Post by madmorgan on Mar 7, 2016 13:26:45 GMT
During the summer of 1915, both the USA and BEF (as well as other nations) begin developing and using airborne style units for operations well behind the Martians front lines. These were often raids against small gatherings of machines (location provided by observer airplanes) and resupply of isolated resistence units (Lawrence of Arizona and Big Peco & Pacho Villias). Sometimes these turned out to be rescue missions as well. The vessal need a large open area to hold units of men and equipment for rains, supplies, or to take on fleeing forces. The new units were Courageous infantry, specially trained and equipped with new helmets (the 'tin hat' caught too easily in updrafts) and weapons, giving them a unique appearance to the usual dog soldier.
Here's the typical raid ship layout:
Dropship(Raid) 1:1 scale @200pts Spd 8" Def 4 Arm 2 Special: Transport up to 50 men each
(2) HMG + gunners @30 Rng 20" +1 Pow RF 3 Spec: 3 crew each, ship mg
(2) LMG + gunners @30 Rng 20" +1 Pow RF 2 Spec: 2 crew each, ship mg
Airborne HQ Team: Officer, NCO, Radio Operator, 2 Runner [Courageous] - 1 Unit @35pts* *for +10pts may be given Forward Observer status (see FO rules).
Airborne Platoon: (3) Squads ec @30pts - ec Officer, NCO, Bazooka or Light Mortar team (2 crew), 6 Rifles [Courageous]= 3 Units @90pts
Airborne HMG Squad: (3) HMG + 9 crew + 1 Officer or NCO [Courageous] (10 men, 3 elements) = 1 Unit @40pts
Total Men 165pts 5 Units = BP3
Total Dropship unit = 365pts in 6 Units = BP3
SPECIAL RULES: a dropship can lift up 20" per turn giving it two turns to outrange a normal heavy heatray (they'll get at least 1 shot before you're safe).
For the dropship, I use Old Glorys GG-001, 25mm Rowboat. I take a plastic Easter egg, cut a length of pool noodle slightly longer than the ship and create a ballon for the rowboat to hang from by putting the Easter egg halves on each end with glue. Some strong wire or even paddles from the model secures the ballon above the rowboat base. For the rowboat, I leave off the rudder handle, put the oar locks along the side and fore/aft (either ones, but I like the metal ones better) for MG mounts (using AD or other MGs). The GG-001 Rowboat is only $16 each (or $9.60 if Old Glory Army discount)! A 'full' company will only cost $48/$28.80 for the ships. I plan on using either Old Glory USA or Brit. Command Decision miniatures for these units. I particularly like the dug-in units they have as they would represent ambush units on the ground already in place. The whole reason for having these models is for the chance that the Martians will catch a landing before its debarked - creating a nasty scenario with Airborne troops defending their ship from the ground as it desperately attempts to get out of range of the heatrays. Note that with FOs you could have a landing close to off-board riverine or naval artillery; even ground forces. Perhaps the airborne are sent ahead to secure a crossing for pontoon bridges or slow up a Martian scouting element? A rescue operation for civilian and resistence resupply are both good basis for having the ships close to ground. Be careful as Airborne player, there are other Martian weapons that can reach you before you lift high enough to be clear. Grenadiers come to mind as well as sunrays and of coarse the (if you use them) new AA tripods.
Optional Units: if you don't mind pushing the limits a bit on the ships, you could have the following additional units on board for debarking.
75mm Pack Howitzer Battery @80pts: (3) + 9 crew, 1 officer/NCO (binoculars) Rng 60" +2 Pow Bar 1 Spec: Airborne, Courageous.
Medium Mortar Battery: (3) MMTR + 9, 1 officer/nco (") crew Rng 30" +1 Pow Bar 1 Spec: 3 crew, smoke & illum shells. Airborne, Courageous
HMG Squad @40pts: (3) HMG + 9 crew Rng 20" +1 Pow RF 3 Spec: Airborne, Courageous.
M2MG Squad@50pts : (3) M2MG (50cal) + 9 crew Rng 20" +2 Pow RF 3 Spec: 3 crew, 2 crew = RF2, 1 crew = RF1, Airborne, Courageous.
LMG Squad @40pts : (3) LMG + 6 crew Rng 20" +1 Pow RF 2 Spec: Airborne, Courageous.
