1
“Our formation is young. We have not yet any traditions. We must create tradition by our action in the future.
It depends upon us whether or not the sign of the Diving Eagle—the badge which unites us—will go down in history
as a symbol of military honour and valour.”
—Hauptmann Friedrich August Freiherr Von der Heydte, April 1941
CONTENTS
German Airborne – The Fallschirmjäger . . . 2
Fallschirmjäger at War 1942-43 . . . . . . . . . . 4
Ramcke Brigade in the Desert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Tunisa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Sicily and Italy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Battle of Leros . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Fallschirmjäger on the Eastern Front . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
XI Fliegerkorps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Fallschirmjäger Regiment 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
German Fallschirmjäger Special Rules . . . . . . . . . . 12
Fallschirmjäger Force . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Fallschirmjäger Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Fallschirmjäger Company HQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Fallschirmjäger 7.5cm recoilless gun . . . . . . . . . . 15
Fallschirmjäger Platoon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Fallschirmjäger sMG42 Machine-gun Platoon . . . 16
Fallschirmjäger 8cm Mortar Platoon . . . . . . . . . . 16
Support Units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Fallschirmjäger
Marder II (7.5cm) Tank-hunter Platoon . . . . . . . . 17
Fallschirmjäger Pioneer Platoon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Fallschirmjäger 3.7cm Tank-hunter Platoon . . . . . 18
Fallschirmjäger 5cm Tank-hunter Platoon . . . . . . . 18
Fallschirmjäger 7.5cm Tank-hunter Platoon . . . . . 19
Fallschirmjäger 7.5cm Artillery Battery . . . . . . . . . 19
Fallschirmjäger 10.5cm Recoilless Battery . . . . . . . 20
Fallschirmjäger Observation Post . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Fallschirmjäger 2cm Anti-aircraft Platoon . . . . . . . 21
JU 87 Stuka Dive Bomber Flight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Fallschirmjäger Basing Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
185a Divisione Paracadutisti Folgore . . . . . 23
Avanti Force . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Italian Special Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Parachutist Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Parachutist Company HQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Parachutist Platoon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Parachutist Breda MG Platoon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Parachutist 81mm Mortar Platoon . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Parachutist 47mm Anti-tank Platoon . . . . . . . . . 30
Support Units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Parachutist Assault Engineer Platoon . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Parachutist Basing Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
2
Swooping from the sky like the diving eagle emblazoned
upon their badge, the Fallschirmjäger (paratroops,
pronounced fal-shirrm-yai-gerr) heralded the arrival of a
revolutionary new arm in warfare—the airborne soldier.
Destined to blaze a path of glory across every theatre of
the conflict, the Fallschirmjäger wrote their legends large
in the annals of the Second World War.
The Fallschirmjäger are Germany’s elite volunteer paratroops
and amongst the finest troops in the German armed forces.
Highly motivated, disciplined, well-trained, equipped and
led, the Fallschirmjäger truly are an elite force. They are put
through rigorous selection process and training before they
gain their parachute wings. The elite Fallschirmjäger are more
than capable of stopping the best the Allied armies can throw
at them, whether fighting in the deserts of North Africa, in
the Greek Islands, across the mountains of Sicily and Italy
or the swamps and forests of the wintery Eastern Front.
Once dug-in, they are virtually unbreakable, even under
horrendous artillery and air attack.
German Fallschirmjäger platoons are larger than standard
German army rifle platoons, with the intention being that a
unit this size would be able to absorb the casualties expected
from an opposed parachute assault. This was proven during
the fighting on Crete where they sustained heavy losses, but
still were victorious.
Fallschirmjäger platoons were also better equipped with more
automatic weapons than their opponents, with each squad
having two MG42 machine-guns. These weapons, combined
with their aggressive tactics and esprit de corps made them
incredibly tough opponents, excelling in completing even
the toughest of assignments.
Each Fallschirmjäger company comes with its own mortars,
heavy machine-guns, and light recoilless guns for fire support.
They may also call on their regimental support and the
support of their corps. These include 3.7cm, 5cm, and 7.5cm
anti-tank guns, paratroop artillery, 2cm anti-aircraft guns,
and pioneer infantry, even their own self-propelled guns.
Of course when fighting alongside the army and the
Waffen-SS they can also call on tanks, assault guns, tank-
hunters, heavy tanks, heavy tank-hunters, anti-tank guns,
infantry, reconnaissance, artillery, anti-aircraft and of course
Luftwaffe aircraft.
The Fallschirmjäger are tough, tenacious and independent
fighters. Though no longer making air assaults, they are
Germany’s finest light infantry, quite capable of holding
their position in the most dire situations.
 Formation Formed Service
7. Fliegerdivision July 1938 Poland, Denmark, Norway, Belgium, Holland,
(later 1. & 2. Fallschirmjägerdivisionen) Greece, Crete, and Russia
Fallschirmbrigade Ramcke July 1942 Western Desert and Tunisia
1. Fallschirmjägerdivision May 1943 Sicily and Italy
2. Fallschirmjägerdivision February 1943 Rome, Ukraine, Normandy, Brest, and Ruhr
3. Fallschirmjägerdivision October 1943 Normandy, Ardennes, and Ruhr
4. Fallschirmjägerdivision November 1943 Italy
5. Fallschirmjägerdivision February 1944 Normandy, Ardennes, and Ruhr
6. Fallschirmjägerdivision June 1944 Holland
7. Fallschirmjägerdivision September 1944 Holland and Saxony
8. Fallschirmjägerdivision April 1945 Germany
9. Fallschirmjägerdivision April 1945 Prussia
10. Fallschirmjägerdivision April 1945 Austria and Sudetenland

ORIGINS OF THE GERMAN PARATROOPS
Inspired by Hermann Göring's observations of Soviet par-
achute infantry manoeuvres in the 1930s, the first unit was
formed as a volunteer police unit in 1933. The unit was trans-
ferred to the Luftwaffe (Air Force), commanded by Göring,
in 1935 to become Germany's first dedicated airborne regi-
ment. From this cadre of volunteers more Fallschirmtruppe
(parachute troops) were trained.
At the outbreak of the war in 1939 the Luftwaffe had built
up a division-sized unit of three Fallschirmjäger regiments
with supporting arms and aircraft. This division became
known as 7. Fliegerdivision and was commanded by General
Kurt Student.
OPERATION FALL GELB
On 9 April 1940 the skies over Norway and Denmark saw the
blooming of the Fallschirmjäger RZ1 parachutes for the first
time in battle. Four companies of 7. Fliegerdivision dropped
and seized airfields from the surprised defenders.
The fearsome new force struck from the skies again during the
German invasion of the Low Countries on 10 May 1940. In a
daring operation, a small glider-borne force of Fallschirmjäger
under the command of Hauptmann (Captain) Walter Koch
captured the ‘impregnable’ Belgian fortress of Eben Emael.
Simultaneously, a mass parachute drop was made to vault the
defences of ‘Fortress Holland’. The Fallschirmjäger seized key
bridges and airfields and even struck, unsuccessfully, at the
Dutch High Command in The Hague.
The men of Koch’s glider assault group were decorated by
Hitler himself in recognition of the vital role they had played
in the conquest of the Low Countries. Student’s triumphant
7.  Flieger­division was expanded in preparation for spearheading
Operation Sealion, the planned invasion of Great Britain.
CORINTH CANAL
When Sealion was cancelled, 7.  Fliegerd­ivision was redeployed
to the Mediterranean. The intervention of German troops in
Greece had sent the Allied forces there reeling. In an audacious
manoeuvre, Fallschirmjäger were dropped to cut off the Allied
retreat. They seized the bridge across the Corinth Canal on
27 April 1941, only to have it blow up in their faces.
Despite this setback the three battalions of 7. Fliegerdivision
involved succeeded in capturing 12,000 Allied prisoners.
OPERATION MERKUR
As audacious as the Corinth Canal operation had been, it
was soon to be eclipsed by the most spectacular airborne
operation the world had yet seen. Operation Merkur, the
invasion of Crete, was launched on 20 May 1941. The entire
7. Fliegerdivision dropped on the British, Australian and New
Zealand defenders of the island.
A bloody, week-long battle followed. Whilst ultimately
triumphant, the Fallschirmjäger force had been ravaged in the
bitter struggle. They lost over 7000 men, approximately one-
third of their starting strength. Student’s division had lost
many of its most experienced commanders. Hitler considered
the cost of victory too high. Crete marked the end of large-
scale airborne operations for the Fallschirmjäger. The tattered
remnants of 7. Fliegerdivision withdrew to France to re-group
and refit. However, it was not the end of their service.
TO THE EAST
7. Fliegerdivision was redeployed to Russia. Instead of being
thrown into the meat grinder of the Eastern Front, they
were used as elite infantry for limited operations where their
independence, skills, and fighting spirit could be used to the
best advantage.
Some of 7. Fliegerdivision was deployed to the Leningrad front
near Neva from September to December 1941. By December
they had taken over 3000 casualties, a testament to the heavy
fighting and harsh weather endured by the Fallschirmjäger.
Fighting took place around the Soviet beachhead at
Petruschino, where the Soviets had taken advantage of the
marshy woodlands that dominated the terrain between
Petruschino and the Neva River to established strong defensive
positions re-enforced by bunkers and entrenched positions.
Like their comrades near Leningrad, the Fallschirmjager
deployed to the Moscow front also saw intense fighting.
7. Fliegerdivision was withdrawn from the Eastern Front in
January 1942, but after training, reorganisation, and rest in
France it soon returned to battle as 1. Fallschirmjägerdivision
and 2. Fallschirmjägerdivision.

