USA Army - Indianhead

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The passage provides details about the formation and history of the US 2nd Infantry Division from World War 1 through World War 2.

The division was first formed in 1917 during World War 1 and comprised both Army and Marine regiments. It fought bravely in battles like Belleau Wood and helped break the four-year stalemate before participating in the final Meuse-Argonne Offensive.

Between the wars it remained active and stationed in Texas, where it tested innovations in warfare. It became the first division reorganized in the modern triangular formation and tested this during maneuvers in 1941.



US 2nd Infantry Division


The 2nd Infantry Division was first formed in September 1917 months in winter warfare. In 1943 the division was sent to
during World War One. It was unique in that it comprised England to prepare for the invasion of France.
of both Army and Marine regiments. During the war it had
The division, under the command of Major General Walter
two Marine commanders, the only time in American military
Robertson, landed on Omaha Beach on 7 June (D+1) 1944
history that a Marine commanded an Army division. They
and immediately set to work securing the beach, mopping
fought bravely at the battles of Belleau Wood and Château-
up German resistance, and liberating the town of Trévières
Thierry helping to break the four-year long stalemate. They
before moving inland.
went on to participate in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive,
which helped bring the war to an end in late 1918.
Saint-Lô
It was during World War One that the division received its The division took up the position in the front line between
insignia, an Indian’s head on a white star. The symbol came the US 1st and 29th Infantry Divisions as the US Army
from one of the division’s a truck drivers who had painted pushed out from the beach. With the beachhead secure,
it on his truck. From there is was adopted as the divisional the division turned inland and fought through the bloody
symbol and remains as the 2nd “Indianheads” Infantry battles in northern Normandy’s hedgerows.
Division’s insignia to this day.
In the American sector, the battles took the US V Corps to
Between the wars the division remained active, stationed in the city of Saint-Lô. This city was important because it was
Texas. The division was used as a test bed for new innova- positioned on a critical road and railroad hub. It also had two
tions in warfare. They led the other American divisions in bridges over the Vire River. If Saint-Lô could be captured,
anti-tank tactics and air mobile concepts and became the the Americans could break out of the bloody hedgerows and
first American division to be reorganised with the modern into the open ground beyond. The 1st, 2nd, and 29th Infantry
‘triangular’ formation with three separate regiments, giving Divisions led the way.
them greater flexibility on the battlefield.
The Indianheads were tasked with capturing the vital
The division tested their special training in the Louisiana Hill 192, the highest elevation in the Saint-Lô area. The
Manoeuvres, a giant full-scale wargame played US Army in Germans were using it to observe American targets for their
August-September 1941. As a member of the “Blue Army” artillery. Several attempts had been made to secure the hill,
the 2nd Infantry Division performed well, helping their side but the Indianheads were pushed back each time.
to victory.
Finally on 11 July, Colonel Ralph Zwicker’s 38th Infantry
After the Louisiana Manoeuvres, the division was transferred Regiment assaulted the hill backed by two Sherman medium
to the state of Wisconsin where the division trained for four tank companies, one Stuart light tank company, and some
engineers.


