Amongst the most elite of German troops, the German Airborne – the Fallschirmjӓger – fall from the sky today in hard plastic!
The world's first paratroopers to be used in large numbers, the German Fallschirmjager were at the tip of the spear when war broke out in 1939, leading with the first airborne invasion when they assaulted Denmark on 9 April 1940. They went on to lead daring assaults on strategic targets, such as the successful airlandings of Norway and the assault on the fortress at Eben Emael, enabling the following panzers to overrun Europe.
As a paratrooper force, the Fallschirmjӓger's greatest achievement would be the intense fighting they performed as they spearheaded Operation Mercury and seized Crete in the face of more numerous British and Commonwealth forces during 1941. However, the heavy casualties suffered meant that they were never again used en masse as an airlanded force.
Small units still operated by glider and parachute, famously rescuing Italian leader Mussolini from his mountain-top prison, and raiding behind American lines in the Ardennes. With a distinct morale, perhaps their finest hour would undoubtedly be the bitter fighting as they occupied the monastery at Monte Cassino for months in the face of overwhelming odds, earning themselves the nickname Green Devils. The German Paratroopers were arguably the toughest in a tough army.
For those of you wanting to make earlier German Airborne troops, you can utilise the uncovered helmets and paint the models in plain uniforms rather than camouflage jump smocks.
Unlike their Allied counterparts, these German Paratroopers were attached to the German Luftwaffe rather than the army. Fallschirmjager were highly trained, invariably veteran troops!
Warlord Games Fallschirmjӓger miniatures are ideally suited for battles in North West Europe, and can also be used in actions on the Russian Front. Being totally compatible with our other German sprues, such as the Grenadiers, German weapons sprue, and Blitzkrieg plastics, the new plastic Fallschirmjӓger are perfect for individualising – perfect for recreating legendary battles such as Eben Emael, Carentan (we've all seen Band of Brothers, haven't we?), Monte Cassino, and Arnhem. Wherever the Fallschirmjager were found, a bloody struggle was sure to be had…
The rules within the Bolt Action rulebook deal with paratroopers and glider troops by assuming that they have dropped/landed outside the playing area and regrouped by the time they arrive on the table. We feel that the reserve rules (and specifically the Outflank option) allow the player to simulate the situation where these troops arrive on the battlefield from an unexpected direction.
However, you may have watched movies where paratroopers land under fire (such as The Longest Day or A Bridge Too Far) and indeed there have been a few such instances in history, Operation Mercury and most notably during Operation Market-Garden. The optional rules presented in this article Geronimo – Using Air Landing Reinforcements in Bolt Action are an attempt at recreating those few dramatic occurrences in your games of Bolt Action.
Following her excellent tutorial on painting a U.S. Airborne figure, Christy Beall, from Wargames, Soldiers and Strategy, has turned her hand to Bolt Action German Fallschirmjäger and specifically the Splittermuster camo pattern.
Complete your collection with a full Fallschirmjӓger Starter Army.
Box Contents:
- Oberleutnant (Veteran) & two extra riflemen - 116 pts
- Fallschirmjäger Squad – late war (10). 8 Assault Rifles, LMG team, 4 Panzerfausts - 210 pts
- Fallschirmjäger Squad – late war (10). 2 MP40 SMGs, LMG team, 3 Panzerfausts - 191 pts
- Fallschirmjäger Squad – late war (10). 2 MP40 SMGs, LMG team, 3 Panzerfausts - 191 pts
- 81mm Mortar Team with Spotter (Veteran) - 75 pts
- Panzerschreck Team (Veteran) - 104 pts
- Flame-thrower Team (Veteran) - 65 pts
- Sniper Team (Veteran) - 65 pts
- 75mm PaK 40 anti-tank gun (Veteran) - 132 pts
- Plastic Sd.Kfz 251 Ausf. D half-track with additional rear-facing MMG (Veteran) - 122 pts
- Plastic StuG III Ausf G (Regular) - 230 pts
Total: 1,501 pts
Made from the components of the plastic Fallschirmjäger sprues included.