3
 RAMCKE BRIGADE IN THE DESERT
Before the success of Operation Mercury in securing Crete in
1941, preparations had begun to take the British controlled
island of Malta in the Mediterranean. The island acted as a
supply port for the Royal Navy and a base of operations for
the RAF, putting them in striking distance of North Africa
and Italy. Initially, Italian and German parachute and air
transported infantry were to take the island’s airfield before
a force of Italian sea borne troops would land and secure the
rest of the island and subdue the defenders.
After the high casualties suffered by the Fallschirmjäger
during Crete, and fuel supply problems for the Italian
Navy, the assault on Malta was cancelled and a number of
Fallschirmjäger units became available for other operations.
In the early summer 1942 General Student, command-
er of Luftwaffe Fallschirmjäger forces, was asked to form
a Fallschirm-brigade to be sent to Africa. He appointed
Bernhard Herman Ramcke commander of the new brigade.
Ramcke (then an Oberst or Colonal) had commanded
Fallschirmjäger in Crete the previous year and took command
of western operations when the commander of the Sturm
Regiment, Oberst Meindl, was wounded. He dropped with the
first wave of reinforcements on 21 May 1941 and took com-
mand of Meindl’s Kampfgruppe, overseeing the breakthrough
of the New Zealand lines and linking up with German forces
at Galatas.
After his promotion to Generalmajor in August 1941, he
briefly served with the Italian parachute forces in preparation
for Operation Herkules (the invasion of Malta) before it was
cancelled and he was recalled to Berlin.
The new Fallschirm-brigade consisted of four battalions
taken from different Fallschirmjäger regiments, an artillery
battalion, a signals company, a pioneer company, and an
anti-tank company.
The brigade arrived in Africa in July 1942 and took part in
Rommel’s drive towards the Suez Canal, Britain’s important
supply line to India. The British defence finally solidified
at El Alamein and the Axis offensive ground to a halt. The
Ramcke Brigade became part of the German and Italian
defensive line.
Western Front Eastern Front Mediterranean Theatre Pacific Theatre
1939
1 September 6 October 9 April - 10 June
Germany Poland Germany invades
invades Poland Surrenders Denmark and Norway,
Fallschirmjäger lead
3 September the way
France and Britain
declare war on Germany 13 March
Winter War ends.
17 September Finland cedes territory
Soviet Union
invades Poland 30 November
Winter War begins.
Soviet Union invades Finland,
but is stopped cold
4
The brigade was spread between Italian 10th and 20th Corps,
with battalions Hübner and Burkhardt positioned with the
Italian Bresscia Division and the remainder of the brigade
further north with the Italian Bologna Division. To the right
of Hübner’s battalion were the fellow paratroopers of the
Italian Folgore Division.
The British opened their counter offensive, Operation
Lightfoot, on 23 October. The British planned to send their
main thrust through the defensive sectors in the south, but
an important diversionary thrust was to attack in the north.
The British XIII Corps’ plan was to break through the main
defensive line in the north and force the commitment of
the Axis reserves there (Ariete Armoured Division and
21. Panzerdivision), stopping them from involvement in the
fighting in the south.
Though outnumbered by the British thrust, the Italian and
German troops held off the breakthrough. However, the
threat from the British did stop the armoured divisions being
sent north. Meanwhile, the British broke through in the
north and troops to the south were under threat of being
surrounded, the Ramcke Brigade among them, and the order
was given to retreat.
Unfortunately, like many of their Italian comrades, the
Fallschirmjäger had no motorised transport of their own and
were forced to retreat on foot, under the risk of being left
stranded in the desert while the divisions of the Afrika Korps
raced into the distance. Their march began on 3 November,
Battalion Burkhardt was employed as a rearguard, keeping
pursuing British armoured cars at a distance until their anti-
tank gun ran out of ammunition. This allowed the rest of the
brigade to escape by continuing west across the desert.
On the night 4/5 November the brigade came across a British
supply column of trucks parked up and were able to take
the column without firing a shot. They then continued their
journey west with enough supplies, fuel and transport to
complete it. The brigade arrived at Fuka on the morning of
7 November where Ramcke reported to a surprised Rommel.
The Ramcke Brigade had successfully made a 200 mile trip
across the desert. The bulk of the brigade then returned to
Europe, leaving just 600 men organised under the command
of Major von der Heydt.
1 9 4 0
10 May 9 December
Germany invades the Operation Compass: British
Nether­lands, Belgium and France push Italians back into Libya
Fallschirmjäger take Belgian
fortress of Eben Emael 13 September
Fallschirmjäger seized key bridges Italy invades Egypt
and airfields in the Netherlands
10 July - 31 October
27 May - 5 June The Battle of Britain
British and French evacuate
over 300,000 troops at Dunkirk 22 June
France surrenders
28 May
Belgium surrenders
 90th Light
AFRICA DIVISION

15th PANZER
DIVISION

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DIVISION
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DIVISION 9th AUSTRALIAN
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164 LIGHT
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1 9 4 1
7 February 6 - 30 April 20 May - 1 June 19 November - 2 December
Operation Compass ends Axis invasion of Operation Merkur, 30 December German troops come
with the destruction of the Yugoslavia and Greece invasion of Crete Operation Crusader: within sight of the
Italian Army at Beda Fomm Germans take island British push Axis back Kremlin in Moscow
27 April in daring but costly in to Libya.
12 February Fallschirmjäger seized airborne assault 5 December
Rommel arrives the bridge across the 8 September German offensive halted
in Libya Corinth Canal Siege of Leningrad begins Soviet counter-offensive
7. Fliegerdivision deployed begins
22 January 30 April - 1 May to Leningrad front
Australians Rommel assaults Tobruk 7 December
take Tobruk 22 June Japanese bomb US fleet
4 March Operation Barbarossa: in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
British and Commonwealth forces German invasion of
diverted to Greece Soviet Union begins

5
 The remaining 600 Fallschirmjäger of von der Heydte’s
battalion continued to fight under the command of
90. Leichte Afrika-Division, fighting as a rearguard as the
division withdrew north into Tunisia. Ramcke returned to
Germany and on 13 November became the 145th recip-
ient of the Oak Leaves to the Knights Cross (which he
had been awarded after Crete) and was promoted to
Generalleutnant.
On 18 November, von der Heydte’s battalion ran into the
Fallschirmjager’s old foe’s from Crete, the New Zealanders,
where a sharp engagement was fought at El Nofila. Von
der Heydte recieved the Italian Bravery Medal in Silver for
his actions at El Nofila. The battalion continued to fight
in southern and central Tunisia against the veterans of
Eighth Army until the Axis forces surrendered in May.
TUNISIA
While the British Eighth Army continued to push the
remnants of Panzerarmee Afrika into Tunisia, the Allies
launched Operation Torch, the invasion of Algeria
and Morocco.
The German High Command reacted swiftly. Small for-
mations of Fallschirmjäger were scrambled across the
Mediterranean to hold vital Tunisian ports and airfields.
Two battalions under the command of Major Walter Koch,
the hero of Eben Emael, and a Fallschirmpionierbataillon
commanded by Major Rudolf Witzig, threw back the
spearhead of the Allied attack in mid-November.
In an effort to stall the next Allied offensive, an airborne
assault against key airfields and bridges behind Allied
lines in Algeria was planned for December. A company
of Major Witzig’s elite Fallschirmpionier­ bataillon was
assigned to the mission. However, rain and bad weather
made piloting difficult. Many of the Fallschirmjäger pio-
neers had to struggle back to their own lines after a long
march in enemy territory. A number of Fallschirmjäger
were captured and tried by the British and shot for espi-
onage. After this Field Marshal Kesselring forbade any
further air drops in Tunisia.
Despite these losses, the battle-weary Fallschirmjäger
continued to fight on until the surrender of Axis forces in
Tunisia on the 12 May 1943.

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1 9 4 2
January 4 February 26 May 1 - 26 July October
7. Fliegerdivision German advance The Battle of First Battle of El Alamein 7. Flieger Division
withdrawn from halted at Gazala Gazala begins German attacks defeated takes positions at Smolensk
Eastern Front
30 August - 5 September 23 October
21 January 20-21 June Battle of Alam El Halfa Second Battle of
Operation Theseus: Germans Germans assault Tobruk, El Alamein begins
advance from El Agheila Garrison surrenders
24 October
29 January July British 7 Armoured Division
th

Axis forces recapture Benghazi Fallschirm-brigade Ramcke attack hits Ramcke Brigade
arrives in North Africa

6
 SINA
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SICILY AND ITALY DIV
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NapoION
On 9 July 1943 the Allies launched DIVIS
Operation Husky, the invasion of Sicily, to
establish a foothold in Southern Europe. The
German High Command reacted promptly to reinforce ENTH
SEVR Y
the Italian defenders. A Fallschirmjäger regiment and A M
machine-gun battalion were deployed by glider and trans- TH
port aircraft to the area around Syracuse and Catania. A EIGHMY
AR
further regiment followed on 14 July, jumping under fire
BATTLE OF LEROS
onto the airfield at Catania to aid in the defence against
During the Dodecanese campaign of 1943, when the
attacking British paratroopers.
Germans went about taking control of the Italian and
The machine-gun battalion was then given the task of Allied held Greek Islands in the Aegean Sea, a number of
defending the vital Primasole Bridge across the Simento parachute operations were conducted. During the Battle
River. On 14 July, 200 British paratroopers made a sur- of Leros, II. Bataillon/Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 2 played
prise airborne assault. At first the Fallschirmjäger mistook a key role in the successful capture of the Island by
the attackers for reinforcements. In the confusion the German forces.
British captured the bridge and held it for several hours
The Italian garrison in Leros was strengthened by British
before the Fallschirmjäger were able to wrest it back. Four
forces on 15 September 1943. The battle began with
days of fierce fighting ensued before the bridge finally fell
German air attacks on 26 September and continued with
into British hands.
the seaborne landings on 12 November. The German
On 25 July, Mussolini’s resignation saw many Italian objective was to divide Leros’s defenders by capturing the
units lay down their arms and the Germans were forced narrow isthmus in the centre of the island. The sea land-
to withdraw from Sicily. It was the brave Fallschirmjäger ing force established two footholds on the island.
who provided the rearguard to cover the evacuation.
The British believed there was no suitable place on the
The Allies invaded the Italian mainland on 3 September island for landing paratroops. It was a dramatic shock
1943. After failing to stop the Allied landings, the German when at 1500 hours, on 12 November, Fallschirmjäger
defenders fell back to the Gustav Line, a series of prepared dropped on the isthmus and seized the northern part of
defensive positions across Central Italy. In December, the ridge. During the following three days, the Allies, with
1.  Fallschirmjäger­division defended Ortona against the inadequate air support, failed to repulse the Germans and
1st Canadian Division in fierce house-to-house fighting, on 16 November, Leros surrendered.
before being finally relieved at years-end. But the respite
would be brief as the Fallschirmjäger were destined to
write yet another chapter in their glorious history.

1 9 4 2
1 November 5 November 8 November November-December
British break through Axis forces retreat from Egypt Operation Torch: Allies land 7. Flieger Division
Axis defences Ramcke Brigade in Morocco and Algeria defends Rzhev Pocket
captures British trucks
3 November 25 November December
Ramcke Brigade retreats 6 November 3rd Battalion, Fallschirmjäger Small scale air assaults in
from El Alamein. 600 men of Ramcke Regiment 5 stall British Tunisia by
Battalion Burkhardt Brigade return to attacks at Medjez el Bab Fallschirmjäger
captured near Fuka Axis lines in Lybia
19 - 23 November
Soviet Operation Uranus encircles
German forces in Stalingrad

7
 While Ramke’s Brigade endured their African ordeal, other Fallschirmjäger units of 7. Flieger Division
flew back to Russia in October 1942 for a planned airborne operation in the Caucasus. The oper-

Vo
ation was cancelled and the disappointed Fallschirmjäger resumed their place in the front line

lg
aR
around Smolensk. As 1942 came to a close, the Fallschirmjäger fought on through their

i ve
second winter on the Eastern Front in the Rzhev pocket where they held off Marshal 39

r
ARMY
Zhukhov’s Operation Mars offensive in November and December. Defending
grimly against vastly superior numbers, they inflicted heavy casualties and
blunted the Soviet offensive. Fallschirmjäger units fought on in the salient
until April 1943. Molodoi Tud

In March 1943 the airborne infantry arm was expanded and

1.  Fallschirmjäger­division (formally 7. Flieger Division) was
joined by the newly created 2.  Fallschirmjägerdivision under
the banner of XI Fliegerkorps.
During the summer the Red Army counteroffensives
intensified and began to gain momentum. In an Nelidovo 22
effort to stem the Soviet advance, a large contin- ARMY Olenino

20
FR EC
gent of 2.  Fallschirmjägerdivision returned to 23

D
O E
ER

N
CORPS

T M
Russia in early November 1943. They relieved

LI B
MB
VE NE

N
E ER
1. SS-Panzerdivision in the area around the town

NORONT LI
3 MECH RD

CORPS
of Zhitomir. Fierce fighting ensued as the Red
KALININ Lu c h e
Army attempted to break through to the FRONT sa Riv

F
er
Dniester River. The Soviets suffered enor- GROSSDEUTSCHLAND

25
DIVISION
mous numbers of casualties in the bitter
fighting. The tenacious Fallschirmjäger
held the line against overwhelming
odds. Further south the Soviet jugger- Obsha River
naut succeeded in smashing through 41
ARMY
the German lines. To plug the breach 1 PANZER ST

DIVISION
2. Fallschirmjäger­division was airlift- 1 MECH ST

CORPS
ed to the town of Kirovograd. The 41
PANZER
CORPS
remainder of the year was spent
fighting ceaselessly as yet another Vladimirskoe
punishing winter set in.