The 2nd Infantry Division’s artillery opened up on the hill, said, “I knew you were coming but I couldn’t do anything.
thrashing the defenders hapless enough not to be in their I could see no one to shoot. The first American soldier I saw
foxholes with over 45 tons of high explosives. When the dust was the one who captured me!”
settled the first of the Indianheads charged into the assault.
With the fall of Hill 154, German resistance on the penin-
German mortars opened up and took a toll on the American
sula fell apart. The Indianheads then set up Task Force X
soldiers and the attack stalled. The Shermans went to work
(later known as Ivory X), an artillery group consisting of 57
pounding the hillside relentlessly as the American infantry
.50 cal machine-guns, 12 tank destroyers, and eight 40mm
bounced back into action.
anti-aircraft guns. From their positions Ivory X was able to
The fight for the hill continued to be tough. At one location, hit the Germans from behind. They kept up a hail of fire
named “Kraut Corner”, German paratroopers fired on the supporting the Indianheads during the assaults on Brest
Americans from an elaborate system of concealed dugouts and itself.
tunnels. Frustrated by these crafty defenders, the Indianheads
called up Sherman tanks fitted with bulldozer blades and Hill 105
simply buried the Germans—soldiers, weapons, and all—and On September 1 the 23rd Infantry Regiment of the 2nd In-
then moved on to Hill 192. Very few, prisoners were taken at fantry Division attacked Hill 105. Capturing this hill was
Kraut Corner, such was the intensity of the fight. the key to folding the German defences on the outside the
The 2nd Infantry Division pushed through the defenders and city. Companies A and C of the 5th Rangers Battalion were
reached the hill’s summit around noon. They had achieved attached to help them with this task.
success through close cooperation between tanks, infantry, The Indianheads and the Rangers assaulted with the help
engineers, and artillery. of Ivory X which pelted the defenders from behind with
With Hill 192 secure, the 2nd Infantry Division settled into .50 calibre ammunition. The Americans poured around and
the defensive along with the rest of the V Corps until 26 July. over the top, capturing the important hill.
The American breakout during Operation Cobra propelled
them across northern France. The Indianheads crossed the City Fighting
Vire River and liberated Tinchebray on 15 August 1944. With Hill 105 captured, the 2nd advanced to the city itself.
After the battles around Saint-Lô, the 2nd and 29th Infantry The journey was painfully slow, as the Germans had seeded
Division were transferred west to Brittany as a part of the the approaches with thousands of mines and booby traps,
newly formed VIII Corps. Their job was to capture the deep including rigged naval shells and torpedoes. Amongst these
water port of Brest in what would become a very difficult the Germans had machine-gun emplacements, but the ever-
and bloody fight. resourceful Indianheads called upon M12 155mm self-pro-
pelled guns to blast them apart at close range.
Brittany When the Indianheads reached the city they fought street-
During the breakout of Operation Cobra, two American by-street eliminating each German strongpoint one by one.
armoured divisions crashed into Brittany and raced for the The advance was slow, but progress was being made, until
seaport of Brest. The US VIII Corps was then organised to the Indianheads hit the city wall on 16 September.
tackle the city itself with three infantry divisions: the 29th
from the north, the 8th in the centre and the 2nd in the The Wall
east. The Indianheads were also tasked with clearing out the Brest’s city wall was built in medieval days. It was 35 feet
Daoulas Peninsula to the south. (11m) tall and 60 feet (18m) wide in some places, making
it impervious to artillery fire. The Germans had also cleared
Task Force B everything in front of the wall out to 300 yards, giving them
The Daoulas Peninsula struck out into the ocean just south excellent fields of fire.
of Brest and contained high ground overlooking the city, The ancient wall frustrated the Indianheads until a patrol
which made it a prized objective for American artillery. The found a neglected part of the wall that was only eight feet
Germans also realised this and heavily fortified the area. (2.4m) tall and only a foot (30cm) thick. The Indianheads
The 2nd Infantry Division assembled Task Force B to capture blasted through and got behind the last of the German
the peninsula. The force was built around the 38th Infantry lines.
Regiment with support from a company of Sherman tanks, a Soon the Indianheads met up with their comrades from the
company of tank destroyers, three battalions of artillery, and 29th Infantry Division and the two pressed home the attack.
Task Force A, a cavalry and tank destroyer unit. After sporadic fighting the Germans finally ran up the white
On 22 August Task Force B moved to hit its first objective, flag. General Robertson accepted the surrender of Fortress
the heavily fortified Hill 154. The Indianheads used the Brest on 18 September 1944, only 39 days after Hitler had
tactics they had learned in the hedgerows of Normandy. The demanded the city resist for three months.
men crawled flat on their stomachs slowly and deliberately The 2nd Infantry Division left Brittany as an extremely well
toward the bunkers using each and every bush and rock to organised and highly professional unit. During the battle, the
conceal their movement. Suddenly, they leapt up overran the Indianheads had suffered 2,314 casualties, but captured over
German bunkers with flamethrowers and hand grenades. The 13,000 prisoners, nearly half of the total taken at Brest.
surprise was so complete that one German taken prisoner


2nd Indianhead Division Special Rules
A Rifle Company from the 2nd Indianhead Infantry Division Winter Training
uses all of the normal US special rules found on pages 236 to
The Indianheads received winter training in Sparta,
240 of the rulebook as well as the following special rules.
Wisconsin. They trained intensely for four-months during
the freezing winter conditions and blizzards of the American
upper-Midwest.
Infantry and Man-packed Gun teams from the 2nd Infantry
Division may move At the Double (using Truscott Trot)
through Difficult Going.

The 2nd Infantry Division adopted the


Indianhead and star during World War I.


Tank Special Rules
Tank Telephones Hedgerow Cutters
Telephone boxes were welded to the back of tanks to help Hedgerow cutters were remarkably simple. Just a few
improve infantry-tank coordination in combat. This helped lengths of steel welded on the bow of a tank allowed it to
tanks find difficult targets in the dense terrain of northern tear out a section of Bocage hedgerow. Hedgerow cutters
France. were simultaneously invented by several units, but Technical
Sergeant Curtis G Culin is the most famous. Tanks fitted
If a Tank team with a Tank Telephone and an adjacent
with the cutters are appropriately known as ‘Rhinos’.
Infantry team did not move in the Movement Step and are
not Pinned Down, the Infantry team can use the Eyes and When a tank fitted with a hedgerow cutter attempts to cross
Ears rule (see page 195 of the rulebook) to Reveal one Gone a Bocage Hedgerow, it successfully crosses on a roll of 2+
to Ground enemy team to that Tank team as if the Infantry rather than a Skill Test. If it fails, the tank Bogs Down on
team was a Recce team. If other tanks in the platoon fire, the hedgerow as normal, but ignores the Belly Up rule (see
they must either have their own Infantry team pointing page 58 of the rulebook).
out the target, or continue to treat the target as Gone to
If it crosses successfully, then any other Fully-tracked Tank
Ground.
teams adjacent to the hedgerow can follow it through on a
roll of 2+ instead of a Skill Test as well.

