The Hazardous conditions continue to hold Warlord in their icy grip – and we’ve called-in more recruits to bolster the US defenses in the forests and fields of Europe 1944!
US Army Bazooka & Sniper Teams (Winter)
The American Bazooka was first used in North Africa and on Tarawa in November 1942. The first version (M1A1) had two grips and a wooden support. By 1943 the new version was released which no longer had the front grip but had an improved electrical firing system. The final version was longer (1.55m) and improved the range from 200–250 yards to 300 yards. The M6 HEAT rocket could easily penetrate 76mm of armour at 30° or 110mm at 90°.
In Bolt Action
Cost: 42pts (Inexperienced), 60pts (Regular), 78pts (Veteran)
Team: 2 men
Weapons: 1 rocket launcher M9A1 Bazooka
Special Rules:
Team weapon
Shaped Charge
The tasks of scouting and sniping were similar in the American Army. In the US manual it was clearly stated that the duty of a sniper was to kill enemy officers in order to damage the morale of the enemy troops. They were equipped with a telescopic sight on a M1903 bolt-action Springfield rifle, and also had close-combat weapons such as pistols and SMGs with which to defend themselves if discovered. Both members of the team had sniper training so the role of spotter was interchangeable.
In Bolt Action
Cost: 52pts (Regular), 67 (Veteran) Team: 2 men
Weapons: Sniper has a bolt-action rifle and a pistol, spotter has a pistol
Options:
Each man can have a submachine gun instead of a pistol for +2pts per man. Special Rules:
Team weapon
Sniper
US Army Flamethrower & Light Mortar Teams (Winter)
Flamethrowers were used throughout the war, especially in the Pacific, to clear out tunnels and bunkers. During the Normandy landings the number of flamethrowers was increased to allow the men to open a gap in the fortified German lines. The following details cover a single flamethrower and assistant.
In Bolt Action
Cost: 50pts (Regular), 65pts (Veteran)
Team: 2 men
Weapons: 1 infantry flamethrower
Special Rules:
Flamethrower
Team weapon
Mortars were the most commonly available type of support weapon. Normally they were deployed in a suitable rear position, no further than 100 yards from the observer in order to ‘cover the most dangerous approaches to the platoon area’. The standard light mortar was of relatively large calibre at 60mm. It fired a correspondingly larger and more effective shell over a greater range than the smaller mortars used by the Germans and British. The only problem was the weight (19kg) that meant a larger team was needed to move it.
In Bolt Action
Cost: 28pts (Inexperienced), 40pts (Regular), 52pts (Veteran)
Team: 3 men
Weapons: 1 light mortar
Special Rules:
Team weapon
Indirect fire
HE (D3)
US Army FOO (Winter)
Forward observers are liaison officers responsible for coordinating the attack of aircraft strikes or heavy artillery batteries firing from far behind the battle lines. They are likely to be accompanied by a radio operator and other immediate attendants. We rate these officers as Regular or Veteran – those of lesser ability being unlikely to find themselves in such an important position.
In Bolt Action
Cost: Artillery Forward Observer 100pts (Regular), 115pts (Veteran) Air Force Forward Observer 75pts (Regular), 90pts (Veteran)
Team: 1 Forward Observer and up to 2 further men
Weapons: Pistol, submachine gun or M1 semi automatic carbine (rifle), as depicted on the models
Options:
The observer may be accompanied by up to 2 men at a cost of +10pts per man (Regular) or +13pts per man (Veteran)
US Army M1 57mm (Winter)
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.
In Bolt Action
Cost: 60pts (Inexperienced), 75pts (Regular), 90pts (Veteran)
Team: 3 men
Weapon: 1 medium anti-tank gun.
Special Rules:
Team Weapon
Fixed
Gun shield
US Army M5 3inch (Winter)
In 1940 the American Army asked for a gun that could effectively stop any tank. The design foresaw a 76.2mm AA barrel while the gun carriage would be that used on the 105mm howitzer. The result did not live up to expectations and the design was shelved. After the invasion of Europe the need for a higher calibre gun forced the army to dust-off the design and around 3,000 were made and issued to Tank Destroyer units. From 1945 they were gradually phased out entirely in favour of mobile Tank Destroyers such as the M10.
In Bolt Action
Cost: 88pts (Inexperienced), 110pts (Regular), 132pts (Veteran)
Team: 4 men
Weapons: 1 heavy anti-tank gun
Special Rules:
Team Weapon
Fixed
Gun shield
US Army M3A1 Half-track with M1 57mm Anti-tank gun(Winter)
Of course, we couldn’t go offering all of these new goodies without including a little something extra – so, we’ve bundled-together the new 57mm Anti-tank gun in Winter gear with the trusty M3A1 half-track as a towing option – and we took the opportunity to give a little discount as well, while we were at it!
With nearly 12,500 units produced throughout the war, the M3A1 was a common sight upon the winter battlefields – and was used both as a troop transport, and a tow… in Bolt Action terms, it’s ability to transport troops or tow make for a versatile battlefield tool – plus, the ability to mount so many Machine Guns can make M3A1s a great pinning unit as well… combine this with the anti-tank capability of the 57mm, and you have a potent pairing!
Cost: 79pts (Inexperienced), 99pts (Regular), 119pts (Veteran)
Weapons: 1 pintle mounted HMG with a 360° arc of fire
Damage Value: 7+ (armoured carrier)
Transport: 12 men
Tow: light, medium or heavy anti-tank gun; light or medium howitzer; light anti-aircraft gun
Options:
– May add up to three additional pintle-mounted MMGs (one covering the left arc, one covering the right arc and one covering the rear arc) for +15pts each
Special Rules:
– Open-topped
US 168th Combat Assault
Representing your 168th Combat Engineers (See this article) you can now get your light reinforced platoon into cover in this action packed set – giving you your officer and 2 squads supported with 2 weapons teams and a hard hitting tank destroyer, plus FREE ruins and sand bags to form your defensive position!
US 168th Combat Engineers Company
Or get a complete Combat reinforced Platoon wrapped up for the winter conditions and ready, under your command, with Divisional support in this attacking force containing;
2 platoons, all the weapon options, plus 57mm AT gun, armoured cars, and your tank destroyer. Includes FREE M3A1 Half-track and Winter HQ set!
Dan Hewitson
Conor Trainer
Tom Mecredy
Craig Nixon