Lomonosovo 19TH PANZER 12TH PANZER

DIVISION DIVISION NINTH
20 PANZER
TH ARMY
DIVISION

30 KEY
CORPS SOVIET Soviet
UNIT Movement

7TH FLIEGER GERMAN German

DIVISION UNIT Movement

Railway
i ve r
i ve r

per R
R

Rivers
Vop

Dnie

Cities
Dukhovshchina

Eastern Front - Soviet Eastern Front - German North Africa

1 9 4 3
January 19 - 25 February 23 March - 7 April 22 April - 6 May 13 May
Fallschirmjäger Regt 5 Battle of Kasserine Pass: Battles of El Guettar: US Army Allied forces capture Axis forces surrender
attached to Hermann Allied forces halt halts Axis offensive and Bizerte and Tunis in Tunisia
Görng Division German offensive counterattacks

31 January 26 February - 4 March 5 April 2 May

German Sixth Army in Hermann Görng Division Fallschirmjäger Regt 5 Fallschirmjäger Regt 5
Stalingrad surrenders fights Battle of Sidi Nsir fights for Medjez el Bab withdraws from
against British forces Medjez el Bab

8
 ES
Rzhev

TO
MOSCOW

NI
A
WESTERN Smolensk
FRONT

30
ARMY

r
R i ve

RZHEV
a
Volg

Zubtsov
Do
Zhitomir nR
i ve
27 Dn
iep r
CORPS er
Ri
ve r
Os u g a
R i ve r Osuga
20 Kirovograd
ARMY
RO

5TH PANZER
MA

DIVISION
9TH PANZER
DIVISION
NI

39
PANZER
A

CORPS

SYCHEVKA

46
PANZER
CORPS

9
CORPS
er

Gzhatsk
Riv
za

Gzhat
u
Vaz

sk Riv
er

THIRD 5
ARMY
PANZER 20
ARMY CORPS

VYAZMA

33
ARMY

1 9 4 3
5 July 9 - 25 July 9 September 12 November
German Operation Citadel Allied airborne and Allied landings at Fallschirmjäger airborne
offensive at Kursk begins seaborne landing on Sicily Salerno landing on Leros

12 July 16 July 20 September 20-28 December

Soviet counterattack at Fallschirmjäger and - 5 November Battle of Ortona:
Prokhorovka halts German British Paratroops 1. Fallschirmjager Division 1. Fallschirmjager Division
advance clash at Primasole Bridge fighting withdrawal defends town from
through Apulia region Canadian attacks

9
 XI FLIEGERKORPS
Fallschirmjäger (parachute light infantry, or more simply
paratroops) are elite light infantry. Fearless in battle and
amongst the most skilled soldiers of the war, the German
paratroops can and will defeat any infantry in the world.
Lacking tanks of their own, the Fallschirmjäger can look after
themselves when faced with enemy armour. Their anti-tank
guns and artillery pieces can all be delivered by parachute or
glider. Their recoilless guns are light, but they still pack the
punch of a full-sized anti-tank gun.
When operating as conventional infantry, the Fallschirm­jäger
are even more formidable, having their own self-propelled
guns and are often supported by the Panzer tanks of the
German Army or Waffen-SS.
To command this elite force the German Luftwaffe (Air Force)
formed XI Fliegerkorps (11th Flying Corps) on 1 January
1941 at Berlin-Tempelhof airfield. XI Fliegerkorps acted as
replacement and training headquarters for the Fallschirm­
jäger as well as commanding the various glider and transport
aircraft required to bring the Fallschirmjäger into action.
The XI Fliegerkorps headquarters remained at Berlin-
Tempelhof until early 1943, when it moved to Nimes, France.
Initially, it commanded just the one paratroop division,
7.  Fliegerdivision (7th Flying Division). In February 1943,
2.  Fallschirmjägerdivision (2nd Paratroop Division) was
formed in western France from elements of 7. Fliegerdivision
and various other Luftwaffe units. 7. Fliegerdivision became
1.  Fallschirmjägerdivision (1st Paratroop Division) in May
1943 bringing XI Fliegerkorps strength to two divisions.
With the expansion of the paratroop forces in late
1943 with the formation of 3.  Fallschirmjägerdivision and
4.  Fallschirmjägerdivision (around a core of veterans from
the 1st and 2nd divisions), XI Fliegerkorps was converted in
March 1944 into 1. Fallschirm-Armee (1st Parachute Army).
1. Fallschirm-Armee was later expanded with the formation
of the 5th, 6th, and 7th divisions in France in 1944, and later
the 8th, 9th and 10th divisions in 1945.

XI FLIEGERKORPS
MAY 1943
Generaloberst Kurt Student

AIRCRAFT & GLIDERS 1. FALLSCHIRMJÄGERDIVISION 2. FALLSCHIRMJÄGERDIVISION

LUFTLANDE GESCHWADER 1 FALLSCHIRMJÄGER REGIMENT 1 FALLSCHIRMJÄGER REGIMENT 2

1st Air Landing Squadron 1st Paratroop Regiment 2nd Paratroop Regiment

FALLSCHIRMJÄGER REGIMENT 3 FALLSCHIRMJÄGER REGIMENT 6

LUFTLANDE GESCHWADER 2 3rd Paratroop Regiment (p. 11) 6th Paratroop Regiment
2nd Air Landing Squadron

FALLSCHIRMJÄGER REGIMENT 4 FALLSCHIRMJÄGER REGIMENT 7

4th Paratroop Regiment 7th Paratroop Regiment

FALLSCHIRM ARTILLERIE REGIMENT 1 FALLSCHIRM ARTILLERIE REGIMENT 2

1th Parachute Artillery Regiment 1th Parachute Artillery Regiment

FALLSCHIRM PANZERJÄGER ABTEILUNG 1 FALLSCHIRM PANZERJÄGER ABTEILUNG 2

Parachute Tank-hunter Battalion 1 Parachute Tank-hunter Battalion 1

FALLSCHIRM FLAK ABTEILUNG 1 FALLSCHIRM FLAK ABTEILUNG 2

1th Parachute Anti-Aircraft Battalion 1th Parachute Anti-Aircraft Battalion

FALLSCHIRM PIONIER BATAILLON 1 FALLSCHIRM PIONIER BATAILLON 2

1th Parachute Pioneer Battalion 1th Parachute Pioneer Battalion

10
 FALLSCHIRMJÄGER REGIMENT 3
Fallschirmjäger Regiment 3 (3rd Paratroop Regiment) was
formed after the campaigns of 1940 from the 2nd Battalion of
Fallschirmjäger Regiment 1, parachute school personnel, and
volunteers.
The regiment's first combat operation took place on 20 May
1941, during the invasion of Crete. The regiment fought for
the villages around Souda Bay on the western end of Crete.
The battle was hard fought and it was only on the evening of
24 May that the regiment was able to take the high ground
and the village of Galatas. The following day, alongside
5. Gebirgsdivision, the regiment attacked the town of Chania,
taking it and its harbour by the end of the day.
EASTERN FRONT
In June 1941, Fallschirmjäger Regiment 3 returned to
Germany to replace its losses. The regiment was moved to the
Eastern Front, arriving at the Neva front on 1 October 1941,
where it occupied defensive positions on the Neva River. The
regiment was engaged in heavy fighting until December,
before returning again to Germany.
Between April and September 1942, the regiment moved
with 7. Flieger Division for training in Normandy, France.
The 1st Battalion was transferred to Africa in July 1942 to
become part of the Ramcke Fallschirm Brigade, fighting in
North Africa at the Battle of El Alamein, before retreating
westwards through Libya into Tunisia. In May 1943, the
battalion surrendered along with the other German forces
in Tunisia.
In October 1942, Fallschirmjäger Regiment 3 was transferred
with 7. Flieger Division by rail east to the Vitebsk front to
fight under the command of 6. Armeekorps.
The division took over a 90km front running through
Demidov - Dukhovshchina - Yartsevo. In the course of the
Soviet winter offensive, which began in December 1942, the
division repelled all Soviet attacks on Vitebsk and Smolensk,
despite the harsh winter conditions.
On 30 March 1943, 7. Flieger Division and its regiments were
withdrawn from the front and moved back to Normandy.
7. Flieger Division was renamed on 1 May 1943, becoming
1. Fallschirmjäger Division. The 4th Battalion of Fallschirmjäger
Regiment 3 was formed in the summer 1943 and with the
surrender of the 1st Battalion in Tunisia, was redesignated as
the new 1st Battalion.
SICILY
In early June, the division moved to the south of France
as an operational reserve for the Italian front. After the
landing of the Allies in Sicily on the night on 10 July 1943,
Fallschirmjäger Regiment 3 was transferred by train to Rome
and by plane to Catania near Mount Etna on 12 July. The
regiment took defensive positions against the British Eighth
Army who were advancing northwards from their beachhead.
The 2nd Battalion was positioned at Francofonte, with the
1st and 3rd Battalion defences northeast of it at Lentini and
Carlentini. A British landing party, which landed on 14 July
by sea behind the positions of Fallschirmjäger Regiment 3 at
Agnone, was thrown back into the sea early that morning.

FALLSCHIRMJÄGER REGIMENT 3
1. FALLSCHIRMJÄGERDIVISION, SICILY, ITALY, JULY 1943

REGIMENT HQ

I BATAILLON II BATAILLON III BATAILLON

BATAILLON HQ BATAILLON HQ BATAILLON HQ

20x MG42 machine-guns 20x MG42 machine-guns 20x MG42 machine-guns

3x 8cm GW42 Stummel mortars
1. KOMPANIE
2. KOMPANIE
3. KOMPANIE
8x sMG42 heavy machine-guns
4x 8cm GW42 Stummel mortars
2x 7.5cm LG40 recoilless guns
4. SCHWERE KOMPANIE
3x 8cm GW42 Stummel mortars
5. KOMPANIE
6. KOMPANIE
7. KOMPANIE
8x sMG42 heavy machine-guns
4x 8cm GW42 Stummel mortars
2x 7.5cm LG40 recoilless guns
8. SCHWERE KOMPANIE
3x 8cm GW42 Stummel mortars
9. KOMPANIE
10. KOMPANIE
11. KOMPANIE
8x sMG42 heavy machine-guns
4x 8cm GW42 Stummel mortars
2x 7.5cm LG40 recoilless guns
12. SCHWERE KOMPANIE