Ivory X Special Rules


Ivory X
Anti-aircraft and tank destroyer platoons linked up with the
Ivory X’s staff team to coordinate fire on enemy targets. It
coordinated all of task force’s fire, which was in turn linked
to the 2nd Infantry Division’s artillery network. Over the
course of the battle Ivory X peppered the city with over a
half million .50 calibre bullets!

You may purchase an Ivory X Staff Team for +25 points.


Deploy the Ivory X Staff Team when you would deploy
Independent Teams.
Anti-aircraft Artillery Platoons and Towed Tank Destroyer
Platoons that have a Command team within 6”/15cm of
the Ivory X Staff team can use it as a Staff Team to fire
Bombardments.
Anti-aircraft Artillery Platoons and Towed Tank Destroyer Since the Ivory X Staff Team is a special team coordinat-
Platoons that do not have a Command team within 6”/15cm ing the task force’s artillery fire, we recommend that you
of the Ivory X Staff Team cannot fire bombardments. use the Forward Direction Center model (UBX23).
A Bombardment controlled by Ivory X uses all of the
American Artillery special rules on page 240 of the rulebook,
except for Time On Target.

Fire from Daoulas


After Task Force B cleared the Daoulas Peninsula, the 174th Field Artillery Group moved in and organised Ivory X (named
after the group’s code name: Ivory). This battery grew in size as the battle for Brest wore on and eventually included 57 .50
calibre machine-guns, eight 40mm anti-aircraft guns, and 12 tank destroyers in addition to its normal guns. Ivory X tied itself
into the 2nd Infantry Division’s artillery and received fire missions to support the Indianheads’ operations on Brest.
During the final assault on Brest, Ivory X fired over 72,000 rounds of .50 calibre ammunition in one afternoon. Over the
course of the battle Ivory X peppered the city with over a half million .50 calibre bullets!


Rifle Company
2nd ‘Indianhead’ Infantry Division
(Infantry Company)
Headquarters

Headquarters
You must field one platoon from each box shaded black and may field one platoon from each
box shaded grey.

Rifle Company HQ
7

DivisionAL Support Platoons


Combat Platoons

Weapons Platoons

Infantry Machine-Guns
Armour Artillery

Rifle Platoon Machine-gun Platoon


8
7

Tank Platoon

11

16
Field Artillery Battery
Infantry Machine-Guns
Chemical Mortar

17
Armour Platoon
Armored Field Artillery

17
Battery
Rifle Platoon Machine-gun Platoon
8
7

Heavy Anti-aircraft

19
Artillery Platoon
Tank Destroyer

12
Infantry Artillery Platoon
Towed Tank Destroyer Artillery

12
Platoon

Rifle Platoon Mortar Platoon


9
7

Transport

16
Field Artillery Battery
Machine-guns & Anti-tank
Artillery Field Artillery Battery

16
(155mm)
13

Truck Section
Corps Field Artillery

18
Anti-tank Platoon Battery (155mm Gun SP)
9

Weapons Platoon
8

Bunker Buster Platoon

18
Infantry (155mm Gun SP)
Infantry

Anti-Aircraft

Ranger Company
14

Ammunition & Pioneer


10

Platoon Engineer Combat


13

Platoon Anti-aircraft Artillery


19

Platoon
Reconnaissance
Regimental Support Platoons

Anti-tanK Anti-Aircraft

Cavalry Recon Platoon


15
9

Anti-tank Platoon Anti-aircraft Artillery


19

Platoon
Artillery
Reconnaissance
Aircraft

Field Artillery Battery


16

Intelligence &
11

20

Recon Platoon Air Support

Artillery
AOP
10

Cannon Platoon
20

Air Observation Post


Motivation and Skill
Reluctant Conscript
The 2nd “Indianhead” Division has been selected often to experiment with new assault
Confident Trained
techniques and tactics. Now the time has finally arrived to put these experiments into
action in Normandy and Brittany. Fearless Veteran

A Rifle Company from the 2nd Infantry Division is rated as Confident Trained. 2nd “Indianhead”
Infantry Division

Headquarters

Rifle Company HQ
Headquarters
Company HQ 15 points

Options
Company Command 2iC Command Bazooka Bazooka
• Replace all Carbine teams with SMG teams for Carbine team Carbine team team team
+10 points per Carbine team. Company HQ
• Add Bazooka teams for +15 points per team.
Rifle Company HQ
• Add up to three Sniper teams for +50 points per
team.

