Warlord Community
Home No Phoney: Germany Strikes!
B — Bolt Action
No Phoney: Germany Strikes!
by Marcus Vine · October 17, 2023 · 4 minute read
Taking a look at the early-war in Europe theatre book for Bolt Action.
The release of the brand-new plastic French infantry is just around the corner, as well
as the new early-model Panzer IV (Ausf B/C/D), and we’ve been using the occasion to
take a look through the rules and miniatures that will allow us to best replicate the early
stages of the war through the medium of Bolt Action. As befits such an important phase
of the war, there are a couple of supplements covering the first German conquests in
Europe which can help you get the most out of your forces, and provide plenty of
inspiration for wargaming the period. We’ve already covered campaign supplement,
Battle of France (read that article here), so today, we’re looking at the theatre book,
Germany Strikes!
:
Street Blitzkrieg! Can nothing stop the inexorable march of Hitler’s Panzer Divisions.
Covering the early German conquests of Poland, Denmark, Norway, and the Low
Countries, as well as the key engagements of what would become known as the Battle
(and subsequent Fall) of France, the book is packed with scenarios allowing you to re-
fight the battles of the early war in Europe. Starting with the opening salvos of the
entire war, moving on to the legendary capture of the Belgian fortress of Eben Emael,
and ending with the Allied evacuation from Dunkirk, Germany Strikes! has everything
you need to get some great early-war gaming going. I’m particularly partial to the
Frankforce at Arras scenario, which pits British tanks against German Panzers in a
classic shoot-em-up – Matildas versus Panzer IIs, anyone?
Accompanying all of the missions is, of course, plenty of historical background that
allows you to really put your games into context – an important part of this kind of
wargaming – as well as a bunch of awesome artwork and scenic shots to provide
painting and modelling inspiration, perfect for planning out that next project (we all
know it’ll be some early-war goodness – it’s just a matter of which flavour!) or
convincing your buddies to join you for a game or two!
:
Naturally, for all of these missions, in all those countries, there need to be some new
units and rules, and Germany Strikes! is packed with them. Denmark gets an army list of
its very own, with plenty of conversion opportunities and some unique armoured cars,
while the Polish go postal… literally! One of the first actions of the war was an attack on
the Polish Post Office in Danzig, which the Poles had been expecting. The small
garrison fought heroically before being overwhelmed by Sturmabteilung thugs and
Ordnungspolizei officers, and naturally, both sides are represented with new units. The
Poles can also bring a frankly terrifying Armoured Train Platoon(!) to the fray – I’ve been
waiting to see someone take one of these bonkers lists to a tournament for a while now!
The French advance through town, looking for the enemy.
As one of our older supplements, Germany Strikes! has been providing solid service for
a while now, and is certainly worth revisiting, armed with the gorgeous new plastic
French infantry – the perfect chaps to play through the Fall of France sequence of
missions alongside the British!
It’s also one of my favourite books for the very simple reason that it deals with the very
:
beginning of the Second World War, which tends to be somewhat overlooked by
wargamers (it’s okay, it’s only natural to gravitate towards assault rifles and super-
heavy tanks – we’ve all been there!). I’ve been slowly working on a first-day-of-the-war
German force (only slightly interrupted by managing to get my hands on some new
French sprues a bit early – the perks of the job!) for just this kind of gaming – early-war,
infantry-heavy combat with minimal ‘heavy’ support. I think it can provide a fantastic
tactical challenge, and can also be surprisingly competitive in the tournament arena.
Remember, if you’re not early – you’re late!
:
As with all our Bolt Action books, order from the Warlord Webstore, and you’ll receive a free special edition
miniature. For Germany Strikes!, the special figure is Fighting Jack Churchill brandishing his trademark
Scottish broadsword, and a bow on his back!
View In Store
Prepare Your Forces
French Army
This Bolt Action starter army provides a solid core to your new French Army force. The
highly detailed multi-pose plastic infantry can be assembled and painted as regular
infantry, fortress troops, chasseurs a pied, engineers or colonial troops (Algerian,
Moroccan & Tunisian), giving you a colourful army with plenty of variety and flexibility
with which to face the German Blitzkrieg.
This Bolt Action Starter Army contains:
36 multi-pose plastic infantry
Plastic Char B1 bis medium tank
Metal HQ
Metal medium mortar team
Metal MMG team
Metal 25mm anti-tank gun
Plastic bases
Bolt Action stat card
Vehicle damage markers
Full-colour waterslide decal sheet
:
View in store
British Expeditionary Force
The British Expeditionary Corps was an army of nearly a third of a million troops which
Great Britain sent to France to try to resist inevitable German aggression. Allied with
:
Belgian and French forces, its ten infantry divisions were supported by artillery, tank
brigades and air squadrons. Despite fighting well they were outmanoeuvred all too
often, leading to tactical withdrawal and the heroic but tragic defeat at Dunkirk.