9x 10.5cm NbW35 mortars 3x 3.7cm PaK36 anti-tank guns

or 5cm Pak38 anti-tank guns
13. NEBELWEFER KOMPANIE 14. PANZERJÄGER KOMPANIE

11
 On 15 July, the British 50th Division successfully broke
through the positions to the right of Fallschirmjäger
Regiment  3 through Panzer Division 'Hermann Göring' at
Lentini. This forced Fallschirmjäger Regiment 3 to give up its
positions at Carlentini. The regiment was able to fight its way
through the encircling enemy and found its way back to the
German lines at Paterno northwest of Catania on 18 July.
By the beginning of August, German units had fallen back
to the Etna Line, running from the coast near Catania
via Paterno, Bronte, and Randazzo to the north coast at
Sant'Agata di Militello. By mid-August, the regiment had
retired to Messina, in the north of Sicily, where they fought
a rearguard action while Axis troops withdrew to the Italian
mainland. After withdrawing themselves, the regiment
marched north through Calabria to the north of that region.
SOUTHERN ITALY
After the Allied landing at Salerno on 9 September 1943,
the 1st Battalion of Fallschirmjäger Regiment 3 was attached to
16. Panzer Division. The battalion counterattacked the Allied
beachhead until 17 September, when Allied reinforcements
forced the Germans on to the defence.
1. Fallschirmjäger Division was pulled out of the front and
moved to the Apulia region to take defensive positions against
the expected landing in the Gulf of Taranto. On 20 September
1. Fallschirmjäger Division was deployed between Potenza
and Matera to the coast at Bari. The British landed on
22 September at Bari and heavy attacks on the division’s left
forced a fighting withdrawal between 22 and 27 September
north across the Apulian plain to Foggia. On 27 September,
the division had to retire after further sustained attacks by the
British. At the end of September, the division fell back to the
line running between Campobasso and Torre Fortore.
The following special rules are characteristic of German Fallschirm forces,
reflecting their own style of equipment, tactics, and approach to battle.
FALLSCHIRMTRUPPEN
The Fallschirmjäger paratroops are the best of the best and this
is relflected in their excellent Skill and Motivation ratings.
ATTACHED TEAMS
Some weapons are few in number and are handed out by the
commander as he sees fit to suit his battle plan.
A Team with the Attached Team rule becomes part of the
Unit it is attached to for all purposes.
STORMTROOPERS
Stormtrooper tactics learned during the First World War empha-
sised the importance of initiative and decisive action. This
emphasis carried over to training and combat in the Second
World War.
A Unit may attempt a second Movement Order after suc-
ceeding in its first Movement Order. The second Movement
Order must be different from the first.
12
On 3 October the British succeeded in capturing Termoli
from the sea. A counterattack by 16. Panzer Division
failed to recover Termoli on October 4. The left wing of
1. Fallschirmjäger Division had to be withdrawn north of
Termoli. By 9 or 10 October, 1. Fallschirmjäger Division’s
right wing was withdrawn to the Trigno River, between
Bagnoli and Tufilo, to straighten the line.
In mid-October 1943, 1. Fallschirmjäger Division was
relocated to the newly established Gustav Line around
Roccaraso. Fallschirmjäger Regiments 3 and 4 remained in
their positions for the time being under 29. Panzergrenadier
Division while the new positons were organised.
A few days into November, the British 8th Indian Division
attacked the regiments’ positions. Over several days of
fierce fighting both regiments were forced to withdraw to
the northwest on 5 November. A few days later, the front
was pushed back to the Sangro River. By mid-November
1943, Fallschirmjäger Regiments 3 and 4 were reunited with
1. Fallschirmjäger Division on the Sangro River northeast of
Castel di Sangro.
On 15 December, Fallschirmjäger Regiment  3
established a defensive position in front of Ortona. The
2nd Battalion took up on the southern edge of the town
straddling the coastal road. A day later, the 1st Battalion
moved to the village of Villa Grande, southwest of Ortona.
The 3rd Battalion reinforced the 2nd Battalion south of
Ortona. The gap in the front line was closed again and a
full breakthrough of the Gustav Line was prevented. In
the next few days Ortona and Orsogna were imbroiled in
heavy fighting, lasting until 28 December when the German
positions were withdrawn to the north of Ortona.
RECOILLESS
The backblast of the recoilless gun means the weapon is simple
and light. However, it kicks up a lot of dust making the gun's
positions hard to conceal once it has fired.
The Team cannot be Concealed if the Recoilless weapon shot
in previous Shooting Step.
FLAME-THROWER
Flame-throwers spew a stream of burning fuel, making them
terrifying and lethal weapons.
Infantry, Gun, and Unarmoured Tank Teams re-roll success-
ful Saves when hit by a Flame-thrower and the Unit is auto-
matically Pinned Down. Armoured Tank Teams use their
Top armour for Armour Saves when hit by a Flame-thrower.
PIONEERS
Fallschirm pioneers are trained in attacking through and clear-
ing the minefields protecting their target.
Pioneer Teams cross Minefields safely on a roll of 2+. If they
remain in the Minefield and are not Pinned Down, they may
clear the Minefield automatically in their next turn.
 FALLSCHIRMJÄGER FORCE
Your Force must contain at least one Formation, and
may contain as many Formations as you like.

INFANTRY
FORMATION

FALLSCHIRMJÄGER
COMPANY
MG301

You may choose to take Fallschirmjäger

Company Formations as additional Formations
in any Mid-war German Force in Afrika Korps,
Iron Cross or Ghost Panzers.

FALLSCHIRMJÄGER SUPPORT UNITS

You may field one Support Unit from each box if your Force contains a Fallschirmjäger Company.
Your Force may only contain one Aircraft and one Observer support unit.

ANTI-TANK ANTI-TANK ARTILLERY OBSERVER

FALLSCHIRMJÄGER FALLSCHIRMJÄGER FALLSCHIRMJÄGER FALLSCHIRMJÄGER

MARDER II (7.5CM) 3.7CM TANK-HUNTER 7.5CM ARTILLERY OBSERVATION
TANK-HUNTER PLATOON PLATOON BATTERY POST
MG312 MG306 MG311 MG313

FALLSCHIRMJÄGER FALLSCHIRMJÄGER
5CM TANK-HUNTER 10.5CM RECOILLESS
PLATOON BATTERY
MG307 MG316

FALLSCHIRMJÄGER
7.5CM TANK-HUNTER
PLATOON
MG308

INFANTRY ANTI-AIRCRAFT AIRCRAFT

FALLSCHIRMJÄGER
FALLSCHIRM 2CM ANTI-AIRCRAFT JU 87 STUKA
PIONEER PLATOON PLATOON DIVE BOMBER FLIGHT
MG309 MG123
MG310

ALLIED SUPPORT FORMATION SUPPORT WILDCARD

You may field one
compulsory Unit from
an Italian Formation as
Support and one Italian
Formation as an Allied
Formation.
?
You may field compulsory
Combat Units (with a
black box) from the
above Formations as
Support Units for Forces
from Afrika Korps, Iron
Cross, and Ghost Panzers.

13
 FALLSCHIRMJÄGER COMPANY INFANTRY FORMATION

You must field the Formation HQ and one Combat Unit from each black box.
You may also field one Combat Unit from each grey box.

HEADQUARTERS

FALLSCHIRMJÄGER
COMPANY HQ
MG301

INFANTRY INFANTRY INFANTRY

FALLSCHIRMJÄGER FALLSCHIRMJÄGER FALLSCHIRMJÄGER

PLATOON PLATOON PLATOON
MG302 MG302 MG302

WEAPONS ARTILLERY ARTILLERY

FALLSCHIRMJÄGER FALLSCHIRMJÄGER FALLSCHIRMJÄGER

SMG42 MACHINE-GUN 8cm MORTAR PLATOON 8cm MORTAR PLATOON
PLATOON MG304 MG304
MG303

You may field a Combat Unit from a black box as a Support Unit for another Formation.

This was the third day that the 4th Fallschirmjäger Regiment’s fighting withdrawal towards Messina, Sicily along
the eastern flank of Mount Etna. Feldwebel Krollisch and his squad had been swapping bullets and trenches
with the furious British infantry. Krollisch was exhausted and thirsty. Resupply had been spotty. Soldiers were
scooping water from shell holes. Artillery barrages were constant, and mortar stonks could explode all around
at any moment.
The British had just taken the high ground overlooking the road, and orders had come through for a counter-
attack. You couldn't let them settle in - hit them hard quickly and you just might shove them off again. It had
worked so far. Gefreiter Günther came crawling past, doling out grenades from a satchel to every trooper.
“Here, take these. You'll need them,” he muttered as he shoved two grenades at Krollisch. Machine-gun fire
rattled from the British, bullets smacking into the shattered terrain.
“See - they want presents from you!” Günther continued down the line of crouching troopers, emptying his
bag of gifts.
“After the mortar rounds - we go! Fast and hard. Regroup on the forward slope in our old trenches.” His men
nodded, to tired and parched to speak. Whistling presaged their own barrage as mortar rounds exploded all over
the British positions.
“Now! Now! Run fast!”
The ragged line of paratroopers erupted from shelter and stormed up the hill, automatic weapons firing in short
bursts, then a smattering of explosions as the grenades went in. Krollisch fired on the move, desperate to keep
the enemy pinned down. His MP-40 ran dry just as he stumbled into the enemy foxholes. He clubbed the first
one to rush at him, then drew his combat knife and slashed at the next one. A burst of fire from further down
finished the stumbling enemy soldier.
“Keep going! Move! Over the top - chase them off!” Familiar paratrooper helmets showed how far the
paratroopers had advanced.
Heavy machine-gun fire began to thump from down-slope. The enemy were already recovering, and soon the
artillery would begin.
“Dig in. Deep! They'll be back - this isn't over.” His men unfolded short shovels, stabbing at the blood soaked earth.

14
 FALLSCHIRMJÄGER COMPANY
FALLSCHIRMJÄGER HQ HQ
COMPANY
MOTIVATION • INFANTRY FORMATION • STORMTROOPERS • IS HIT ON

FEARLESS 3+ CAREFUL 4+
2x MP40 SMG team 3 POINTS SKILL SAVE

VETERAN 3+
Infantry
3+
OPTIONS
• Add up to two 7.5cm recoilless gun
team (MG305) for +3 points each.
Each 7.5cm recoilless gun team must be attached to TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS

a Fallschirmjäger Platoon (MG302) before the game. 8”/20CM 8”/20CM 12”/30CM 12”/30CM AUTO

WEAPON RANGE ROF ANTI- FIRE- NOTES

HALTED MOVING TANK POWER
A Fallschirmjägerkompanie (Paratroop Company) MP40 SMG team 4”/10CM 3 3 1 6 Pinned ROF 1
comes equipped with the weapons to support
the paratroopers on the ground with 8cm
FALLSCHIRMJÄGER
Stummelwerfer (Stump-mortar), heavy 2.8cm
sPzB41 anti-tank rifles, and heavy sustained fire
7.5CM RECOILLESS GUN
MOTIVATION • WEAPONS CARD • ATTACHED TEAM • IS HIT ON
sMG42 machine-guns. • HEAVY WEAPON • RECOILLESS •
CAREFUL 4+
FEARLESS 3+
The recoilless 7.5cm LG40 light gun was SKILL SAVE

designed to accompany the Fallschirmjäger in VETERAN 3+

the field as a light infantry and anti-tank gun. Heavy Weapon
Assault 4+ Infantry
3+
It uses the HE shell of a mountain gun and the
anti-tank shell of a field cannon.
TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS

8”/20CM 8”/20CM 12”/30CM 12”/30CM AUTO

WEAPON RANGE ROF ANTI- FIRE- NOTES

HALTED MOVING TANK POWER

7.5cm recoilless gun 16”/40CM 2 1 9 3+ Forward Firing

FALLSCHIRMJÄGER PLATOON
FALLSCHIRMJÄGER PLATOON
MOTIVATION • INFANTRY UNIT • STORMTROOPERS • IS HIT ON

FEARLESS 3+ CAREFUL 4+
10x MG42 & SKILL SAVE

K98 rifle team 13 POINTS VETERAN 3+

Infantry
3+
7x MG42 &
K98 rifle team 9 POINTS

OPTIONS TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS

• Add up to two sMG42 HMG for 8”/20CM 8”/20CM 12”/30CM 12”/30CM AUTO
+2 points each. WEAPON RANGE ROF
HALTED MOVING
ANTI- FIRE-
TANK POWER NOTES

• Add one 2.8cm anti-tank rifle for MG42 & K98 rifle team 16”/40CM 2 1 2 6
+2 points. Optional sMG42 HMG 24”/60CM 6 2 2 6 Assault 4+, Heavy Weapon

The Unit Leader is one of the MG42 & K98 Optional 20”/50CM 2 1 7 5+ Assault 4+, Heavy Weapon, No HE
2.8cm anti-tank rifle
rifle teams, and is mounted on a small base (see
page 32). Six MG42 machine-guns make a Fallschirmjäger Platoon deadly in a
firefight, but determination and hard training make them even more
dangerous in an assault.