Combat Platoons

Rifle Platoon
Platoon Lieutenant
HQ Section with: Lieutenant

3 Rifle Squads 155 points


2 Rifle Squads 110 points Command Bazooka
Rifle team team
Option
• Replace all Rifle teams with SMG teams for +5 points
per Rifle Squad. Sergeant Sergeant

You may replace up to one Rifle team or SMG team per Rifle team Rifle team Rifle team Rifle team
platoon with a Flame-thrower team at the start of the game
before deployment. Rifle team Rifle team
Rifle Squad Rifle Squad
The 2nd Infantry Division’s soldiers were among the best
in the US Army. They have trained with a wide variety of Sergeant
equipment including flame-throwers, Thompson subma-
chine-guns and demolitions. These came in handy in the
Rifle team Rifle team Rifle team
hedgerows of Normandy and will serve well in Brittany too.
Rifle Squad
rifle platoon

The Indianheads & Their Submachine-guns


The 2nd Infantry Division received a number of The Indianheads also received a limited supply of ex-
Thompson submachine-guns as an experiment to test perimental fully automatic M1 carbines. The feedback
their worth in city fighting. The submachine-guns was mixed as some reports indicated they were inac-
were given out to companies which were free to use curate and didn’t have enough firepower. Clever field
them as they saw fit. Some companies equipped all of modifications included extending the magazine from
their rifle platoons with Thompsons, while others were 15 rounds to 30 and installing a compensator to help
a bit more conservative and issued them in conjunc- curb the gun’s tendency to pull up when firing, im-
tion with the more powerful rifles. proving its accuracy.


Weapons Platoon
Platoon Lieutenant
HQ Section with: Lieutenant

Mortar Section and


2 Machine-gun Sections 120 points Command Jeep with
1 Machine-gun Section 90 points Carbine team .50 cal AA MG

Option
• Add Jeep with .50 cal AA MG for +5 points. Sergeant Sergeant

M2 60mm mortar M1919 LMG


A Weapons Platoon may make Combat Attachments to
Combat Platoons. M2 60mm M2 60mm M1919 LMG
mortar mortar
machine-gun
The 60mm mortars of the weapons platoon are excellent Mortar Section Section
tools to knock out improvised bunkers and dug in troops Corporal
with their high-explosive rounds.
Alternatively, you can group them together and fire bom- M1919 LMG
bardments to shatter enemy troops caught in the open.
The platoon’s light machine guns are an essential asset to give M1919 LMG
your rifle platoons additional firepower and support. machine-gun
Section

Weapons platoon

Weapons Platoons

Machine-gun Platoon
Platoon
HQ Section with:
2 MG Sections 100 points
1 MG Section 50 points

Options
• Add Bazooka teams for +15 points per team.
• Add Jeep with .50 cal AA MG for +5 points.
• Add Jeeps with trailers for +5 points for the platoon.

For every army the machine gun represents the pinnacle of


infantry killing firepower. Of course this means that guns,
mortars, and artillery are going to be shooting at them. So
careful employment of your heavy machine-guns is impor-
tant if they are going to last. When defending put them
just behind the forward line of your own troops where they
can sweep the ground in front of your position and stop
the enemy formations. In the attack use them on a flank,
advancing into cover within range of enemy infantry and A Machine-gun Platoon may make Combat Attachments
opening up to keep the enemy’s heads down while your own to Combat Platoons.
infantry assaults to clear the objective.


Mortar Platoon
Platoon
HQ Section with:
3 Mortar Sections 120 points
2 Mortar Sections 85 points
1 Mortar Section 45 points

Options
• Add Bazooka teams for +15 points per team.
• Add Jeep with .50 cal AA MG for +5 points.
• Add Jeeps with trailers for +5 points for the platoon.

American mortars provide quick accurate fire for your


infantry teams. While they don’t have their own observer,
each platoon leader and the company commander has
been trained to call for fire and has some of the finest
communications gear available to do it with. This gives you
greater flexibility when calling for fire than any other nation’s
army.

Anti-tank Platoon
Platoon Lieutenant
HQ Section with: Lieutenant

3 Gun Sections 70 points


2 Gun Sections 45 points
Command Jeep with
Carbine team .50 cal AA MG
Options
• Add Bazooka teams for +15 points per team.
• Add Jeep with .50 cal AA MG and DUKW trucks for Sergeant Sergeant
+5 points for the platoon.
• Replace all DUKW trucks with 1 ½-ton trucks at no M1 57mm gun Bazooka team M1 57mm gun Bazooka team
cost.

Anti-tank guns provide the infantry with a way to stop those


pesky tanks from assaulting your troops. You can field both
Gun Section Gun Section
the battalion anti-tank platoon and one of the regimental
platoons in support of your company. Sergeant

Unlike the tank destroyers with their longer range, your


57mm guns are for point defence of vulnerable areas. Dig
them in behind terrain so the enemy can’t shoot them. Wait M1 57mm gun Bazooka team
for the enemy to drive into your kill zone where you can get Gun Section
point blank range flank shots into the advancing armour. Anti-tank platoon
With their high rate of fire your 57mm guns will keep enemy
tanks away from your infantry.


Ammunition & Pioneer Platoon
Platoon Lieutenant
HQ Section with: Lieutenant

3 A&P Squads 125 points


2 A&P Squads 90 points Command Pioneer Bazooka Bazooka Pioneer Supply
Rifle team team team 3
/4-ton truck
Option
• Add Bazooka teams for +15 points per team.
Corporal Corporal Corporal
• Add Pioneer Supply truck for +25 points.

