Warlorder Steve M, head of our Trade department shows off his elite units that recently tasted action in a Canadian escalation battle day:
Steve: At least once per year I take the time to watch HBO’s fantastic series, Band of Brothers. For the last few years, I have been promising myself a Bolt Action army to represent Easy Company of the 506th Infantry Parachute Regiment of the 101st (Screaming Eagles) Airborne Division.
A work trip to Canada, where I would take part in an escalation tournament, seemed an ideal deadline and so I set to work on a 500, 750 and 1000 point force to take to the tables.
Having an Elite fighting force was certainly a new experience for me, as my current army of choice is the Home Guard. Needless to say, the Airborne were more resilient and great fun to play than my plucky Dad’s Army. I was keen to utilise the availability of firepower which characterised the US forces so picked the extra MMGs where I could as well as getting some much-needed air support in case of ‘Big Cats’.
As per the Armies of the United States army book (with loads of scenarios and the full list of available troop types) I started with my HQ and 2 squads. I then simply add something from each category to fill up my first 500 points:
500 Points (All Veteran Troops)
2nd Lt – (65 Points) & 1 Rifleman (13)
1st Squad – NCO & 5 Men (1 SMG and all with Anti-Tank Grenades) – 93 Points
2nd Squad – As Above – 93 Points
MMG Team – 65 Points
Bazooka Team – 78 Points
Light Howitzer – 54 Points
Jeep with MMG – 40 Points Army Total – 498 Points
A slight tinker with the addition of the extra MMG team and a 3rd squad brings me up to 750 points for the second battle:
750 Points (All Veteran Troops)
2nd Lt – (65 Points) & 1 Rifleman (13)
Air Observer – 90 Points
1st Squad – NCO & 5 Men (1 SMG and all with Anti-Tank Grenades) – 93 Points
2nd Squad – As above – 93 Points
3rd Squad – As above – 93 Points
MMG Team No.1 – 65 Points
MMG Team No.2 – 65 Points
Bazooka Team – 78 Points
Light Howitzer – 54 Points
Jeep with MMG – 40 Points Army Total – 749 Points
Swap out the Pack Howitzer for an anti-tank gun, in anticipation of those enemy vehicles about to turn up in this larger battle. Add my medic, a 4th squad and a medium mortar with an observer and I have a comfortable 1000 point elite list ready to roll:
1000 Points (All Veteran Troops)
2nd Lt – 65 Points
Medic – 30 Points
Air Observer – 90 Points
1st Squad – NCO & 5 Men (2 SMGs and all with Anti-Tank Grenades) – 96 Points
2nd Squad – As above – 93 Points
3rd Squad – As above – 93 Points
4th Squad – NCO & 5 Men (1 SMG and all with Anti-Tank Grenades) – 93 Points
MMG Team No.1 – 65 Points
MMG Team No.2 – 65 Points
Bazooka Team – 78 Points
Medium Mortar & Spotter – 94 Points
57mm Medium Anti-Tank Gun – 90 Points
Jeep with MMG – 40 Points Army Total – 998 Points
What about Konflikt ’47?
Well, that’s easy! Just add a squad of Firefly jump infantry and the jump capable Jackal and you have a 1250 point elite force for weird WWII
Expanding your Army
The US Airborne have a huge selection to choose from when it comes to building an army. Most of Steve’s have been built around the metal sets for Normandy. If you want a later period force then the plastic set is up for the task, equal in detail to the metal and quite a good place to start. course, if you’re one of those who would like to hand pick your men – either as teams or the whole force then take a look at the airborne range of single figures:
Or go straight to your new army with one of these great armies:
And if you’ve yet to start any Bolt Action then look no further than the ram packed Band Of Brothers Starter – everything from figures to dice and rulebooks, allowing you to get started this weekend!
-
- others
Don’t forget that we have some lovely extras for your armies too!
This fantastic dice bag is ideal for drawing your order dice from during a game of Bolt Action. When not being used in game where better to store the dice
Dan Hewitson
Tom Mecredy
Craig Nixon