15
 FALLSCHIRMJÄGER
SMG42 MACHINE-GUN PLATOON
FALLSCHIRMJÄGER
SMG42 MACHINE-GUN PLATOON
MOTIVATION • INFANTRY UNIT • HEAVY WEAPON • IS HIT ON
• STORMTROOPERS •
FEARLESS 3+ CAREFUL 4+

4x sMG42 HMGs 6 POINTS SKILL SAVE

VETERAN 3+
2x sMG42 HMGs 3 POINTS Heavy Weapon
Assault 4+ Infantry
3+
The massed long-range firepower of the machine-
gun platoon is invaluable in both attack and
defence. TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS

8”/20CM 8”/20CM 12”/30CM 12”/30CM AUTO

WEAPON RANGE ROF ANTI- FIRE- NOTES

HALTED MOVING TANK POWER

sMG42 HMG 24”/60CM 6 2 2 6

FALLSCHIRMJÄGER COMPANY WEAPONS

MP40 SMG: Submachine-guns (SMGs) are excellent for
assaults where their short range is more than compensated
for by their high rate of fire. They are much less effective
though, when the user is pinned down.
MG42: The belt-fed MG42 machine-gun has a high rate
of fire, sounding like canvas ripping when it fires. Its crew
of three soldiers keep up a good rate of fire, even when
incoming fire has them pinned down.
2.8cm ANTI-TANK RIFLE: The 2.8cm sPzB41 is a
heavy squeeze-bore anti-tank rifle. Its 2.8cm rounds are
squeezed down to 2cm at the muzzle, giving them a high
velocity and excellent short-range penetration. However,
the squeeze-bore effect prevents them from firing high
explosive (HE) rounds against soft targets. As a crew-served
heavy weapon, it is too cumbersome to be used in assaults.
sMG42 HMG: The sMG42 is the schwere or heavy
version of the MG42. Mounted on a tripod for long-range
accuracy and with plenty of ammunition, it is an excellent
defensive weapon. The company's heavy machine-guns are
allocated to the most exposed platoons.
8cm MORTAR: The 8cm GW42 Stummelwerfer (Stump-
mortar) gives the company an artillery weapon for
bombarding enemy infantry trying to hide behind cover
and for knocking out enemy guns.
7.5cm RECOILLESS GUN: The recoilless 7.5cm LG40
light gun is designed to accompany the Fallschirmjäger
paratroops in the field as a light infantry and anti-tank
gun. It uses the HE shell of a mountain gun and the anti-
tank shell of a field cannon.

FALLSCHIRMJÄGER
8CM MORTAR8CM
PLATOON
MORTAR PLATOON
FALLSCHIRMJÄGER

MOTIVATION • INFANTRY UNIT • HEAVY WEAPON • IS HIT ON

• STORMTROOPERS •
FEARLESS 3+ CAREFUL 4+

4x 8cm Stummel mortar 8 POINTS SKILL SAVE

VETERAN 3+
3x 8cm Stummel mortar 6 POINTS Heavy Weapon
Assault 4+ Infantry
3+
2x 8cm Stummel mortar 4 POINTS

The shortened 8cm  GW42 Stummelwerfer

mortars give a Fallschirm­jäger­kompanie its own TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS

4”/10CM 4”/10CM 6”/15CM 8”/20CM AUTO

artillery, able to deliver concentrated firepower
anywhere along the company front. WEAPON RANGE ROF
HALTED MOVING
ANTI- FIRE-
TANK POWER NOTES

8cm Stummel mortar 32”/80CM ARTILLERY 1 4+ Smoke Bombardment

16
 SUPPORT UNITS
FALLSCHIRMJÄGER FALLSCHIRMJÄGER

MARDER II (7.5CM) TANK-HUNTER PLATOON

MARDER II (7.5CM)
TANK-HUNTER PLATOON
MOTIVATION • TANK UNIT • STORMTROOPERS • IS HIT ON

FEARLESS 3+ CAREFUL 4+
SP Gun
Counterattack 5+ ARMOUR

4x Marder II (7.5cm) 23 POINTS SKILL FRONT 3

3x Marder II (7.5cm) 18 POINTS VETERAN 3+
SP Gun
5+
SIDE &
REAR 1
2x Marder II (7.5cm) 12 POINTS Assault
TOP 0
During 1943 the Fallschirmjäger received their TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS

first armoured vehicles, Marder II tank-hunters. 10”/25CM 12”/30CM 18”/45CM 20”/50CM 4+

They keep their tank-hunters in reserve and use WEAPON RANGE ROF ANTI- FIRE-
TANK POWER NOTES
HALTED MOVING
them to plug any immediate holes in your line Marder II (7.5cm) 32”/80CM 2 1 12 3+ Forward Firing
caused by assaulting enemy tank formations. Marder II (AA MG) 16”/40CM 3 3 2 6 Self-defence AA

FALLSCHIRM PIONEER PLATOON FALLSCHIRM

PIONEER PLATOON
MOTIVATION • INFANTRY UNIT • PIONEERS • STORMTROOPERS • IS HIT ON

FEARLESS 3+ CAREFUL 4+
7x MG42 & SKILL SAVE

K98 rifle team VETERAN 3+

3x Flame-thrower team 15 POINTS Infantry
3+
5x MG42 &
K98 rifle team
2x Flame-thrower team 10 POINTS TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS

8”/20CM 8”/20CM 12”/30CM 12”/30CM AUTO

OPTIONS WEAPON RANGE ROF ANTI- FIRE- NOTES
HALTED MOVING TANK POWER
• Add one 2.8cm anti-tank rifle for MG42 & K98 rifle team 16”/40CM 2 1 2 6
+2 points. Flame-thrower team 6”/15CM 2 2 2 AUTO Assault 4+, Flame-thrower, Heavy
Weapon, Pinned ROF 1
The Unit Leader is one of the MG42 & K98 Optional 20”/50CM 2 1 7 5+ Assault 4+, Heavy Weapon, No HE
2.8cm anti-tank rifle
rifle teams, and is mounted on a small base (see
page 32). The Fallschirmpioniere (parachute assault engineers) are tough and effec-
tive. Whether they are parachuting onto their objective, or storming it
alongside tanks, they don’t stop until they have won.

17
 FALLSCHIRMJÄGER
3.7CM TANK-HUNTER PLATOON
3.7CM TANK-HUNTER PLATOON
FALLSCHIRMJÄGER

MOTIVATION • GUN UNIT • GUN SHIELD • IS HIT ON

FEARLESS 3+ CAREFUL 4+

4x 3.7cm gun 10 POINTS SKILL SAVE

VETERAN 3+
3x 3.7cm gun 7
POINTS Gun
Assault 4+ Gun
3+
2x 3.7cm gun 5
POINTS

4x 3.7cm (Stielgranate) gun 14 POINTS

3x 3.7cm (Stielgranate) gun 11 POINTS TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS

4”/10CM 4”/10CM 6”/15CM 8”/20CM 3+

2x 3.7cm (Stielgranate) gun 7 POINTS
WEAPON RANGE ROF ANTI- FIRE- NOTES
HALTED MOVING TANK POWER
Airdropped light 3.7cm anti-tank guns protect 3.7cm gun 24”/60CM 2 1 6 4+ Forward Firing
against armoured threats until heavier weapons or Firing Stielgranate 10”/25CM 1 1 12 5+ Forward Firing, Slow Firing
can arrive by other means.

FALLSCHIRMJÄGER
5CM TANK-HUNTER PLATOON
5CM TANK-HUNTER PLATOON
FALLSCHIRMJÄGER

MOTIVATION • GUN UNIT • GUN SHIELD • IS HIT ON

FEARLESS 3+ CAREFUL 4+

4x 5cm gun 19 POINTS SKILL SAVE

VETERAN 3+
3x 5cm gun 14 POINTS Gun
Assault 4+ Gun
3+
2x 5cm gun 9 POINTS

Since arriving in Italy, the

paratroops have gained a small TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS

4”/10CM 4”/10CM 6”/15CM 8”/20CM 3+

number of heavier anti-tank
guns like the 5cm PaK38. WEAPON RANGE ROF
HALTED MOVING
ANTI- FIRE-
TANK POWER NOTES

5cm gun 28”/70CM 2 1 9 4+ Forward Firing

18
Wrecked hulks from the last Soviet tank rush were still smouldering, tendrils of dark, oily smoke bending with
the bitter wind. Unger was checking the ready rounds for the Pak 38, using a rag to wipe them down and remove
any ice or mud that might jam in the breech of the 5cm cannon. Each round was precious - supply had not been
good lately.
A red flare shot into the clear blue sky.
“Alert! Enemy tanks! Stand by!” Sergeant Mowbrun brought his binoculars up and scanned past the dug-in
infantry. Plumes of snow announced the enemy tanks, with the first rounds of high explosive already detonating
among the Fallschirmjäger troopers.
“T-34s. Load AP. Schoel, take the left flank.” Mowbrun waved at his companion gun section and pointed towards
the right.
Corporal Dach nodded and slapped his gunner on the shoulder. “When you’re ready Schoel, make it count.”
The gun fired, recoil making it rear up against the gun trails holding it in position. Down range, a T-34 rattled to a
stop, hatches clanging open as the crew bailed out. Machine-gun fire swept across the tumbling figures sending
them sprawling. Unger slammed home another round, closing the breech. The spent casing hissed in the snow.
Schoel teased the aiming wheels, centring on the next target. Twin explosions bracketed Dach’s gun sending
bodies flying and slewing the cannon around.
“Its just us now Schoel. Take them out.”
The gunner fired again, sending a tank turret spinning off its hull as flames shot into the air. Eject - load - close
- fire. The rhythm kept them focused.
“We're out!” announced Unger, as he scrambled out of the gun pit and ran towards the scattered remnants of
Dach's gun.
“No rush...they're breaking off. For now.” Mowbrun joined Unger in scrounging for rounds. They would be needed
soon enough.

FALLSCHIRMJÄGER
7.5CM TANK-HUNTER PLATOON
7.5CM TANK-HUNTER PLATOON
FALLSCHIRMJÄGER

MOTIVATION • GUN UNIT • GUN SHIELD • IS HIT ON

FEARLESS 3+ CAREFUL 4+

4x 7.5cm gun 29 POINTS SKILL SAVE

VETERAN 3+
3x 7.5cm gun 22 POINTS Gun
Assault 4+ Gun
3+
2x 7.5cm gun 15 POINTS

In Italy and on the Eastern Front the Luftwaffe

partroops find themselves fighting defensive TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS

2”/5CM 2”/5CM 4”/10CM 6”/15CM 5+

battles facing more and more tanks. Tanks
like the American Sherman, Soviet T-34 and WEAPON RANGE ROF
HALTED MOVING
ANTI- FIRE-
TANK POWER NOTES

KV-1 have necessitated the introduction of the 7.5cm gun 32”/80CM 2 1 12 3+ Forward Firing
powerful 7.5cm PaK 40 anti-tank gun to some
Fallschirmjäger tank-hunter units.

