The second wave of Australians has hit the shores of the Pacific theatre! The guerilla warfare has intensified!
This article is jam-packed with releases! We broke down the list of contents right here:
- Australian 40mm Bofors AA gun (Pacific)
- Australian 2-pdr light anti-tank gun (Pacific)
- Australian 6-pdr anti-tank gun (Pacific)
- Australian 75mm pack howitzer (Pacific)
- Australian platoon scout team (Pacific)
- Australian medic team (Pacific)
- Australian Forward Observer team (Pacific)
- Kachin Native Irregular Squad
- Battle for the Jungle – Australian Second Wave Release Set
Australian 40mm Bofors AA gun (Pacific)
One of the most popular and recognisable anti-aircraft guns of WWII, the Bofors was used by many Allied and Axis forces. Often firing over open sights at ground targets as well as it’s intended role as an anti-craft gun, the Bofors was the most common anti-aircraft gun of the war. The Bofors saw action in every theatre, and provided a reliable anti-aircraft mount that is still in use to this day!
Wherever possible, the Australians deployed their Bofors guns to defend against marauding Japanese aircraft, especially around Allied airfields.
Australian 2-pdr light anti-tank gun (Pacific)
At the outbreak of war, the QF 2-pdr was the standard anti-tank gun of the British Army. It was an adequate weapon for the time, being slightly more effective in terms of armour penetration then the contemporary German 37mm PaK 36.
Most anti-tank men were reassigned under the Jungle Division restructure. Those few that remained formed ‘Tank Attack’ units and were equipped with both 2pdr and 6pdr AT guns supplied from Britain, although these were of very limited use in the jungle environment of New Guinea and so only saw regular usage in Borneo from 1944 onwards.
Australian 6-pdr anti-tank gun (Pacific)
The QF 6-pdr was the highly successful replacement for the 2-pdr, being copied by the Americans as the 57mm gun, M1. Its useful lifespan was extended by new developments in ammunition that improved its armour penetration capabilities allowing it to knock out heavy tanks from the flank.
Although supplemented by the 17-pdr, it was never entirely replaced and continued to serve in infantry units long after the war ended.
Australian 75mm pack howitzer (Pacific)
The ubiquitous 25pdr was the standard artillery piece of the Australian Army in the Pacific theatre, as it had been in the desert. The complete lack of roads and the dense jungle terrain encountered on the Pacific islands meant that deploying these guns was extremely difficult.
One solution was to modify the gun by removing the gun shield and shortening the barrel. These were known as the 25pdr ‘Short’ and were 500kg lighter than the original, able to be man-handled and air-dropped. The special anti-tank ammunition was not normally issued in the Pacific theatre.
Australian platoon scout team (Pacific)
Japanese ambushes required a change in tactics to the desert fighting experienced so far. Instead of having the majority of a platoon’s sections ‘up front’, the Australians learnt to hold their platoons main strength in reserve until the enemy revealed himself. The forward scouts led the way for their platoon, risking death at any moment, this job was rotated regularly to make sure the scouts were always alert.
Australian medic team (Pacific)
Medical support in the jungle was vital, with tropical diseases causing more casualties than enemy fire. Lucky for the Australians, they could call on the local Papuans to assist them in evacuating the wounded by stretcher as the terrain made it impossible for vehicles to perform this role.
In the Pacific theatre, the Japanese often deliberately targeted medics, so the Australians stopped wearing the Red Cross and some went into action armed.
Australian Forward Observer team (Pacific)
Although the terrain prevented constant artillery support, in some key battles the Australian Field Regiment’s 25pdrs could be dragged into position to soften up a Japanese defensive position.
If conditions were suitable, Australians could also call upon the 1st Tactical Air Force consisting of RAAF fighter-bombers.
Kachin Native Irregular Squad
All sides made extensive use of native irregulars in the Burma theatre. Allied forces received help from Naga tribesmen in the mountainous northwest and from Chin, Karen and Kachin irregulars. These troops risked their lives many times over to help the deep penetration raids conducted into the inhospitable jungles and mountains in the north of the country.
This blister contains 10 men, in various poses, most of them armed with rifles except the NCO who has a submachine gun.
Battle for the Jungle – Australian Second Wave Release Set
Reinforcements have arrived! Australia and her Allies and unleashed a new wave of men and equipment ready to beat the Axis forces back and to finally conquer the Pacific!
This set contains:
- 1 x Australian 40mm Bofors AA gun (Pacific)
- 1 x Australian 2-pdr light anti-tank gun (Pacific)
- 1 x Australian 6-pdr anti-tank gun (Pacific)
- 1 x Australian 75mm pack howitzer (Pacific)
- 1 x Australian platoon scout team (Pacific)
- 1 x Australian medic team (Pacific)
- 1 x Australian Forward Observer team (Pacific)
- 1 x Kachin Native Irregular Squad
Gear up and head to war!
This set is a perfect starter into the jungles of New Guinea…
- Australian Officer Team (Pacific)
- Australian militia infantry section (Pacific)
- Australian Jungle Division infantry section (Pacific)
- 2x Papuan Infantry Battalion section (Pacific)
- Australian PIAT and anti-tank rifle teams (Pacific)
- Australian short 25-pdr (Pacific)
- M3 Stuart
Or collect one of everything and get your hands on the upcoming jungle modified Matilda ahead of general release…
- Bolt Action Campaign: New Guinea
- Corporal ‘Bull’ Allen – New Guinea campaign book figure
- Australian Jungle Division infantry section
- Australian militia infantry section (Pacific)
- Papuan Infantry Battalion section (Pacific)
- Australian short 25-pdr (Pacific)
- Australian PIAT and anti-tank rifle teams (Pacific)
- Australian medium mortar team (Pacific)
- Australian MMG team (Pacific)
- Australian flamethrower, light mortar and sniper teams (Pacific)
- Australian Officer Team (Pacific)
- Australian Matilda MkII tank (inc.CS/Frog flamethrower)
Dan Hewitson
Tom Mecredy
Craig Nixon