The Ammunition & Pioneer Platoon blasts away the enemy’s Pioneer Rifle team Pioneer Rifle team Pioneer Rifle team
fortifications, allowing your rifle platoons to flood in and
capture the objective. Alternatively, they are excellent tank- Pioneer Rifle team Pioneer Rifle team Pioneer Rifle team
hunters, with two bazookas and enough explosives to open A&P Squad A&P Squad A&P Squad
enemy tanks like tin cans!
Ammunition & Pioneer platoon

Regimental Support Platoons

Cannon Platoon
Platoon Captain
HQ Section with: Captain

3 Gun Sections 155 points


2 Gun Sections 105 points Command Jeep Observer Jeep
Carbine team Carbine team
1 Gun Section 55 points

Options
Lieutenant Lieutenant
• Add Jeeps and DUKW trucks for +5 points for the
platoon.
• Replace all DUKW trucks with 1½-ton trucks at no M3 105mm light howitzer M3 105mm light howitzer
cost.

The cannon platoon is equipped with light 105mm


howitzers. These guns offer the infantry quick artillery to
support assaults by firing large smoke screens to mask the
assaulting troops. The guns are not meant to sustain long M3 105mm light howitzer M3 105mm light howitzer
artillery strikes like their divisional counterparts, but instead
to pin down the enemy and lend quick and decisive firepower
to the attacking infantry.

Gun Section Gun Section


Lieutenant

M3 105mm light howitzer M3 105mm light howitzer

Gun Section

Cannon platoon

10
Intelligence & Recon Platoon
Platoon Lieutenant
HQ Section with: Lieutenant

3 I&R Squads 65 points


Command .50 cal Recon Jeep

Intelligence & Recon Platoons are Reconnaissance


Platoons. Sergeant Sergeant Sergeant

A good commander knows that it is foolhardy to go into


a battle blind so he will always have a small contingent of Recon Jeep Recon Jeep Recon Jeep
scouts to lay the brickwork for the forthcoming attack. I&R Squad I&R Squad I&R Squad

Intelligence & Recon platoon

Corps & Divisional Support Platoons

VIII Corps was organised to carry out the liberation of Brittany. It included many of the
Reluctant Conscript
fresh troops from Normandy and were well equipped with heavy weapons to accomplish their
mission. Confident Trained
Fearless Veteran
Support platoons are rated Confident Trained.

Tank Platoon
Platoon Lieutenant
5 M4 or M4A1 Sherman 345 points Lieutenant
4 M4 or M4A1 Sherman 275 points
3 M4 or M4A1 Sherman 205 points
• Fit up to half of the platoon’s tanks with Hedgerow Command Tank
Cutters for +5 points for the platoon.
• Equip one M4 or M4A1 Sherman tank with a dozer Sergeant Sergeant
blade making it a Bulldozer for +5 points.
5 M5A1 Stuart 235 points
4 M5A1 Stuart 190 points Tank Tank
3 M5A1 Stuart 145 points
• Fit up to half of the platoon’s tanks with Hedgerow
Cutters for +5 points for the platoon. Tank Tank
Tank Section Tank Section
The Indianhead Division has had a lot of opportunities Tank Platoon
to work closely with their tank support since the bloody
hedgerow fighting around St. Lô.
Sherman and Stuart tanks in a Tank Platoon use the Tank
Telephones and Hedgerow Cutters special rules found on
page 4.

11
Tank Destroyer Platoon
Platoon Lieutenant
Security Section and Tank Destroyer Section with: Lieutenant

4 M18 3in GMC 320 points


2 M18 3in GMC 195 points
Command .50 cal Recon Jeep M20 scout car M20 scout car

Option Security Section

• Fit up to half of the platoon’s tank destroyers with Lieutenant


Hedgerow Cutters for +5 points for the platoon.

Tank Destroyer Platoons use the US Tank Destroyers special Command M18 Hellcat M18 Hellcat
rules on page 238 in the rulebook.

Tank Destroyer Platoons are Reconnaissance Platoons. M18 Hellcat M18 Hellcat
Tank destroyer Section
Tank Destroyer were critical in the Brittany campaign, offering Tank destroyer Platoon
their guns to blind bunkers and blast infantry positions.

Towed Tank Destroyer Platoon


Platoon Lieutenant
Security Section and Tank Destroyer Section with: Lieutenant

4 M5 3in 200 points


2 M5 3in 125 points Command .50 cal Recon Jeep Recon Jeep Recon Jeep
Security Section
Options
Lieutenant
• Add up to one Bazooka team per gun for +15 points
per team.
• Add M3 half-tracks with .50 cal AA MG for +5 points Command Carbine team
per half-track.
M5 3in gun M5 3in gun

Towed Tank Destroyer Platoons that do not begin the game


linked to Ivory X use the US Tank Destroyers special rules M3 half-track with M3 half-track with
on page 238 in the rulebook. .50 cal AA MG .50 cal AA MG

Towed Tank Destroyer Platoons that begin the game linked


to Ivory X do not use the US Tank Destroyers special rules M5 3in gun M5 3in gun
and only deploy the Tank Destroyer Section on the table.