View In Store
:
View in Store
Blitzkrieg Germans
Superbly equipped and trained, the German soldier in the early years of World War II
was a formidable opponent. Utilising revolutionary mobile tactics, he rampaged across
mainland Europe sweeping all aside. The German army was only halted by the
combined might of the United States, Soviet Union and British Commonwealth.
:
The Blitzkrieg German starter army contains:
36x Plastic Blitzkrieg German Infantry
Plastic Sd.Kfz 251/1 ausf C halftrack
Early War German 81mm Mortar Team (Metal)
Early War German 7.5cm leIG 18 light artillery (Metal)
Panzer IV Ausf. D (Resin and Metal)
View in Store
Tags: Collecting Theatre Book
Marcus Vine
Marcus enjoys playing Bolt Action, buying models he swears he'll paint one day,
and hitting people with swords at the weekend. His proudest hobby moment was
when Rick Priestley told him he was rubbish at rolling dice.
:
1 COMMENT
Tim Crosen says:
October 17, 2023 at 4:30 pm
I would be a lot more inclined to buy that Blitzkrieg starter army if the new plastic Panzer IV was in
it Honestly that whole set could use redux, but at the very least the new plastic tank should
replace the resin one to make it more in line with the other boxes.
Comments are closed.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
B — Bolt Action
:
Introducing Armies of Germany: Third
Edition
by Marcus Vine · October 23, 2024
The first Armies Of... book for the new edition is coming!
B — Bolt Action
:
Show Us Your Tanks! Part Two – The
Allies
by Dan Hewitson · August 2, 2023
This time we're showing off the Warlord Games community's Allied armour.
B — Bolt Action
:
Weathering a Storm: Pete Gosling’s
British Tanks
by Marcus Vine · November 4, 2022
Pete's painting netted the prize in a recent Warlord Games staff painting competition.
B — Bolt Action
:
D-Day British & Canadian Sectors: A
Bolt Action Campaign Book
by Dan Hewitson · June 12, 2024
This book tells the story of the British and Canadian contribution to the monumental
Normandy campaign, and the stoic German resistance they faced.
B — Bolt Action
:
Things That Go Boom! Choosing the
Right Artillery in Bolt Action
by Marcus Vine · February 1, 2023
Marcus goes in-depth on the relative merits of all kinds of artillery in competitive Bolt
Action.
B — Bolt Action
:
Palau Islands Campaign: Battle for
Peleliu Airfield
by Dan Hewitson · September 14, 2021
US Marines assaulted the airfield over open ground with very little cover...
Enter your search topic Search
FEATURED POSTS
:
A Code of Honour: Vikings in Hail Caesar
April 26, 2023
:
Gauls, Gauls, Gauls!
May 3, 2022
:
Operation Critical Hit: Your War Stories (Week One)
August 23, 2023
CATEGORIES
Select Category
RECENT COMMENTS
Kevin Skonieczny on Introducing The Warlord Games App
Kevin Skonieczny on The Warlord Games App – Exclusive Offers
Mike on Vive L’Empereur! French Peninsular Veterans
Zeke on The March to Third Edition – Beth’s Late-War Luftwaffe
Graham Beattie on Twelve Days of Christmas: Reveals Roundup
:
© 2024 Warlord Games. All Rights Reserved. Warlord Games, Bolt Action, Pike & Shotte, Pike & Shotte Epic Battles, Hail Caesar, Cruel Seas, Black Powder,
Black Powder Epic Battles, Black Seas, Warlords of Erehwon, Blood Red Skies, SPQR, Beyond the Gates of Antares, Gates of Antares, Konflikt ’47, Nachtalben,
Nachtjäger, Panzermech, Paragon Trooper, Rift-tech, Schreckwulfen, Shibito, Siberian Terrors, and Totenkorps are either ® or ™, and/or © Warlord Games
Limited, variably registered around the world. Blood Red Skies © 2020 Andy Chambers. All Rights Reserved. 2000AD®;2000AD is a registered trade mark; ®
and © Rebellion A/S; All rights reserved. Judge Dredd™, STRONTIUM DOG™ Sláine™ Rebellion A/S, ©Rebellion A/S, All rights reserved.
:
