The second wave of US Airborne reinforcements have finally boarded their aircraft & gliders, ready to bring the fight to the Axis forces!
US Airborne Jeep (1944-45)
In June 1940 the American army asked for a vehicle that could “go-anywhere”. The answer was the four-wheel drive Willys MB and the Ford GPW, both models referred to as ‘Jeeps’.
630,000 jeeps were produced by the end of the war. Developed for reconnaissance and liaison duties, the jeep was well suited to a variety of roles and was even used in airborne landings, as depicted here with the remastered Airborne Jeep for Bolt Action!
US Airborne 57mm anti-tank gun (1944-45)
The 57mm M1 anti-tank gun was a close copy of the British QF 6pdr which was itself also used by some American units. The M1 originally fired an armoured-piercing shell weighing 2.272kg but this soon proved to be insufficient to penetrate the armour of the new Panther and Tiger tanks.
In 1944 an APDS (armoured piercing dispensing sabot) shell was developed making this the first gun to have a discarding sabot shot as its service round. HE shells were only available from 1944 onwards. The 57mm anti-tank gun used by US airborne forces has a special carriage that allowed them to be towed as if they were light anti-tank guns.
US Airborne 75mm light artillery (1944-45)
Small Calibre field artillery was not widely used in American Army except by the Paratroopers and Marines. The pack Howitzer (75mm) could be easily moved and, after breaking it down into its component parts, could be dropped by parachute.
US Airborne with looted German weapons (1944-45)
Sometimes weapons and equipment are lost in cargo, on the battlefield or simply left behind! Any soldier will make use of what they can get their hands on, and that includes turning the enemies weapons against their creators…
The 82nd Airborne was even ordered to bring back as many Panzerfaust’s as possible to add to their arsenal!
US Airborne 1500 point army (1944-1945)
Find all these reinforcements in this 1500 point action-packed force:
Gather your men in this complete 1500 point airborne force, compiled from the upcoming Market Garden campaign book. This army includes new units such as the section of 3 airborne armoured jeeps and Dutch Resistance fighters to lead the way!
This bundle contains:
| equipment | level | points | |
| HQ | 1st LT plus 2 men (rifles) | Veteran | 116 |
| Medic | Veteran | 30 | |
| Squad A | 1 NCO (smg 3pts), 5 men (rifles), 2 men (26pts)(smgs 6 pts), 1 LMG (20pts) | Veteran | 130 |
| Squad B | 1 NCO (smg 3pts), 5 men (rifles), 2 men (26pts)(smgs 6 pts), 1 LMG (20pts) | Veteran | 130 |
| Squad C | 1 NCO (smg 3pts), 5 men (rifles), 2 men (rifles)(26pts) | Veteran | 104 |
| LMG Team | 3 men, 1 MMG | Veteran | 65 |
| US Pathfinders (Market Garden) | 1 NCO (smg ), 1 man (smg), 4 men (rifles) | Veteran | 96 |
| US Airborne medium mortar team | 3 crew, 1 medium Mortar | Veteran | 65 |
| US Airborne HMG team | 4 crew, 1 HMG | Veteran | 91 |
| US Airborne Bazooka | 2 crew, 1 rocket | Veteran | 78 |
| US Airborne light mortar team | 2 crew, 1 Light Mortar | Veteran | 52 |
| US Airborne 57mm anti-tank gun (1944-45) A | 3 crew, 1 gun | Veteran | 90 |
| US Airborne 57mm anti-tank gun (1944-45) B | 3 crew, 1 gun | Veteran | 90 |
| US Airborne 75mm light artillery (1944-45) A | 3 crew, 1 gun | Veteran | 54 |
| US Airborne 75mm light artillery (1944-45) B | 3 crew, 1 gun | Veteran | 54 |
| Dutch Resistance Squad | 1 leader (smg), 4 men (4 rifle) | Inexperienced | 38 |
| 3x US Airbourne armoured Jeeps | 1 HMG | Veteran | 216 |
Check out Operation Market Garden!
More US Airborne!
Dan Hewitson
Tom Mecredy
Craig Nixon