FALLSCHIRMJÄGER
7.5CM ARTILLERY
7.5CM BATTERY
ARTILLERY BATTERY
FALLSCHIRMJÄGER

MOTIVATION • GUN UNIT • LARGE GUN • GUN SHIELD • IS HIT ON

FEARLESS 3+ CAREFUL 4+
4x 7.5cm mountain gun 12 POINTS SKILL SAVE

VETERAN 3+
2x 7.5cm mountain gun 6 POINTS Gun
Assault 4+ Gun
4+
The light guns of the Fallschirmjäger artillery
batteries are small enough to hide, easily trans-
portable through rough terrain, are good against TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS

armour at short range, and provide good artil- 4”/10CM 4”/10CM 6”/15CM 8”/20CM 3+
lery support in the field. WEAPON RANGE ROF ANTI- FIRE- NOTES
HALTED MOVING TANK POWER
Forward Firing,
7.5cm mountain gun 72”/180CM ARTILLERY 2 4+ Smoke Bombardment
or Direct Fire 20”/50CM 2 1 6 3+ Forward Firing, Smoke

19
 FALLSCHIRMJÄGER
10.5CM RECOILLESS BATTERY
10.5CM RECOILLESS BATTERY
FALLSCHIRMJÄGER

MOTIVATION • GUN UNIT • LARGE GUN • IS HIT ON

FEARLESS 3+ CAREFUL 4+
4x 10.5cm recoilless gun 20 POINTS SKILL SAVE

VETERAN 3+
2x 10.5cm recoilless gun 10 POINTS Gun
Assault 4+ Gun
4+
The flexibility of the Fallschirm­jäger artillery
battery is showcased with the ability to use two
different types of artillery pieces. They have both TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS
a conventional 7.5cm mountain gun and the 4”/10CM 4”/10CM 6”/15CM 8”/20CM 3+
newly-developed 10.5cm recoilless gun. Both WEAPON RANGE ROF ANTI- FIRE- NOTES
HALTED MOVING TANK POWER
offer solid artillery support without the hin- 10.5cm recoilless gun 64”/160CM ARTILLERY 3 3+ Recoilless
drance of immobile guns. Brutal, Recoilless, Slow Firing,
or Direct Fire 16”/40CM 1 1 10 2+ Smoke

FALLSCHIRMJÄGER ARTILLERY
FEATURES
LONG-RANGE ARTILLERY: The 7.5cm GebG36
mountain gun has the range to drop an artillery bombard-
ment wherever needed on the battlefield. It has enough
explosive firepower to dig infantry and guns out of their
field entrenchments.
EMERGENCY ANTI-TANK: While its main role is firing
artillery bombardments, the 10.5cm LG40 recoilless gun
can be used for short range ambushes against roving tanks.
SPECIAL RULES
SMOKE: The 7.5cm GebG36 mountain gun has an
effective smoke shell which it mainly uses to fire a smoke
bombardment, screening friendly troops from enemy fire
as they advance.
RECOILLESS: The backblast of the recoilless gun means
the weapons is simple and light. However, it kicks up a lot
of dust making the gun's positions hard to conceal once
it has fired.

FALLSCHIRMJÄGER
OBSERVATION POST POST
OBSERVATION
FALLSCHIRMJÄGER

MOTIVATION • INFANTRY UNIT • INDEPENDENT • OBSERVER • IS HIT ON

• SCOUT • STORMTROOPERS •
FEARLESS 3+ CAREFUL 4+
1x Observer K98 rifle team 1 POINT
Scout
Last Stand 4+ SAVE

5+
Observer
You must field a Fallschirmjäger 7.5cm Artillery Battery Counterattack
Infantry
3+
(MG311) or Fallschirmjäger 10.5cm Recoilless Battery SKILL

(MG316) before you can field a Fallschirmjäger Observer VETERAN 3+

Post.

Artillery can only be as good as its observers on TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS

8”/20CM 8”/20CM 12”/30CM 12”/30CM AUTO

the ground. The Observer must call the guns and
howitzers in on the correct map co-ordinates as WEAPON RANGE ROF
HALTED MOVING
ANTI- FIRE-
TANK POWER NOTES

fast and effectively as possible. K98 rifle team 16”/40CM 1 1 2 6 Slow Firing

20
 FALLSCHIRMJÄGER
2CM ANTI-AIRCRAFT PLATOON
2CM ANTI-AIRCRAFT PLATOON
FALLSCHIRMJÄGER

MOTIVATION • GUN UNIT • GUN SHIELD • IS HIT ON

FEARLESS 3+ CAREFUL 4+

4x 2cm anti-aircraft gun 10 POINTS SKILL SAVE

VETERAN 3+
3x 2cm anti-aircraft gun 7 POINTS Gun
Assault 4+ Gun
3+
2x 2cm anti-aircraft gun 5 POINTS

Anti-aircraft guns land as soon as an airfield is

captured. Once the surprise of an air assault TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS

4”/10CM 4”/10CM 6”/15CM 8”/20CM 3+

is gone, anti-aircraft guns are vital to protect
ground forces. WEAPON RANGE ROF
HALTED MOVING
ANTI- FIRE-
TANK POWER NOTES

2cm anti-aircraft gun 20”/50CM 3 2 5 5+ Dedicated AA

JU 87 STUKA DIVE BOMBER FLIGHT

MOTIVATION • AIRCRAFT UNIT • IS HIT ON

CONFIDENT 4+ AIRCRAFT 5+
SKILL SAVE

VETERAN 3+
2x Ju 87 Stuka 9 POINTS
Aircraft
3+
Every major attack is preceded by an intensive
dive-bomber bombardment designed to flatten
all resistance. Ever since the fall of France, the TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS

scream of a Stuka's dive sirens strike fear into UNLIMITED AUTO

Allied soldiers, heralding a deadly-accurate WEAPON RANGE ROF

HALTED MOVING
ANTI- FIRE-
TANK POWER NOTES

attack from the sky. 500kg bombs 6”/15CM ARTILLERY 4 2+ Bombs

21
 German Fallschirmjäger Basing Guide
All Flames Of War infantry and guns are supplied with
appropriate bases. Assemble your infantry teams by gluing
the figures into the holes on a base of the right size. Super
glue works well for this.
There are usually several figures with each type of weapon,
so you can create variety in your teams. It doesn’t matter
which mix of figures you put in each team, as long as the
mix of weapons is right. Visit the product spotlight on the
Flames Of War website: www.FlamesOfWar.com for a more
detailed guide.

Commanders and Unit Leaders Flame-thrower team Observer team

Base the Company HQ teams and Unit Leaders on a Base Observer rifle and Flame-thrower teams on a
small base with an NCO and rifleman. small base facing the long edge. Each team has an
The team faces the long edge. observer or gunner with his weapon, and an assitant.

MG42 & K98 rifle team 5cm gun 3.7cm gun 2cm Anti-aircraft gun
MG42 & K98 rifle teams of a Fallschirmjäger Base these guns on medium bases facing the short edge.
Platoon or Fallschirm Pioneer Platoon combine a Each gun has a gunner, an NCO, and two crewmen.
MG42 machine-gunner on every second base. The
remaining miniatures are NCOs or K98 riflemen.
These teams are based on a medium base,
facing the long edge.

sMG42 HMG 2.8cm AT rifle 8cm Stummel mortar 7.5cm recoilless gun
Base these heavy weapons on a medium base facing the long edge.
These teams have the gunner and his weapon, and two assistant gunners or loaders.

7.5cm mountain gun 10.5cm recoilless gun 7.5cm anti-tank gun

Base these guns on large bases facing the short edge. Base these guns on a large base facing the short edge.
Each gun has a gunner, an NCO, and three crewmen. Each gun has a gunner, an NCO, and two crewmen.

