MP18/I - notice an angled magazine well (this is not magazine!) that was used for snail-drum magazines, same as for Artillery Luger. Snail drums did not work well, and magazine was later changed to normal stick magazines for late batches of MP18/I and for MP28/II.
MP40
MP40 was the standard issue sub-machine gun used by Germans during WWII. It was produced in mass quantities. You can see MP40 and MP38 in hands of German soldiers in almost every WWII movie.
In "Jin Roh" MP40 is used by Police. It can be distinguished from MP38 by a stamped magazine well.
MP41
Germany did not want to export MP40, so they asked Schmeisser to develop a new export version of SMG. He has used MP28/II, MP36/III and MP40 as the basis to build MP41. It looked "classic" with wooden stock, but sported modern technology inside. Wehrmacht required large number of weapons though, and MP41 went to them instead of original buyers. Production stopped in 1942 because it was deemed too expensive compared to MP40. Originally MP41 was issued to German Police units because wooden stock was useful for "crowd control", using it to kick people.
In the movie this weapon is used by Police, as seen in closing scenes when policemen search for Fuse in the underground. In real world MP41 was used by German Police until the end of war, which explains why it is used in "Jin Roh" in similar application.
Walther P38
P-38 was intended as replacement for more expensive Luger P08 in German Army. It was a revolutionary pistol, the best at the time. After WWII it was used until 1990's in slightly modified version.
In the movie it is seen used by Police officer.
Mauser Kar98k
Probably used by Police, in a scene where a grenade is launched from it using special module. Kar98k rifles can be seen slung over the shoulders of German soldiers at the beginning of the film.
Walther PPK (or other variant)
In the movie a Walther belonging to Fuse can be seen hidden in a book. It is unclear if PPK is a standard Panzer weapon (probably not, as they have Mausers C96 while on duty) or his private gun.
Mauser C96
Used by Panzer unit probably as a standard auxiliary weapon. Fuse is seen at the shooting range, training with C96. This pistol was quite difficult to use and a lot of training was required, making the scene more realistic. From the closeup you can see that hammer does not have a hole. Mauser manufactured such models before 1899, it was "cone hammer" early type. In the movie this weapon is either based on old design, or it has been redesigned with hole-less hammer post-war (movie timeline). Either karbine (fixed stock) or normal version with attached wood stock is used by another member of Panzer unit at the end of the movie.
Sturmgewehr 44 (and variant)
Stg44 is used by Panzer Unit during their training.
Apart from the normal weapon this movie shows also another version of Stg44 which shoots rubber bullets. Judging by the front of the gun, different from war-time Stg44, the weapon shown in the movie could be MKb42(H) - an early prototype that became MP43 and then MP44 and finally to Stg44. MKb42(H) was produced in a (relatively) small numbers for field trials, which would explain how it ended up as a training weapon in the movie.
Those weapons are used by Panzer unit during their training, live ammo version on open shooting range, rubber bullets in CQB (Close Quarters Battle) training.
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FG42 type I
FG42 was created because German paratroopers did not have enough firepower. They could only use pistols and grenades while landing, as there was no other gun light enough. German Air Force commissioned their own rifle, developed separately from Army. There were several different models, ranging from initial prototypes to production runs. At least two models (called "early/late", "type I/II" or ) were made in larger numbers. The second model corrected many problems, it was also simplified to make production cheaper. FG42 was an elite weapon produced in small numbers, just a few thousands.
In the movie FG42 is seen in the final standoff, carried by team working with Fuse. Judging by MG42 in hands of Wolf Brigade, FG42 is probably also a very special weapon, available only to selected specialist.
MG42
This is the main weapon of Jin Roh. It is fully automatic, large, loud, terrifying for the people on the wrong end of it. It is attached to Jin Roh unit members to support them while they fire this powerful machine gun.
Walther Kampfpistole (or LeuP 38) (flare pistol)
LeuP, LP, or Leuchtpistole ("glow pistol"), is a series of flare guns made by the Walther starting in 1928. It was the standard flare and signal device of German Army. Around 1934 the original design was replaced by a lighter metal construction, which reduced weight (by half!). Around this time LP was also used for launching grenades and explosives. In 1938 design was simplified to make it cheaper. LP-38 was issued mainly to officers and pilots. In 1942 design was changed again to a much simpler version which began to replace earlier models.
Movie features most likely a variant LeuP 38 (judging by shape) known as "Kampfpistole" or "Leuchtpistole Z". In "Jin-Roh" Police officer shoots Fuse with this weapon during their final stand-off.
Panzerfaust
Molotov Cocktail
Simple version: gasoline-filled bottle with a rag that is put on fire. When thrown, bottle breaks down, petrol forms a cloud that gets ignited from the rag, resulting in a large fireball and explosion. Originally it was developed by the Finnish to fight with invading Russians. Polish Home Army created another variant that exploded on impact, without need for a fire rag. Molotov cocktails are used universally by rebels, partisans, anti-government groups everywhere in the world.
"Sect" uses Molotov cocktails during riots. They obviously throw them at Police.
Tear gas riot gun
In response to rioting Police launches tear gas at the crowd. It is not clear what weapon they use.
Smoke grenade
Smoke (or perhaps tear gas) grenades are used by Panzer unit during their exercises. Note the white strip with a gap - the same marking as used for example on Nebeltopf 39, German WWII smoke grenade.
Homemade bomb
Homemade bombs were used by "Sect" to disrupt manifestations. Details are not shown.
