Armies of Germany: Third Edition includes several Sample Armies that demonstrate different ways to create a Bolt Action army list. Our goal is to broaden this selection with additional Sample Armies that fully utilize the new Army Special Rules and unit options. This second Sample Army is a 1,250pt, 16 Order Dice double Rifle Platoon Early-War Gebirgsjäger force.

Rifle Platoon
Platoon Commander – Vet – 39 Commander SMG – 4 +4 Extra Men – Vet – 52 x4 SMGs – 16 Defend the Fatherland! (Gebirgsjäger – Feildcraft) – 5	116pts
Gebirgsjäger Squad (Early War) – Vet – 7 men – 98 LMG – 15 Pathfinders – Typo for Fieldcraft?	113pts
Gebirgsjäger Squad (Early War) – Vet – 7 men – 98 LMG – 15 Pathfinders – Typo for Fieldcraft?	113pts
Spähtruppen Squad – Vet – 4 men – 52 NCO SMG – 4 Infiltrators – 4 Defend the Fatherland! (Gebirgsjäger – Feildcraft) – 4	64pts
Sniper Team – Vet – 67 Infiltrator Defend the Fatherland! (Gebirgsjäger – Fieldcraft) – 2	69pts
Light Mortar – Vet – 39 Defend the Fatherland! (Gebirgsjäger – Fieldcraft) – 2	41pts
Rifle Platoon
Platoon Commander – Vet – 39 Commander SMG – 4 +4 Extra Men – Vet – 52 x4 SMGs – 16 Defend the Fatherland! (Gebirgsjäger – Feildcraft) – 5	116pts
Gebirgsjäger Squad (Early War) – Vet – 8 men – 112 NCO SMG – 4 SMG – 4 Pathfinders – Typo for Fieldcraft?	120pts
Gebirgsjäger Squad (Early War) – Vet – 8 men – 112 NCO SMG – 4 SMG – 4 Pathfinders – Typo for Fieldcraft?	120pts
Spähtruppen Squad – Vet – 4 men – 52 Infiltrators – 4 Defend the Fatherland! (Gebirgsjäger – Fieldcraft) – 4	60pts
Sniper Team – Vet – 67 Infiltrator Defend the Fatherland! (Gebirgsjäger – Fieldcraft) – 2	69pts
Artillery Platoon
Platoon Commander – Vet – 39 Defend the Fatherland! (Gebirgsjäger – Feildcraft) – 1	40pts
Light Howitzer – Vet – 65 Defend the Fatherland! (Gebirgsjäger – Fieldcraft, Mountain Gun) – 3	68pts
Light Howitzer – Vet – 65 Defend the Fatherland! (Gebirgsjäger – Feildcraft, Mountain Gun) – 3	68pts
Light Howitzer – Vet – 65 Defend the Fatherland! (Gebirgsjäger – Feildcraft, Mountain Gun) – 3	68pts
Total – 15 Order Dice	1,245pts

Armies of Germany: Third Edition has opened the floodgates. Army composition is wide open and I wanted to get an army list on paper that leverages the new German rules. The overall theme of this force can be summed up in one word – Fieldcraft.

All 16 of the units in the force at Vet. And even more importantly, every single unit has Fieldcraft. Yes, even the Light Howitzers. This force is fast. Even without a single vehicle, this force can move across the table at incredible speed because each and every unit treats rough ground as open ground. How did we achieve such madness? It’s all possible thanks to the new German Army Special Rule, Defend the Fatherland!

The Gebirgsjäger option for Defend the Fatherland! includes two requirements – units must be Veteran and must take Fieldcraft for +1pt per model. Additionally, Gebirgsjäger may take skis for free (rarely used outside of specific campaign missions) and any artillery unit may be upgraded to a Mountain Gun. This removes the Gun Shield from the artillery piece and the unit now treats difficult terrain as open ground in the same manner as infantry. And let’s not forget, this unit also has Fieldcraft so you can run a Light Howitzer into woods or ruins and secure a perfect defensive position.

We have made full use of these rules and given the Gebirgsjäger upgrade to every unit. Also, note there are four units of Infiltrators included as well. A Sniper Team and two four-man Spähtruppen Squads. I would have preferred to make the two scout squads bigger but in order to be given Infiltrators the squad cannot be expanded past four men. With a Sniper and two units of scouts you’ll have some serious board control before Turn 1 even begins. And if you need to pull any of these Infiltrators back, it’s not a problem. They also have Fieldcraft and can run straight through any rough ground.

The core of this force is four squads of Gebirgsjäger (Early War). Two with seven-man and an LMG and two with eight-man and two SMGs. I would have liked the option for double LMGs and more SMGs but we are sticking with an Early-War theme. Just like everything else in this force, these squads have Fieldcraft so you won’t be slowed by terrain. Use the LMG squads to support the advance of the SMG squads. Also on the advance are both Rifle Platoon Commanders. The Platoon Commanders of the two Rifle Platoons are fully kitted out with four additional men and five SMGs. These are your real assault squads. Soften up the enemy with your rifles, LMGs, and support weapons, and then crash in with either assaults or point-blank SMG fire.

In support of your squads and Platoon Commanders three Light Howitzers and a Light Mortar. The Light Mortar can either fire as it advances (remember, a Light Mortar is not Fixed) or it can try to range-in on any static targets. The Light Howitzers are the only real AT asset we have so you’ll have to be very careful with deployment. Luckily, as these are Mountain Guns, they can moved in and out of terrain just like Infantry. Oh, and of course, the Light Howitzers also have Fieldcraft. Ideally, the Light Howitzers would deploy in some dense terrain like woods or ruins to get a Cover Save (as they no longer have Gun Shields) and if you need to redeploy the guns, it’s no problem! Just roll them on outta there and set up for another round of firing.

This list takes full advantage of the Fieldcraft option given to Gebirgsjäger units. Although it lacks massive numbers of units, you can use swarm tactics and quick redeployment to concentrate your force and overwhelm your enemy. Now all we need is someone to make plastic Gebirgsjäger…

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More Armies of Germany: Third Edition coverage:

• Armies of Germany: Third Edition Review
• Chicago Dice Builds Warlord Games German Veteran Infantry
• Chicago Dice Sample Armies – Occupation of France
• Armies of Germany – Unit Analysis & Hot Takes