22
185ª DIVISIONE PARACADUTISTI FOLGORE
The Folgore Parachute Division (185ª Divisione Paracadutisti
Folgore) was officially formed on 1 September 1941. The
division was earmarked to take part in the “C3” plan, the
invasion of Malta. The Folgore was sent to southern Italy to
begin training for the operation.
Following the success of the Gazala battle, the German OKW
and Italian Comando Supremo no longer thought the “C3”
operation necessary. They thought that the forces freed up by
abandoning the operation would be much more useful in the
final attempt to reach Alexandria, so the Folgore Division
was sent to North Africa between July and August 1942.
The division saw its baptism of fire during the battle for
Alam-el-Halfa, which the Italians call “corsa dei sei giorni”
or “six days run”. Placed under the 10th Corps, the Folgore
Division, along with the Brescia and Pavia divisions, was
ordered to advance during the offensive on the left flank of
the armoured units of the Italian-German Tank Army. This
armoured force was intended to break through the southern
defences of the British Army, in the same manner as they did
during the Battle of Gazala.
As soon as the attack had begun on 30 August 1942, the
Italian and German forces were caught by intense RAF
bombing and found themselves slowed by significant
minefield defences.
In addition, the British defence intensified as the Axis forces
advanced. After two days of fighting, on 1 September 1942,
Rommel called off the attack and ordered his units to return
to their starting positions.
RAGGRUPPAMENO RUSPOLI
REGIMENTAL GROUP RUSPOLI,
186 PARACHUTE REGIMENT, 185TH ‘FOLGORE’ PARACHUTE DIVISION, OCTOBER 1942
TH
BATTAGLIONE (COMPOSITE)
3x 81/14 mortars
4x 47/32 guns
BATTALION HQ
9x Breda M30 machine-guns 9x Breda M30 machine-guns
3x Breda M37 machine-guns 3x Breda M37 machine-guns
6./II COMPAGNIA
16./VI COMPAGNIA
8-16x 47/32 guns 6x 81/14 mortars
COMPAGNIA
CONTROCARRI
As the attack ended, the British forces began Operation
Beresford, their counterattack, on 4 September 1942,
focusing their efforts in the southern sector, where Folgore
had created a “bulge” in the British defensive position.
The attack by 6 New Zealand Brigade and 132 British
Brigade was repulsed with heavy casualties by IX and X
Parachute Battalions. The latter had to be combined with
the IX Battalion after the battle due to its losses, which
included the commander, Aurelio Rossi. During this battle
a patrol of Folgore soldiers of the IX Battalion captured
Brigadier General G.H. Clifton, commander of 6 New
Zealand Brigade.
FORMING RAGGRUPPAMENTO RUSPOLI
After Alam-el-Halfa the two armies took time to rest and
refit. During this time the Axis forces dug in, reinforcing
their positions in order to resist the expected British offensive.
The Folgore Division was assigned to the extreme southern
sector of the army, within the 10th Corps. It’s deployment
lay between Haret-el-Himeimat and Deir-el-Munassib. The
central portion of the division was held by Raggruppamento
Ruspoli (Ruspoli Group), which comprised VII & VIII
Battalions of 186° Parachute Regiment, with II Battalion
of 28th Fusilieri Regiment from Pavia Division. The
raggruppamento had various artillery forces taken from other
divisions, which comprised some 88/56 (8.8cm FlaK),
90/53 heavy anti-aircraft guns, 100/17 howitzer and 75/27
field gun batteries.
REGIMENT HQ
VII BATTAGLIONE VIII BATTAGLIONE
GUASTATORI PARACADUTISTI
3x 81/14 mortars
4x 47/32 guns 3x 81/14 mortars
BATTALION HQ 4x 47/32 guns
BATTALION HQ
9x Breda M30 machine-guns
3x Breda M37 machine-guns
19. COMPAGNIA 3x Flames-throwers
20. COMPAGNIA
22. COMPAGNIA
21. COMPAGNIA
24. COMPAGNIA
COMPAGNIA
MORTAI
23
 THE SECOND BATTLE OF EL ALAMEIN
On 23 October 1942, at 2140, the British began their attack
on the Italian line. Raggruppamento Ruspoli was one of the
main objectives of Monty’s assault, as he attempted to find a
weak spot in the Axis defences.
The attack began with heavy shelling from the British artillery
which lasted until 2330. Following that the infantry of the
50th Infantry Division and the tanks of the 7th Armoured
Division attacked the Folgore Division’s front.
The first night saw fierce combat, with the Folgore’s
6th Company/II Battalion being surrounded and destroyed,
with only 16 men of the 19th Company/VII Battalion
surviving the onslaught.
The VIII Battalion suffered the heaviest losses of the
Raggruppamento, with the 24th Company being the only
formation emerging almost intact from the savage fighting.
Despite these heavy losses, the British attack was repulsed,
with the exception of some ground in the sector of
20th Company/VII Battalion. By 0230 the fighting had
ceased, the Raggruppamento having also lost a mortar platoon
and six anti-tank guns.
On the second day of the offensive Raggruppamento Ruspoli
counterattacked, sending forward their 20th Company/
VII Battalion supported by three Semoventi 75/18 assault
guns and a number of German panzers. The counterattack
began at 1600, with the fighting ceasing by 1630, with the
20th Company having retaken all the ground lost.
Between 25 and 26 October the British resumed their efforts,
advancing in the sector of the 20th and 21st Companies of
VII Battalion. The aggressive British offensive was again
frustrated by the fierce defence of the paratroopers, with
many local assaults and counterassaults. The British gained a
foothold though, with their forces now threatening the flank
of Raggruppamento Ruspoli.
Seeing the danger of an outflanking manoeuvre, Ruspoli
ordered his VII Battalion to counterattack the British
foothold. The battalion was supported by direct fire from
100/17 howitzers, moved into the front line in order to shoot
at tanks over open sights. The assault was so ferocious that
the British forces retired back to their starting line, losing
half a battalion in the process!
On 28 October, the 20th anniversary of the Fascist march
upon Rome, the British forces retired to their starting line,
24
500 metres back from Folgore positions. The operation took
two days. The men from the Folgore Division couldn’t rest
though, as the British resumed their attack on 31 October
on the position of the 21st Company/VII Battalion,
threatening the position of the battalion commander. They
were repulsed, but during the night they mounted another
assault upon the 20th Company that lasted until dawn, when
the British retired. By this time a 100 enemy tanks had been
destroyed in front of the Raggruppamento’s positions.
Despite their heroic resistance, the division was ordered
to withdraw on the night of 2/3 November 1942. They
retreated 15 kilometres, destroying everything that could
not be transported. The situation looked increasingly grim
as the hours passed.
By 4 November the division was supposed to have fallen back
to Fuka. However, the Folgore paratroopers had no motor
transport, their ammunition depleted, and were without
water and food. As they retreated they were continually
harassed by British armoured car squadrons. The exhausted
paratroopers, returned fire with their last 47/32 gun and
refused the British offers for them to surrender.
On 6 November, the survivors of the division surrendered
to the British forces at the gates of Fuka, receiving the
honour of keeping their personal weapons (onore delle armi
in Italian, honour of arms/weapons). The division had
destroyed some 120 enemy tanks, while inflicting heavy
losses on 51st Highland Division, 7th Armoured Division, the
Free French Brigade, and the Greek Brigade.
185° REGGIMENTO PARACADUTISTI
‘NEMBO’
185° Reggimento Paracadutisti ‘Nembo’ formed on 1 April
1941 at the same time as the 1° Reggimento Paracadutisti,
also served in Sicily as part of the Sixth Army reserve.
Though initially intended as part of the Folgore, they never
went to North Africa and were keep back to form the nucleus
of the 184a Divisione Paracadutisti ‘Nembo’.
When Tunisia fell Nembo were sent from Italy to Sicily
and were soon embroiled in heavy fighting against the
Allies. They ran a fighting withdrawal through Calabria
until 8 September, when its VIII Battalion was destroyed in
combat against the Canadians at Aspromonte.
 AVANTI FORCE
Your Force must contain at least one Formation, and
may contain as many Formations as you like.

TANK WEAPONS INFANTRY

FORMATIONS FORMATIONS FORMATIONS

TANK COMPANY BERSAGLIERI

MI101 WEAPONS COMPANY
MI104
BERSAGLIERI PARACHUTIST
RIFLE COMPANY COMPANY
MI107 MI201

AVANTI SUPPORT UNITS

You may field one Support Unit from each box. See Avanti, Italian Forces in North Africa 1942-43.

ASSAULT PIONEERS ANTI-AIRCRAFT RECONNAISSANCE RECONNAISSANCE

ASSAULT ENGINEER AUTOCANNONE 20MM AB41 ARMOURED CAR AB41 ARMOURED CAR
PLATOON AA PLATOON PLATOON PLATOON
MI112 MI119 MI113 MI113

PARACHUTIST L6/40 L6/40

ASSAULT ENGINEER LIGHT TANK PLATOON LIGHT TANK PLATOON
PLATOON MI114 MI114
MI206

ARTILLERY ARTILLERY ANTI-TANK ANTI-TANK

100MM HOWITZER 100MM HOWITZER

BATTERY BATTERY 90MM ON LANCIA 90MM ON LANCIA
MI115 MI115 ANTI-TANK BATTERY ANTI-TANK BATTERY
MI117 MI117

OBSERVER 88MM 88MM

ANTI-TANK BATTERY ANTI-TANK BATTERY
MI118 MI118

AIRCRAFT
AB41 OP
OBSERVATION POST
MI116

CR.42 FALCO
ASSAULT SECTION
MI120

FORMATION SUPPORT ALLIED SUPPORT WILDCARD

You may field compulsory
Combat Units (with a
black box) from the
above Formations as
Support Units.
?
You may field two
compulsory Units from
a German Formation as
Support and one German
Formation as an Allied
Formation.
See page 39 of Avanti

25
 High explosive shells landed all around him, sending red hot fragments in all directions. Tenente Fabio Ciccarelli
held his helmet tightly to his head, hoping it would do its job and deflect the razor sharp metal.
His company had so far survived several attacks by the British, Free French, and even the Greeks. They were low
on ammo and supplies, but they would fight to the last bullet. The Folgore had built their reputation on being
stubborn defenders.
The British were tenacious in their attack. Ciccarelli heard the charging infantry as they ran towards his position.
The machine-gun to his left, once the crew had regained their senses, began to fire. He saw several of the
charging enemy drop to the sun-baked sand, but there were still too many.
He reached for his rifle but quickly remembered he had ran out of ammo three days ago. All he had left were
two grenades, a pistol, and his knife. During the last attack he had killed a man with the knife, and the feeling
never quite left him. It was very different than shooting at dozens of men with a rifle from a distance, he would
remember the man’s face for the rest of his life. He held on to his Beretta 1934 and combat knife tightly, firing
a few shots at some soldiers who had got too close for his liking.
The sole remaining 47mm “elefantino” cannon of his company made a distinct crack as it fired a high explosive
round at a cluster of enemy soldiers, scattering them as it landed nearby.
He looked around, and saw his company emerging from their foxholes, ragged and exhausted from the days
of fighting.
“Folgore!” they shouted in unison, as they counter-charged from their position.

The following special rules are characteristic of Italian forces,

reflecting their own style of equipment, tactics, and approach to battle.

AVANTI SAVOIA! ANTI-TANK

The Italians are determined to live up to their dreams of glory. Italian weapons are light and mobile, designed to fight on
the mountainous borders of Italy. The latest technology gives
AVANTI them the punch to defeat tanks in the wide-open desert.
Italian doctrine called for rapid movement into contact, then a
careful assault to break the enemy position. HEAT
Teams with the Avanti rule have an improved Motivation The Royal Army has developed new Effetto Pronto (Rapid Effect)
rating when testing to use the Follow Me movement order. ammunition for their guns. This ammunition is called High-
Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) in English. When it explodes, it
ASSAULT ENGINEERS forms a jet of metal that can punch through a tank’s armour.
Italian assault engineers, the elite Guastatori, are specialists Since it doesn’t rely on velocity, it is equally effective at any range.
in breaking into and destroying fortified positions. A Team’s Armour rating is not increased by +1 if it is more
than 16”/40cm away when hit by HEAT weapons.
FLAME-THROWER
Flame-throwers spew a stream of burning fuel, making them
terrifying and lethal weapons.
Infantry, Gun, and Unarmoured Tank Teams re-roll success-
ful Saves when hit by a Flame-thrower and the Unit is auto-
matically Pinned Down. Armoured Tank Teams use their
Top armour for Armour Saves when hit by a Flame-thrower.

PIONEERS
Assault engineers are trained in attacking through and clearing
the minefields protecting their target.
Pioneer Teams cross Minefields safely on a roll of 2+. If they
remain in the Minefield and are not Pinned Down, they may
clear the Minefield automatically in their next turn.

26
 PARACHUTIST COMPANY INFANTRY FORMATION

You must field the Formation HQ and one Combat Unit from each black box.
You may also field one Combat Unit from each grey box.

HEADQUARTERS

PARACHUTIST
COMPANY HQ
MI201

INFANTRY INFANTRY INFANTRY

PARACHUTIST PARACHUTIST PARACHUTIST

PLATOON PLATOON PLATOON
MI202 MI202 MI202

INFANTRY INFANTRY ARTILLERY

PARACHUTIST PARACHUTIST PARACHUTIST

BREDA MG PLATOON 81mm MORTAR PLATOON 81mm MORTAR PLATOON
MI205 MI205 MI205

INFANTRY INFANTRY INFANTRY

PARACHUTIST PARACHUTIST PARACHUTIST

47mm ANTI-TANK 47mm ANTI-TANK 47mm ANTI-TANK
PLATOON PLATOON PLATOON
MI204 MI204 MI204

You may field a Combat Unit from a black box as a Support Unit for another Formation.

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 PARACHUTISTPARACHUTIST
COMPANY HQ HQ
COMPANY
MOTIVATION • INFANTRY FORMATION • IS HIT ON

FEARLESS 3+ CAREFUL 4+
Avanti
2+
2x Beretta SMG team 2 POINTS Follow Me SAVE

TRAINED
SKILL

4+ Infantry
3+
The parachutists of the Folgore Division are all
3+
Assault Weapons
volunteers. Every one of them has jumped out Assault

of a plane from heights as low as 100 metres.

In such a unit there is no room for cowardice TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS

or failure. 8”/20CM 8”/20CM 12”/30CM 12”/30CM AUTO

WEAPON RANGE ROF ANTI- FIRE- NOTES

HALTED MOVING TANK POWER

Beretta SMG team 4”/10CM 3 3 1 6 Pinned ROF 1

PARACHUTIST PLATOON
PARACHUTIST PLATOON
MOTIVATION • INFANTRY UNIT • IS HIT ON

FEARLESS 3+ CAREFUL 4+
7x Breda MG &
Avanti
Follow Me 2+ SAVE

Carcano rifle team 9 POINTS

TRAINED
SKILL

4+ Infantry
3+
5x Breda MG & Deadly
3+
Carcano rifle team 6 POINTS Assault

OPTIONS TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS

• Replace up to 1x Breda MG & Carcano 8”/20CM 8”/20CM 12”/30CM 12”/30CM AUTO

rifle team with Flame-thrower WEAPON RANGE ROF ANTI- FIRE- NOTES
HALTED MOVING TANK POWER
team at no cost. Breda MG
& Carcano rifle team 16”/40CM 2 1 2 6
The Unit Leader is one of the Breda MG &
Optional 6”/15CM 2 2 2 AUTO Assault 5+, Flame-thrower, Heavy
Carcano rifle teams, and is mounted on a small Flame-thrower team Weapon, Pinned ROF 1
base (see page 33).