Medic Squad @45pts : (3 Elements) ec 5 medics, some with 2man stretcher teams @15ec Spec: Airborne, Courgaeous, Ambulance Rule (15 men total).
I'm using Old Glory Command Decision figures for these - the Paratrooper line as well as the infantry in foxholes. Same for the Brits.
Here's the typical raid ship layout:
Dropship(Raid) 1:1 scale @200pts Spd 8" Def 4 Arm 2 Special: Transport up to 50 men each
(2) HMG + gunners @30 Rng 20" +1 Pow RF 3 Spec: 3 crew each, ship mg
(2) LMG + gunners @30 Rng 20" +1 Pow RF 2 Spec: 2 crew each, ship mg
Airborne HQ Team: Officer, NCO, Radio Operator, 2 Runner [Courageous] - 1 Unit @35pts* *for +10pts may be given Forward Observer status (see FO rules).
Airborne Platoon: (3) Squads ec @30pts - ec Officer, NCO, Bazooka or Light Mortar team (2 crew), 6 Rifles [Courageous]= 3 Units @90pts
Airborne HMG Squad: (3) HMG + 9 crew + 1 Officer or NCO [Courageous] (10 men, 3 elements) = 1 Unit @40pts
Total Men 165pts 5 Units = BP3
Total Dropship unit = 365pts in 6 Units = BP3
SPECIAL RULES: a dropship can lift up 20" per turn giving it two turns to outrange a normal heavy heatray (they'll get at least 1 shot before you're safe).
For the dropship, I use Old Glorys GG-001, 25mm Rowboat. I take a plastic Easter egg, cut a length of pool noodle slightly longer than the ship and create a ballon for the rowboat to hang from by putting the Easter egg halves on each end with glue. Some strong wire or even paddles from the model secures the ballon above the rowboat base. For the rowboat, I leave off the rudder handle, put the oar locks along the side and fore/aft (either ones, but I like the metal ones better) for MG mounts (using AD or other MGs). The GG-001 Rowboat is only $16 each (or $9.60 if Old Glory Army discount)! A 'full' company will only cost $48/$28.80 for the ships. I plan on using either Old Glory USA or Brit. Command Decision miniatures for these units. I particularly like the dug-in units they have as they would represent ambush units on the ground already in place. The whole reason for having these models is for the chance that the Martians will catch a landing before its debarked - creating a nasty scenario with Airborne troops defending their ship from the ground as it desperately attempts to get out of range of the heatrays. Note that with FOs you could have a landing close to off-board riverine or naval artillery; even ground forces. Perhaps the airborne are sent ahead to secure a crossing for pontoon bridges or slow up a Martian scouting element? A rescue operation for civilian and resistence resupply are both good basis for having the ships close to ground. Be careful as Airborne player, there are other Martian weapons that can reach you before you lift high enough to be clear. Grenadiers come to mind as well as sunrays and of coarse the (if you use them) new AA tripods.
Optional Units: if you don't mind pushing the limits a bit on the ships, you could have the following additional units on board for debarking.
75mm Pack Howitzer Battery @80pts: (3) + 9 crew, 1 officer/NCO (binoculars) Rng 60" +2 Pow Bar 1 Spec: Airborne, Courageous.
Medium Mortar Battery: (3) MMTR + 9, 1 officer/nco (") crew Rng 30" +1 Pow Bar 1 Spec: 3 crew, smoke & illum shells. Airborne, Courageous
HMG Squad @40pts: (3) HMG + 9 crew Rng 20" +1 Pow RF 3 Spec: Airborne, Courageous.
M2MG Squad@50pts : (3) M2MG (50cal) + 9 crew Rng 20" +2 Pow RF 3 Spec: 3 crew, 2 crew = RF2, 1 crew = RF1, Airborne, Courageous.
LMG Squad @40pts : (3) LMG + 6 crew Rng 20" +1 Pow RF 2 Spec: Airborne, Courageous.
Medic Squad @45pts : (3 Elements) ec 5 medics, some with 2man stretcher teams @15ec Spec: Airborne, Courgaeous, Ambulance Rule (15 men total).
I'm using Old Glory Command Decision figures for these - the Paratrooper line as well as the infantry in foxholes. Same for the Brits.