M3 half-track with M3 half-track with


Towed Tank Destroyer Platoons are Reconnaissance Platoons. .50 cal AA MG .50 cal AA MG

Tank Destroyer doctrine called for some of the Tank Destroyer Bazooka team Bazooka team Bazooka team Bazooka team
battalions to be converted to towed 3” anti-tank guns. These Tank destroyer Section
are much easier to conceal than a self-propelled gun and pack
Towed Tank destroyer Platoon
a mean punch.
On one occasion a company from the 612th (Towed) Tank Ivory X Support
Destroyer Battalion was called upon to put down harassing Ivory X was supported by the guns of 12 tank destroyers.
fire as a part of Ivory X, however ammunition shortages pre- A Towed Tank Destroyer Platoon can only fire a bombard-
vented them from launching full-scale bombardments. ment using the Ivory X special rule.

12
Truck Section
Platoon Corporal
HQ Squad with: Corporal

8 DUKW trucks 30 points


6 DUKW trucks 25 points
4 DUKW trucks 20 points Command
2 DUKW trucks 15 points HQ Squad

Options Tech 5 Tech 5

• Replace all DUKW trucks with 2½-ton trucks for


-5 points for the platoon.
• Arm up to two DUKW or 2½-ton trucks with .50 cal
AA MG for +10 points per truck.

Transports
A Transport Section follows the rules for Transport Platoons Truck Squad Truck Squad
found on pages 17, 47, and 48 of the rulebook. Tech 5

With the front lines expanding from the beachhead, the


need to get the troops forward and into the fight becomes
critical. The famous ‘Deuce and a Half ’ (2½-ton) trucks line
the roads delivering men, ammunition, and supplies to the Truck Squad
front lines.
Truck Section

Engineer Combat Platoon


Platoon
HQ Section and
Weapons Squad with:
2 Operating Squads 155 points
1 Operating Squad 115 points M4 Sherman Dozer
No Operating Squads 80 points

Options
• Add M3 37mm gun for +15 points.
• Replace the M3 37mm gun with a Bazooka team at
no cost.
• Add Bazooka teams for +15 points per team.
• Add Pioneer Supply 2½-ton truck for +25 points.
• Add a Bulldozer for +5 points, a turretless M4
Sherman dozer for +10 points, or an M4 Sherman
tank fitted with a dozer blade for +70 points.
• Arm up to two 2½-ton trucks with .50cal AA MG for
+10 points per truck.

You may replace all Pioneer HMG teams with Pioneer Rifle
teams at the start of the game before deployment.

The engineers helped keep the way open for supplies to reach
the front as well as remaining on hand to take down a dif-
ficult bunker with explosives.
Engineer Combat Platoon

13
Ranger Company
Company Captain
2 Ranger Platoons 270 points Captain
1 Ranger Platoon 135 points Captain

Options
• Upgrade the Command Rifle/MG team to a Command M2 60mm
Rifle/MG team mortar
Command SMG team at no cost.
• Add M2 60mm mortars to all platoons for +20 points
per mortar. Sergeant Sergeant

At the start of the game before deployment you may make Rifle/MG Rifle/MG Rifle/MG Rifle/MG
any or all of the following changes to each Ranger Platoon team team team team
at no additional cost:
• Replace up to one Rifle/MG team with a Bazooka team. Rifle/MG team Rifle/MG team
• Replace up to one Rifle/MG team with a Pioneer Rifle Ranger Section Ranger Section
team. Ranger platoon
• Replace all Rifle/MG teams with Rifle teams. Lieutenant
• Replace all M2 60mm mortars with M1 81mm mortars. Lieutenant
At the start of the game before deployment you may
group both of a company’s mortars into one of its Ranger
Command M2 60mm
Platoons. Rifle/MG team mortar

Ranger Platoons operate as separate platoons, each with


Sergeant Sergeant
their own command team.

Rifle/MG Rifle/MG Rifle/MG Rifle/MG


The Rangers are well team team team team
motivated and tough Reluctant Conscript
volunteers. Confident Trained
Rifle/MG team Rifle/MG team
A Ranger Battalion Fearless Veteran
Ranger Section Ranger Section
is rated Fearless
Rangers Ranger platoon
Trained.
ranger Company
The Rangers joined the Indianhead division once the other
flank was secure. They lent their expertise in clearing bunkers
and leading assaults.

Ranger Special Rules


No Obstacle Too Tough Rangers Lead The Way
Rangers are trained in climbing cliffs and other seemingly While the infantry practised speed marching, the rangers
impassable obstacles allowing them to go anywhere. took it a step further. They speed marched through the
toughest terrain they could find!
Ranger Infantry and Man-packed Gun teams are
Mountaineers. Ranger Infantry teams may move At the Double (using the
Truscott Trot) through Difficult Going.