The paracadutisti were supposed to be armed

with Beretta modello 38 submachine-guns, but
there aren’t enough so only sergeants and officers
have them. Even so, the British shudder when
they hear the battle cry ‘Folgore!’

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 PARACHUTIST
BREDA MG PLATOON
BREDA MG PLATOON
PARACHUTIST

MOTIVATION • INFANTRY UNIT • HEAVY WEAPON • IS HIT ON

FEARLESS 3+ CAREFUL 4+
Avanti
2+
4x Breda HMG 6 POINTS Follow Me SAVE

3x Breda HMG 4 POINTS

TRAINED
SKILL

4+ Infantry
3+
2x Breda HMG 3 POINTS Heavy Weapon
5+
Assault

TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS

8”/20CM 8”/20CM 12”/30CM 12”/30CM AUTO

WEAPON RANGE ROF ANTI- FIRE- NOTES

HALTED MOVING TANK POWER

Breda HMG team 24”/60CM 6 2 2 6

PARACHUTIST
81mm MORTAR PLATOON
81MM MORTAR PLATOON
PARACHUTIST

MOTIVATION • INFANTRY UNIT • HEAVY WEAPON • IS HIT ON

FEARLESS 3+ CAREFUL 4+
Avanti
2+
3x 81mm mortar 5 POINTS Follow Me SAVE

2x 81mm mortar 4 POINTS

TRAINED
SKILL

4+ Infantry
3+
5+
Heavy Weapon
Assault
Mortars are the perfect weapon for parachutists.
They are light enough to parachute into battle,
but still deliver a heavy punch at long range. TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS

6”/15CM 8”/20CM 8”/20CM 8”/20CM AUTO

Every battalion has its own mortar platoon,
ROF ANTI- FIRE-
reinforced by the divisional mortar company WEAPON RANGE HALTED MOVING TANK POWER NOTES

as needed. These operate well forward to give 81mm mortar 48”/120CM ARTILLERY 1 4+ Smoke Bombardment

the paracadutisti the ability to break up enemy

attacks and destroy enemy guns.

PARACHUTIST COMPANY WEAPONS

Paracadutisti Parachutist companies field full rifle platoons
with two 81/14 mortar platoons, a Breda machine-gun pla-
toon and up to three 47mm gun platoons for fire support.
CARCANO RIFLE: The Carcano M1891 rifle is reliable
and effective, despite its relatively low rate of fire.
BREDA MG: Italy’s standard squad machine-gun is
the Breda modello 30. This handy, lightweight weapon
provides much of the squad’s effective firepower.
BREDA HMG: The Breda modello 37 is a tripod-mounted
air-cooled heavy machine-gun. It has good long-range
accuracy and with plenty of ammunition, it is an excellent
defensive weapon.
81mm MORTAR: The 81/14 modello 35 is an
excellent mortar that considerably out-ranged its British
counterpart. This 81mm mortar gives the company an
artillery weapon for bombarding enemy infantry trying to
hide behind cover and for knocking out enemy guns.
47mm GUN: The Austrian-designed 47/32 modello 35 gun
is relatively light for its calibre at 315kg (695 lb), making
it quite mobile for a heavy crew-served weapon. Its 2.37kg
(5.23 lb) explosive shells are quite effective at knocking
out enemy machine-gun nests, while its armour-piercing
and HEAT rounds are deadly against light tanks.

29
 PARACHUTIST
47mm ANTI-TANK PLATOON
47MM ANTI-TANK PLATOON
PARACHUTIST

MOTIVATION • INFANTRY UNIT • HEAVY WEAPON • IS HIT ON

FEARLESS 3+ CAREFUL 4+
4x 47mm gun 9 POINTS
Avanti
Follow Me 2+ SAVE

3x 47mm gun 7 POINTS

TRAINED
SKILL

4+ Infantry
3+
2x 47mm gun 5 POINTS
5+
Heavy Weapon
Assault

The only gun available to the paratroopers is the

little 47/32 ‘Elefantino’ —not very powerful, but TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS

dangerous if used well. The paracadutisti have 8”/20CM 8”/20CM 12”/30CM 12”/30CM AUTO
‘acquired’ extra guns from nearby formations to WEAPON RANGE ROF
HALTED MOVING
ANTI- FIRE-
TANK POWER NOTES
form their 7th ‘Fantasma’ or ‘Ghost’ battery. 47mm gun 24”/60CM 2 1 6 4+ HEAT

PARACHUTIST
ASSAULT ENGINEER
ASSAULT PLATOON
ENGINEER PLATOON
PARACHUTIST

MOTIVATION • INFANTRY UNIT • PIONEERS • IS HIT ON

FEARLESS 3+ CAREFUL 4+
Avanti
2+
6x Breda MG Follow Me SAVE

& Carcano rifle team

TRAINED
SKILL

4+
3+
11 POINTS
Infantry
2x Flame-thrower team
3+
Deadly
4x Breda MG Assault

& Carcano rifle team

1x Flame-thrower team 7 POINTS TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS

8”/20CM 8”/20CM 12”/30CM 12”/30CM AUTO

The Unit Leader is one of the Breda MG & ROF ANTI- FIRE-
WEAPON RANGE NOTES
Carcano rifle teams, and is mounted on a small HALTED MOVING TANK POWER
Breda MG
base (see page 33). & Carcano rifle team 16”/40CM 2 1 2 6
Assault 5+, Flame-thrower,
Flame-thrower team 6”/15CM 2 2 2 AUTO Heavy Weapon, Pinned ROF 1
The Paracadutisti also have their own combat
engineers known as Guastatori (Demolishers).
These specialists provide the skills for clearing
mines and barbed wire, as well as being skilled
and experienced assault troops ideal for knock-
ing out Allied strongpoints.

30
Italian Parachutist Basing Guide

Commanders and Unit Leaders Flame-throwers 47mm gun

Base the Company HQ teams and Base Flame-thrower teams on a Base these guns on medium bases facing the short edge.
Unit Leaders on a small base with an small base facing the long edge. Each gun has a gunner, an NCO, and two crewmen.
NCO and rifleman as a runner. The Each team has a gunner with his
team faces the long edge. weapon and escort.

Breda MG & Carcano rifle team

Breda MG & Carcano rifle teams of a Parachutist Platoon or
Parachutist Assault Engineer Platoon, combine a Breda MG
Breda HMG 81mm mortar
machine-gunner on every second base. The remaining miniatures
Base these heavy weapons on medium base facing the long edge.
are NCOs or Carcano riflemen.
These teams have the gunner and his weapon, and two assistant
These teams are based on a medium base, facing the long edge. gunners or loaders.

CREDITS PRODUCT LIST

Written by: Wayne Tunrer GBX136 Fallschirmjager Company (Plastic)
Editors: Peter Simunovich, GE768 Fallschirmjager Platoon (Plastic)
John-Paul Brisigotti
GE769 Fallschirmjager 8cm &
Graphic Design: Casey Davies, Victor Pesch 12cm Mortar Platoon (x4 each Plastic)
Assistant Writers: Phil Yates, Austin Cheverton, GE770 Fallschirmjager HMG Platoon (x4 Plastic)
Nicoló Da Lio, Nigel Slater
GBX139 Fallschirmjager
Miniatures Design: Evan Allen, Tim Adcock, Will Jayne,
Aleš Potočnik
7.5cm Tank Hunter Platoon (x4 Plastic)
Miniatures Painting: James Brown, Jeremy Painter, FALLSCHIRMJÄGER (DIRECT ONLY)
Aaron Te Hira-Mathie GE103 Marder II (7.5cm) Tank-hunter
Proof Readers: David Adlam, Adam Brooker, GBX137 Fallschirmjäger
Austin Cheverton, Alexander Costantino,
Tom Culpepper, Nick Faryna, 3.7cm Tank-hunter Platoon (x4 Plastic)
Mark Goddard, Alan Graham, GE514 Fallschirmjäger
Lance Mathew, Stephen Smith, 5cm Tank-hunter Platoon (x2 Plastic)
Matthew Viergutz
GE576 Fallschirmjäger 7.5cm Artillery Battery
Playtest Groups: Atlantic Canadian Testers (Ryan Sullivan),
Dad’s Army (Gavin Van Rossum), GE562 Fallschirmjäger 10.5cm Recoilless Battery
Houston (Carl Bellatti)
GE541 Fallschirmjäger 2cm Anti-Aircraft Platoon
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored
in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means without ITALIAN PARATROOPERS (DIRECT ONLY)
the prior written permission of the publisher, nor be otherwise circulated in
IT743 Parachutist Platoon
any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and
without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser. IT744 Parachutist Breda MG Platoon
© Copyright Battlefront Miniatures Ltd., 2019. IT745 Parachutist Mortar Platoon
ISBN: 9781988558110 IT563 Parachutist 47mm Anti-Tank Platoon

31
 Death From Above
There was a crunch as Jäger Hans Schmitt’s boots hit the dry soil. He bent his knees and rolled to
his side as he landed. He quickly unbuckled his parachute harness and left his parachute to flap
in the wind. He got up and made for the white weapons canister he could see in the distance. A
number of his comrades had already set-up a machine-gun to cover the position while others went
about distributing weapons.
“Ah, Schmitt, take these,” Feldwebel Webber greeted him at the canister and handed him a rifle,
some grenades, and a fist full of paper wrapped clips of ammunition, “we’ll be heading south to
the bridge in 10 minutes, take a position by the MG team.”
Schmitt nodded, and ran crouched down over to the machine-gunners and flopped down to begin
loading his rifle. He was sweating, and it wasn’t just the hot Sicilian sun, he was about to go into
combat for the first time! He’d survived the parachute jump from the aircraft, surely that was a
good sign?
As if noticing his distress, Stein, the MG assistant leaned over and patted him on the helmet. “Don’t
worry Schmitt, you'll be fine, after all you are the best of the best, you’re a Fallschirmjäger!”

During 1940 and 1941 the German paratroops, the
Fallschirmjäger, had conducted some of the most
daring and decisive airborne operations of the war,
but 1942 saw their role change. Hitler was no longer
willing to risk this elite force in massed airborne oper-
ations. Instead these elite light infantry were used as
fire-brigade unit in theatres as far a field as Tunisia
and the Russia. The Italian Parachutists, initially ear-
marked for the invasion of Malta to fight alongside
the Fallschirmjäger, similarly found themselves used
the booster the Italian front-line.
INSIDE YOU WILL FIND:
• Background on the German Fallschirmjäger and
Italian Folgore Parachutists and their battles in
1942 and 1943.
• Instructions on how to build a German
Fallschirmjäger Company, and an Italian
Parachutist Company.
• German and Italian basing guides.

A copy of the Flames Of War rulebook is necessary to use the contents of this book.
DESIGNED IN NEW ZEALAND ISBN 9781988558110
PRINTED IN CHINA
Product Code FW249
© Copyright Battlefront Miniatures Limited, 2019.
All rights reserved.

www.flames of war.com

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