Box Contents

The German Fallschirmjäger (Winter) Starter Army is a mix of plastic, resin and metal models containing:

• x6 German Fallschirmjäger (Winter) sprues (36 Infantry) – Plastic
• Fallschirmjäger (Winter) Officer – Resin
• Fallschirmjäger (Winter) NCO – Resin
• Fallschirmjäger (Winter) Medic – Resin
• Fallschirmjäger (Winter) Radio Operator – Resin
• Fallschirmjäger (Winter) Sniper Team – Resin
• Fallschirmjäger (Winter) Panzerschreck Team – Resin
• Fallschirmjäger (Winter) Pak 40 Anti-tank Gun – Resin crew with metal gun
• Fallschirmjäger (Winter) Medium Mortar Team – Resin crew with metal gun
• x2 Fallschirmjäger (Winter) MMG Teams – Resin crew with metal gun
• Sd.Kfz 222/223 Armored Car – Plastic
• StuG III/StuH 42 Assault Gun – Plastic

Shane put together an excellent army list for this Starter Army Box using the German Army List from the Bolt Action Rulebook. But with release of Armies of Germany: Third Edition, that Army List is no longer valid. It’s time to update with the new rules, options, points and unit profiles.

The Green Support List

Breakdown

(x) denotes a vehicle-mounted weapon.

Notes and Analysis

The objective of this list is two-part – 1) use as much of the Starter Army as possible and 2) make a List that works at a competitive level. Please keep in mind, this List was written using only the contents of the Starter Army.

This army list is a 12 Order Dice, 3 Platoon, 1,250pt, Fallschirmjäger force that makes liberal use of the Defend the Fatherland! (Fallschirmjäger) option. Every unit that can be upgraded to Fallschirmjäger has been. The four Infantry Squads are already Fallschirmjäger and all the Platoon Commanders and Weapons Teams have been given Stubborn for +1pt per model. We are also using almost every model in the box. Only the Medium Mortar and the Pak 40 AT Gun are left out. This list may only be 12 OD, but make no mistake, this is an elite army list that can throw a punch and will not break easily.

The core of this army list is the four Fallschirmjäger squads. Two of Late-War Vets and one of Green Inexp. troops. The two squads of Late-War Vets are armed to the teeth with Assault Rifles and when backed by the Vet Platoon Commander and their three-man SMG Vet body guard this a potent assault force. Expensive, but deadly. The other two FJ Squads each have two LMGs and are meant to hold the back-line and provide 36″ 10-shot fire support. Although Inexp. (so a -1 To Hit) if you can get them deployed in cover these cheap units can provide enough firepower to reliably Pin enemy targets. Plus there is the chance for them to get upgraded to Regs! As this is a Late-War themed force, it felt appropriate to include a couple units of hastily trained and equipped FJ to pad out the core of hardened Veterans.

The Heavy Weapons Platoon packs serious small arms fire with two Vet MMG Teams. Not only are both MMGs Vet, they are also Stubborn. Both these units will be able to keep the fire on the enemy without issue after taking a casualty. You’ll need to watch for enemy indirect fire as MMGs are prime targets for Mortars but that is where the Sniper Team comes in. That Sniper needs to target enemy Forward Observers and Spotters right away.

For AT we are rocking a Vet Panzerschreck Team (also Stubborn) and a fearsome Vet StuG III. Now, I wouldn’t normally bring a StuG as Vet but now? With Panzer Ace on the table? Let’s make it happen! With Panzer Ace this little Tank Destroyer really feels like can go toe-to-toe against any Allied armor. As the main gun is casement-mounted you’ll need to deploy well. You want to Fire or Ambush, not Advance. When using Fire or Ambush against an enemy vehicle you are getting:

• +1 to Hit (Anti-Tank Gun)
• +1 to Pen (Panzer Ace) for a total of +7 Pen
• +1 to the Damage Chart Roll (scores a Knocked Out on 3+)

Deadly. Absurdly deadly. Sure it’s a 263pt Armor 9 tank but you have enough firepower to bring down Armor 10 with ease.

The little 223 can scoot around and do two things – first keep the StuG moving and second rip seven MMG shots up at any enemy planes. The 223 is our dedicated Flak unit and needs to protect the StuG from a pesky airstrike.

Overall I imagine the MMG Teams, Green FJ, and Heavy Weapons Platoon Commander supporting one another in the backfield with the Rifle Platoon Commander and both Vet FJ squads pushing up the table towards any objectives with the Panzerschreck Team as mobile AT. The Sniper goes for any enemy indirect fire and Forward Observers while the StuG gets hull-down in Ambush with the 223 in support.

Armies of Germany: Third Edition has opened up the list building options and we can pack a ton of theme into this list. I fully expect the future Armies of books to do the same.

What’s Next?

Thoughts and musings on where to go from here:

• Add HE – This list has plenty of AT and small arms fire but lacks HE. Especially indirect HE. Adding in a Light Howitzer and/or a Light Mortar or two would be a great addition. Dropping indirect HE is one the better ways to shift an enemy unit off an objective. Remember, Indirect HE ignores Cover Saves!
• Drop the MMGs – You could add in additional infantry and maybe even a whole new squad by removing the MMG Teams. MMGs are not for everyone, being a Fixed and static unit, so have no fear of swapping them out for something more mobile.
• Add some Speed – If you plan to play a more aggressive assault-heavy list, you need to add some speed. It’s tough to get into assault range when you have to walk across the table. A single Truck with an MMG can carry a squad of SMG-heavy FJ directly into the fight. Making use of Outflank could swing the tide of battle.

– Andrew

Return to the Starter Army Box Breakdowns.