Box Contents

The Warlord Games US Airborne (D-Day) Platoon is a plastic kit containing:

• 30 US Airborne (D-Day) Infantry
• x5 sprues
• 50 Rifles/Carbines
• 20 SMGs
• 5 Bazookas
• 5 BARs
• 5 LMGs
• 5 Sniper Rifles
• 5 Pistols
• 5 M-227 Signal Lamps

The Currahhe! List

Breakdown

Notes and Analysis

The objective of this list is two-part: 1) use as many of the components from a single box of infantry as possible, and 2) make a list that works at a semi-competitive level. Please keep in mind, this list was written using only the content of a single box of infantry.

We are looking at a 6 Order Dice, 497pt army list that uses 25 of the 30 plastic airborne included in the box. We’ve have a solid AT asset with the Bazooka Team and enough Stubborn Vet Infantry to ensue your units are going to be able to absorb a lot of punishment. I also wanted to make full use of By Air, Land, and Sea (Airborne) whenever possible.

The list centers around two squad of seven Paratroopers, all armed with Rifles. If the mission allows, one of these squads should go into Outflank. With both Modern Communications and LZ Signals from the Pathfinders, that Outflank squad will be arriving on a re-rollable 10. I like those odds. The other squad can work with the Platoon Commander and Bazooka Team to press forward into range. Use the Sniper to target enemy HE as you cannot afford to take hits from templates. The Pathfinders should charge ahead. They need to get within SMG range and can deal significant damage when allowed to close the distance. You’ll need to play cagey against enemy vehicles but the Bazooka is more than enough firepower to delete anything you’ll see at the 500pt-level.

It may not seem like we have many tools in the toolbox with this list but keep in mind, every unit is Vet and every unit has Stubborn. Even your two-man Weapons Teams. Your units will not be fleeing the table. The enemy will have to destroy you down to the last man. It’s a thematic Army List that really feel like some surrounded, out-gunned airborne on some desperate breakout attack. And who isn’t interested in commanding that force?

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What’s Next?

Consider these additions to your 500pt 1 Box Army:

• Give the Platoon Commander some friends – Airborne Platoon Commanders can take up to seven additional men in the squad. And every single one of them can bring an SMG. The Platoon Commander is one of the most potent CQC units in the US Army List. I’m not saying go full 8-man SMG hit squad but four of five? Sold.
• Add HE – My one real issue with the new D-Day Airborne is the lack of a Light Mortar. Those little support weapons are king right now and it’s both an extremely efficient and iconic inclusion for an Airborne force. Either track one down or convert one using plastic bits from the 8th Army Briths, DAK, or Late-War British Warlord kits. Light Howitzers are also a great option if you want to bring in an Artillery Platoon.
• Vehicle Support – You can make a pure Infantry list work in Bolt Action. But it can be tricky, especially with how many Light Tanks we are seeing on the table these days. There is only one true Airborne vehicle option – US Airborne Armored Jeep. It’s a great “fast attack” option with Recce, small arms immunity to the front and a pintle HMG. A few of those would certainly help Pin enemy armor. Or you can go with the classic Armored Support and had in whatever tanks you’d like as part of a combined operation. Either way, you’ll probably want some kind of tank/jeep/transport to help out your paratroopers.

– Andrew

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