Soldiers

105mm calibre and larger howitzers were employed at the divisional level. These long-ranged, heavy-hitting, weapons could sometimes be overrun and in bolt action provide a fearsome objective to take on for both men and machines.

After the the initial spectacular success of the German invasion of Russia in 1941 the invasion slowed to a crawl as the weather and hard fighting ground down their formations. Desperate to shore up the front seven regiments were formed of non-flying personnel taken from the German air force, the Luftwaffe. These regiments were equipped with standard infantry weapons, and sent to quieter areas of the front to gain experience.

As the war continued more and more Luftwaffe personnel were drafted into what became Luftwaffe Field Divisions, 21 divisions being formed with 12,500 men in each at full strength. They wore the trademark Luftwaffe blue/grey uniforms and many also donned the long camouflaged M1942 jacket or zeltbahn tent capes.

Despite their poor levels of training, they fought bravely in Normandy, in Italy and on the Russian front. The average age of the soldier in these units was 30 years old - much older than other front line troops. These difficulties led them to take more casualties than the regular army units but despite these shortcomings Luftwaffe Field Division troops earned 18 of the coveted Knights Cross medals in the three years that they saw service.

This Warlord Games Bolt Action Game box contains a 10-man Luftwaffe Field Division Squad:

• 1 NCO and two soldiers with SMGs
• 1 MG13 LMG team
• 2 Riflemen with Panzerfausts
• 3 riflemen

In 1943 the US high command raised a unit to rival the famous British Chindits, men who were to take the war to the Japanese behind their lines. They were officially called 5307 Composite Unit but, under their tough and charismatic leader – Brigadier General Frank Merrill – soon earned their famous name.

These hard-marching, tough volunteers raided Japanese supply lines and airfields, carrying their supplies by mule and by horse. 3,000 strong, the three battalions were equipped with a variety of semi- and fully-automatic weapons, as well as their trademark headgear. They were further toughened by intense training and marksmanship courses.

Their support weapons, man-portable by necessity, consisted of bazookas and 60mm mortars, and even occasionally Boys anti-tank rifles. They fought in numerous raids and earned a reputation for tenacity and jungle-fighting skills, helped on many occasions by native Kachin scouts who knew the terrain of the Burma theatre. Merrill,s Marauders were a tough unit and uniquely each man who served in the three battalions was awarded a Bronze Star medal. Their specialist skills will be of great use to US players in games of Bolt Action.

This Warlord Games box set contains a 10-man Marauders Squad: • 1 NCO and three soldiers with SMGs • 2 soldiers with BARs • 4 riflemen

Soviet 50mm Light Mortar and Flamethrower Teams. This Warlord Games Blister pack contains 4 metal figures and 1 metal mortar.

When the German army crashed over the Russian border in 1941, Hitler was confident of a short, sharp campaign. He nearly got one, but heroic defence by the massive Soviet armies slowed the Nazi advance. It was done by the simple private soldier, "Ivan" as the Germans called him. Brave, solid, and loyal, these soldiers endured dreadful battle conditions. Their equipment was unsophisticated but functional, much like the troops themselves.

The bitter fighting in Finland had taught some hard lessons to the Red Army where thousands of their men fell victim to frostbite. The cold weather kit later issued was warm and comfortable, frequently padded or quilted, and was much envied by the German troops shivering in thin overcoats.

These tough men could lie out in the snow for hours before making their attacks. Urrah!

Soviet Infantry (Winter) contains:

Enough plastic components to make 40 Soviet Union infantry miniatures, equipped to fight in the harsh winter of the Eastern Front. Includes a host of options to allow for different weapons and command models.

Weapons included:

Mosin-Nagant rifle (scoped, with bayonet and without), PTRD Anti-tank rifle, submachine guns (PPS-43 , PPSh-41 and PPD-40), Mosin-Nagant carbine, DT-28 light machine gun, Tokarev semi-automatic rifle (and bayonet version), pistols and rifle grenade launcher. Also includes captured Panzerfaust and MP40 SMG! Round plastic bases (25mm diameter) Background leaflet.

This Warlord pack contains a 3 man US HQ Squad in winter fatigues plus 1 mortar: Our latest Warlord Range is perfect for bringing the battles into the winter of 1944-45. Packed with character that really shows how unprepared for the truly bitter winter, which hit Europe that year, the US forces really were.

Waffen SS Warlord Games comprises a brand new plastic frame packed with superbly sculpted detail, including camouflage on the helmets, loose weaponry and equipment, and even a broom handled Mauser pistol.

This Warlord Games box set also includes optional heads for SS-Handschar.

Contains:

• Plastic components to make 30 mid-late war Waffen SS Grenadier figures. Includes options for different weapon configurations and command models.
• Equipment included: STG44 assault rifle, Kar 98K rifle, MG42 light machine gun, MP40 sub-machine gun, Gewehr 43 rifle, stick grenades, Panzerfaust, field glasses and a broom-handled Mauser pistol
• Round plastic bases (25mm diameter).
• Construction leaflet.
• Full-colour waterslide decals.