14
Cavalry Recon Platoon
Platoon Lieutenant
3 Cavalry Recon Patrols 210 points Lieutenant
2 Cavalry Recon Patrols 140 points
1 Cavalry Recon Patrol 70 points
Command Mortar Jeep Recon Jeep
M8 armored car
Your corps will provide excellent reconnaissance using its Cavalry Recon Patrol
Cavalry group. These troops will scout ahead of your force,
identifying possible ambushes and concealed troops. Sergeant Sergeant

Dismount
Command M8 armored car Command M8 armored car
Before deployment you may choose to dismount all of your
Cavalry Recon Platoons. If you do this, all of the Cavalry
Recon Patrols from the same platoon operate as a single Recon Jeep Recon Jeep
platoon.
If you do this, all of the platoon’s vehicles are permanently Mortar Jeep Mortar Jeep
removed from the game. Replace all of the vehicles in each Cavalry Recon Cavalry Recon
Patrol with any two of the following teams for each Patrol: Patrol Patrol
• Carbine teams Cavalry Recon platoon
• .50 cal MG teams
• M1919 LMG teams Cavalry Recon Patrols are Reconnaissance Platoons.
• up to one Bazooka team per Cavalry Recon Patrol.
Cavalry Recon Patrols from Cavalry Recon Platoons operate
• up to one M2 60mm mortar team per Cavalry Recon Patrol.
as separate platoons, each with their own Command team.
Designate any one of the teams as the Platoon Command
team. The platoon remains a Reconnaissance Platoon.

15
Field Artillery Battery
Platoon
HQ Section with:
2 Gun Sections 140 points
1 Gun Section 75 points Observer
Carbine team
Option
• Add ¾-ton and 2½‑ton trucks to the battery for
+5 points.

The M2A1 howitzer has proven itself time and again through-
out North Africa, Sicily, Italy, and now in Normandy. The
M2A1 105mm howitzer M2A1 105mm howitzer
Field Artillery batteries are well-trained to deliver massed
firepower on top of the German positions with devastating
result.
Their accurate barrages keep the enemy pinned down and
soften them up for the assaulting infantry. Use them to
prepare the way for your assault or to break up enemy attacks
M2A1 105mm howitzer M2A1 105mm howitzer
before they hit your line. Your riflemen should be able to
mop up what ever is left!

Field Artillery Battery

Field Artillery Battery (155mm)


Platoon
HQ Section with:
2 Gun Sections 210 points
1 Gun Section 110 points Observer
Carbine team
Option
• Add ¾-ton trucks and M5 high-speed tractors to the
battery for +5 points.
You may not field a Field Artillery Battery (155mm)
unless you are also fielding a Field Artillery Battery
or an Armored Field Artillery Battery with at least
three guns.
M1 155mm howitzer M1 155mm howitzer

The heavy M1 155mm howitzer is an extremely powerful gun.


Its shells will dig out even the most determined defender and
leave their fortifications a tangled mess of wire and mud. M5 high-speed tractor M5 high-speed tractor

The heavy bombardment of 155mm shells is also quite deadly


against enemy tank formations. Their very presence on the
battlefield will force tank platoons to spread out, making it M1 155mm howitzer M1 155mm howitzer
much easier to amush them with your anti-tank guns.

M5 high-speed tractor M5 high-speed tractor

Field Artillery Battery (155mm)

16
Chemical Mortar Platoon
Platoon Lieutenant
HQ Section with: Lieutenant

2 Mortar Sections 120 points


1 Mortar Section 70 points Command Jeep with Observer
Carbine team .50 cal AA MG Carbine team
Options
• Add Bazooka teams for +15 points per team.
Sergeant Sergeant
• Add Jeep with .50 cal AA MG for +5 points.
• Add Jeeps with trailers to the platoon for +5 points.
4.2” chemical mortar 4.2” chemical mortar
The chemical mortar platoon provides US forces with the
quick and accurate fire support of a mortar combined with 4.2” chemical mortar 4.2” chemical mortar
the explosive payload of large-calibre artillery. Able to blast
dug in troops and guns from the cover of trenches, the large
mortars add tremendously to the volume of fire supporting Jeep with trailer Jeep with trailer
Bazooka Bazooka
your troops. team team
Jeep with trailer Jeep with trailer
With their short range, the mortars must be placed close to
Mortar Section Mortar Section
the enemy, so position them behind cover to keep them safe
from direct fire. Their only real disadvantage over normal Chemical Mortar platoon
artillery is their lack of a fire control centre and plenti-
ful ammunition supply. This limits them to short, sharp
bombardments.

Armored Field Artillery Battery


Platoon
HQ Section with:
2 Gun Sections 300 points
1 Gun Section 170 points

Options
• Add Jeep and M2 half-tack with .50 cal AA MG to
the battery for +5 points.
• Replace Jeep with M2 half-track with an AA MG for
+5 points.

An Observer Sherman OP tank is an Independent team.

D-Day planners felt the invading infantry needed immedi-


ate fire support while coming ashore and artillery that could
move forward across the shingle bank at the top of the beach
without engineering support. To meet this need the planners
gave armoured field artillery batteries to the infantry for the
landings. In a pinch they could be used as assault guns by
firing directly at bunkers blocking the beach exits.

Armored Field Artillery Battery

17
Corps Field Artillery Battery (155mm Gun SP)
Platoon
HQ Section with:
2 Gun Sections 280 points
1 Gun Section 150 points Observer
Carbine team

Option
• Add ¾-ton trucks at no cost.
You may not field a Corps Field Artillery Battery
(155mm Gun SP) unless you are also fielding a Field
Artillery Battery or an Armored Field Artillery Battery
with at least three guns.

