One of the most iconic WW2 units lands on the tabletop.
WW2 saw some of the most iconic units in modern military history.
Among the Allied forces, the 101st Airborne Division played a key role in the Normandy landings and the battles that followed.
Their actions have been widely portrayed in cinema. Members of the 101st Airborne appear in Saving Private Ryan (Pvt. Ryan was from the 101st) and in Band of Brothers, which follows the story of Easy Company, a part of the division. Later, video games picked up on this as well, featuring the 101st in Medal of Honor: Allied Assault, the Brothers in Arms series, and the first two Call of Duty games.
Thus, there is a high chance that when you hear the phrase “American paratrooper,” your mind immediately pictures someone from the 101st Airborne Division.
Recently, we received a commission to create a Bolt Action 101st Airborne Division army. This included not only putting the miniatures together but also planning the army, purchasing the models, assembling them, and painting them.
Now, it’s time to showcase the final result!
The 101st Airborne Division in (Bolt) Action
US Airborne Starter Set – The Ultimate Starting Point
We have started our army of infantry foundation, with some spice. The US Airborne Starter Set gives us 36 plastic miniatures, allowing us to field highly flexible infantry squads.
Armed with M1 Garand rifles, Thompson submachine guns, and BARs, these soldiers bring both firepower and tactical mobility.
Heavy Support – Mortar, 57mm Anti-Tank Gun and HMG/MMG Teams
The Airborne Starter Set does not contain only infantry. It also includes crucial support units such as:
- US Airborne 57mm anti-tank gun: A must-have against enemy armor, this lightweight yet powerful cannon was the backbone of American airborne anti-tank operations.
- US Airborne medium mortar team: With its indirect fire capabilities, this unit can suppress enemy positions and break defensive lines from a safe distance.
- US Airborne .50 Cal HMG team: the .50 caliber heavy machine gun delivers devastating firepower, capable of tearing through infantry and lightly armored vehicles.
While the US Airborne Starter Set provides a solid base of fire support, we have expanded our paratroopers with additional three .30 Cal MMG Teams.
Specialist Units - Bazooka Team and Sniper Team
As the name suggests, specialists focus on a particular role. We want a well-rounded core for our paratrooper army. So we needed to add troops that excel in specific areas: elite experts in infantry and armored combat.
- Bazooka Team – The M1 Bazooka is a must-have for any airborne force facing armored threats.
- Sniper Team – Precision is key in battlefield control, and the Sniper Team is perfect for eliminating high-value targets.
By adding these specialized units, our Bolt Action American Paratroopers become even more versatile, capable of handling any engagement, including armored confrontations.
Mobile Firepower - M3A1 Half-Track and M4 Sherman
A Bolt Action American paratroopers wouldn’t be complete without support vehicles. Those provide both mobility and firepower, necessary during the battle. The M3A1 Half-Track serves as a versatile transport, offering protection while allowing paratroopers to reposition.
Meanwhile, the M4 Sherman Medium Tank, adds additional cover and anti-vehicle abilities. Armed with 75mm shells and .50 caliber machine guns, it provides essential support for airborne troops. Thanks to that, our paratroopers can handle both infantry and armored threats on the battlefield pretty well.
Commission Your Own Bolt Action American Paratroopers
As you can see, planning a starter army for Bolt Action can be a slightly complex task. Not only do you need to cover all aspects of what might happen on the battlefield, but you also have to ensure that your army aligns with the game’s rules and mechanics.
This particular army was originally built for 2nd Edition. We are fully up to date with the latest 3rd Edition rules. Thus, we can assemble an army that is competitive and game-ready.
If you’re putting together a Bolt Action army, you want it to look and play good. That’s where we come in! We’ll help you pick the right units, build them up, and paint them in a style that ties everything together.
Want your own Bolt Action army? Drop us a message, and we’ll take care of everything.
You can find more about Bolt Action here.