Box Contents

The US Airborne Starter Army is a mix of plastic and metal models containing:

• x6 US Airborne sprues (36 Infantry) – Plastic
• US Airborne HQ (Officer, Assistant, Medic, Forward Observer) – Metal
• US Airborne HMG Team – Metal
• US Airborne Medium Mortar Team – Metal
• US Airborne Medium AT Gun – Metal

The MMG 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 right here is one of those rare Starter Army Breakdowns that uses just about every single model in the box. If my calculations are correct, this 1000pt US Airborne Platoon uses all but two of the models, and that’s exactly what you want!

We should begin by clarifying that for this list we are using the US Paratrooper Squad (Late War) from Campaign: Battle of the Bulge for our infantry units. This unit is allowed in the Generic Reinforced Platoon and any Theater Selector that allowed US Paratroopers from Market Garden onward. We are using this flavor of Paratrooper Squad because it has the option for a BAR, double LMG, up to five SMGs (including the NCO) and they come with Stubborn. For me, it’s the most adaptable of the US Airborne Squad options.

That being said, we honestly don’t have many options. The Airborne sprue lacks any special weapons outside of small arms. There is no Bazooka, no Sniper, no Light Mortar. Just SMGs, a BAR and a LMG/MMG. Because we are limited on the Weapons Teams we have the ability to build, we are going all in with MMG Teams. That’s right let’s make use of the often overlooked MMG Team Extra Selection rule for US Platoons. This approach will not only add some additional Order Dice that we might not have otherwise (all Vet lists often suffer from low Order Dice counts) it also provides some serious suppressive fire.

With three MMG Teams, a Med. Mortar and a Light AT Gun, you will be able to properly support the advance of your 28 Vet US Airborne. Always, always remember that a US Rifleman on the Advance is one of the most potent weapons in all of Bolt Action. The Fire & Maneuver Army Special Rule is just stupid good. Get those four squads of Airborne moving and keep them moving. We’ve loaded up two squads with the max number of SMGs (five) for some serious up close and personal firepower and assault punch. And once you get on the Objectives, a Stubborn Vet is very difficult to shift.

Don’t forget, those three MMG Teams move like any other Infantry unit. They can still run at 12″. When the moment is right, push those MMG Teams forward. They are easy to hide, and can be used like little three-man Vet Squads to cover back-line objectives and for late-game heroics.

For additional support of your advance, we have a Medic and Forward Air Observer. The Medic can keep pace with the advancing Airborne and the Air Observer is here to try and boost our woeful anti-tank capabilities. That is one category this list needs help with, AT. The only dedicated AT asset that comes with the Starter Army is a single Medium AT Gun (mid even in the optimal conditions) so we will have to make full use of Air Superiority Army Special Rule to deal with any enemy heavy armor.

Now let’s chat about assembly. Each sprue of six Airborne contains one prone and one crouching model. These are perfect for the three MMG Teams. For each team you will need three crew. You will also need to two of the HMG Team bodies and use them for your MMG Teams (as we are not using the HMG in this army list). I prefer to have my Weapons Teams modeled on a single base, but it’s completely up to you! Nothing wrong with individual crew basing. Doing a single base with the MMG and gunner with two sperate crew is also a popular pick. You can use of the metal Airborne HQ models as your Forward Air Observer and you’ll need to build a Spotter for the Med. Mortar as well (the plastic Airborne will do nicely).

So there we have it! A full, if not slightly unconventional, take for the US Airborne Starter Army. We are limited to what’s included in the Starter Army but it think this will do just fine. I will say, this Airborne Starter Army is calling out for additional support and will very much benefit from a few extras.

– Andrew

What’s Next?

Thoughts and musings on where to go from here:

• Get a Light Howitzer – Swap that Light AT for a Light Howitzer as soon as possible. Not only is a Light Howitzer better, it’s also thematic. The classic Airborne 75mm Pack Howitzer is a great pick for Airborne themed army.
• Add some AT – Relying on a Air Observer to deal with enemy Tanks is not a great strategy. Pick up a Bazooka Team and/or a Flamethrower Team. Once you dive into various Airborne Theater Selectors you will have the option to add multiple Bazooka Teams, now we are talking.
• Get Campaign: Market Garden – The US Paratrooper Squad (Late War) from Campaign: Battle of the Bulge is a great unit. Campaign: Market Garden gives you even more great units and Theater Selectors. There are both Airborne and and Glider Troop options and some truly unique Theater Selectors. A worthy addition to any Airborne player.