As the spring of 1940 approached, Hitler and his generals planned a lightning assault of France and the lowlands, intending to exploit speed and mobility to quickly smash through the Netherlands and Belgium and into France. This would avoid becoming bogged down in a static war centred around France’s extensive network of modern border defences, thus repeating the grim outcome of the First World War. But the military might of France was impressive – over 2.2 million soldiers made up the active and reserve divisions of the French army, with more troops stationed on the border with Italy and garrisoned across the French colonial empire. A concerted effort to expand and modernize the French fleet had also resulted in one of the largest and most potent navies in the world. The Battle of France was at hand.
Germany’s plan hinged around rapid action and seizing key objectives before France’s massive military might could be mobilized. The campaign lasted only six weeks and in a few masterfully executed operations, saw Germany eliminate one of the world’s key political players. But, despite popular myths which have materialized in the interim, this six week campaign was far from easy and, despite being abandoned and betrayed by a weak government and the ineffective upper echelons of their own military, the front line French soldiers suffered massive casualties as they stoically dug their heels in and, in many areas, fought to the last man.
The Battle of France Campaign book is the perfect resource for Bolt Action players wanting to explore the early war period in more detail, with plenty of additional units for the British, French, Belgian and German armies and a wealth of background detail on the battles and formations involved
Scenarios
Like all our campaign books, we’ve included a series of detailed scenarios to help you recreate the key battles of the period. There are guidelines on how to build armies for each scenario and clear diagrams for setting out your table. We’ve pulled out all the stops to make these scenarios stand out, with a raft of special rules to keep your games interesting! From the so-called ‘Phoney War’ to the evacuations at Dunkirk and The Battle of Saumar.
Here’s a full list of the scenarios in the book:
- Scenario 1: Reconnaissance Patrol Clash
- Scenario 2: The First Day
- Scenario 3: Crossing the Meuse
- Scenario 4: The Battle of Hannut
- Scenario 5: The Arras Counter-Attack
- Scenario 6: The Defense of the Escaut
- Scenario 7: The Battle of Boulogne
- Scenario 8: The Last Defenders of Calais
- Scenario 9: Dunkirk
- Scenario 10: The Maginot Line
- Scenario 11: The Battle of the Alps
- Scenario 12: The Battle of Saumur
Special Rules
Air Battles
The Battle of France contains special rules, many of which are pertinent to the included scenarios. Whilst Bolt Action is first and foremost an infantry game, a huge number of battles during the Second World War were hugely affected by the air war above: be it support from spotter planes, opportunistic strafing runs from fighters, or pre-planned attacks from dedicated ground attack aircraft. The existing rules already cater for single aircraft called in by an air observer to attack a specified target. The following rules are aimed at a completely different kind of scenario – here, we cater for large air battles above the battlefield where one side is attempting to use a force of bombers to attack the ground units on the table, hopefully with a fighter escort, whilst the defending player is attempting to intercept them with fighters. Whilst these rules were designed for the Dunkirk scenario, they may be used in your own scenarios, should players agree.
Company Commander
The standard Bolt Action rules call for players to form a Reinforced Platoon strength unit to fight a single scenario against an opposing player. Company Commander is a game mode whereby single encounters are linked together into campaigns utilising the same forces, and seeing the progression of core units throughout the fighting. Every army had variations on how units would be organised from Platoon level right up to Corps level; Company Commander gives a single, standardised Company organisation structure for players to adhere to, based largely on the British Army Rifle Company of the Second World War. These rules have only a small effect in game, but vastly reward the invested player as they manage their company between games in their campaign.
Explore More
The Battle of France saw German forces sweep across the Low Countries and towards Paris, crushing Allied resistance in just six weeks. From Fall Gelb and the British withdrawal from Dunkirk to the decisive Fall Rot, this new supplement for Bolt Action allows players to take command of the bitter fighting for France, and to refight the key battles of this campaign. Linked scenarios and new rules, troop types, and Theatre Selectors offer plenty of options for novice and veteran players alike.
As with all our Campaign Books, if you order from the Warlord Webstore, you’ll receive a free special edition miniature. In this case, Captain Pierre Billotte, a tank ace for the French forces! Offer ends 31/01/2021.
French Defence Force 1939 – 1940
The German war machine looms over the French superpower after they already blasted through Belgium and Poland. Standing ready, the French armed forces are trained and prepared to beat the invaders back and show them that the French people are not someone to trifle with.
This bundle has everything you need to get started with an early war French army, including the Armies of France and the Allies book as well as an A5 Bolt Action rulebook, so you’ll have everything you need to wield your new army on the tabletop.
This set contains:
- 1 x French Army HQ Blister Pack
- 1 x French Army Infantry section Blister Pack
- 1 x French Army Cavalry A Blister Pack
- 1 x French Army Cavalry B Blister Pack
- 1 x French Army 105mm medium howitzer Blister Pack
- 1 x Char B1 bis Plastic Tank
- 1 x Armies of France and the Allies
- 1 x A5 Bolt Action Mini Rulebook
Get Started with Bolt Action : Blitzkrieg Germans
This bundle is designed to make it easier than ever to get started with a Blitzkrieg German Platoon using the award-winning Bolt Action rules system.
We’ve hand picked a selection of miniatures to get your collection started – with the options available within providing players with a wide array of weapons and different tactics to employ as they get to grips with their new army. We’ve even suggested a 500 point army list to try out which you can find below.
As well as setting you well on the way to a fantastic collection of miniatures, it includes everything you need to play the game. Full rules are provided in the form of a free A5 Bolt Action rulebook and the Armies of Germany supplement, as well as gaming aids in the form of order dice and plastic pin markers.
Full Bundle Contents:
- Blitzkrieg German Infantry Box Set
- Blitzkrieg German HQ (1939-42)
- Order Dice – Black
- Pin Markers Frame
- Armies of Germany Supplement
- A5 Bolt Action rulebook