M12 155mm GMC M12 155mm GMC

M12 155mm GMC M12 155mm GMC

Corps Field Artillery Battery


(155mm Gun SP)

Bunker Buster Platoon (155mm Gun SP)


Platoon
2 M12 155mm GMC 130 points

The 174th Field Artillery battalion (155 Gun SP) broke off
some of their M12 155mm GMC guns and sent them to
Command M12 155mm GMC M12 155mm GMC
support the 29th Infantry Division in knocking out German
assault gun assault gun
bunkers. Some German fortifications were so tough that
the M12 crews had to position their vehicles at point blank Bunker buster platoon
ranges in order to blow them up. (155mm Gun SP)

18
Heavy Anti-Aircraft Artillery Platoon
Platoon Lieutenant
HQ Section with: Lieutenant

2 M1 90mm guns 130 points


1 M1 90mm gun 65 points Command Carbine team Jeep

Options
• Model 90mm Anti-aircraft gun with eight or more crew Sergeant Sergeant
and increase their ROF to 3 for +10 points per gun.
• Add a Jeep and M5 high-speed tractors for +5 points
for the platoon. M1 90mm gun M1 90mm gun

VIII Corps set up a pair of 90mm anti-aircraft guns on the


tip of the Daoulas Peninsula and began pounding the city
from afar. Unfortunately, its flat trajectory meant it had to M5 high-speed tractor M5 high-speed tractor
be deployed in view of the German artillery, which promptly Anti-aircraft Anti-aircraft
opened fire in retaliation. The guns were eventually with- Section Section
drawn and placed back in the main line as normal AA guns. Heavy Anti-aircraft Artillery platoon

Anti-aircraft Artillery Platoon


Platoon Lieutenant
HQ Section with: Lieutenant

2 M1 Bofors & 2 M2 .50 cal AA 105 points


1 M1 Bofors & 1 M2 .50 cal AA 55 points Command Jeep
Carbine team
2 M1 Bofors & 2 M49 quad .50 cal AA 120 points
1 M1 Bofors & 1 M49 quad .50 cal AA 60 points
Sergeant Sergeant
Option
• Add Jeep and 2½-ton trucks for +5 points for the
platoon.
Anti-aircraft gun Anti-aircraft gun

Ivory X provided the Indianhead Division with plenty of


firepower in the form of .50 cal and 40mm anti-aircraft guns. M1 Bofors gun M1 Bofors gun
Their harassing fire helped keep the Germans from moving
freely through the outskirts and hills of Brest, allowing the
Indianheads to easily move in and outflank the enemy.
2 ½-ton truck 2 ½-ton truck
M49 Quad .50 cal in Bombardment
The high rate of fire from a M49 Quad .50 cal could put
twice as many rounds in the air as a single .50 cal. 2 ½-ton truck 2 ½-ton truck

Each M49 quad .50 cal AA gun counts as two weapons Automatic Automatic
Weapons Section Weapons Section
when firing an Ivory X bombardment.
Anti-aircraft Artillery Platoon

19
Air Support
Priority Air Support Flight Lieutenant
P-47 Thunderbolt 190 points Flight Lieutenant

Limited Air Support


P-47 Thunderbolt 150 points Aircraft
Flight
Having swept the Luftwaffe, the German Air Force, from Air Support
the skies, the Allied Air Forces have exposed the German
Army to their fighter-bombers. The ability to hit and destroy
targets anywhere on the battlefield with near impunity has
made air support an expected and welcome addition to de-
feating German ground forces.

Air Observation Post


AOP Flight Lieutenant
L4 Grasshopper AOP 40 points Flight Lieutenant

An AOP uses the Air Observation Post rules on page 139


and page 239 of the rulebook. L4 Grasshopper AOP
AOP

Air Observation Post

20
US ARSENAL
Tank Teams
Armour
Name Mobility Front Side Top Equipment and Notes
Weapon Range ROF Anti-tank Firepower

Tanks
M5A1 Stuart Light Tank 4 2 1 Co-ax MG, Hull MG, AA MG, Tank telephone.
M6 37mm gun 24”/60cm 2 7 4+ Stabiliser.
M4 or M4A1 Sherman Standard Tank 6 4 1 Co-ax MG, Hull MG, .50 cal AA MG, Tank telephone.
M3 75mm gun 32”/80cm 2 10 3+ Smoke, Stabiliser.
M4 or M4A1 Sherman dozer Standard Tank 6 4 1 Co-ax MG, .50 cal AA MG, Bulldozer, Tank telephone.
M3 75mm gun 32”/80cm 2 10 3+ Smoke, Stabiliser.

Tank Destroyers
M18 Hellcat GMC Light Tank 2 0 0 .50 cal AA MG.
M1 76mm gun 32”/80cm 2 12 3+

Artillery
M7 Priest HMC Standard Tank 1 0 0 .50 cal AA MG.
M2A1 105mm howitzer 24”/60cm 1 9 2+ Hull mounted, Breakthrough gun, Smoke.
Firing bombardments 72”/180cm - 4 4+ Smoke bombardment.
M12 155mm GMC Standard Tank 0 0 0 Awkward layout.
M1918M1 155mm gun 24”/60cm 1 13 1+ Hull mounted, Bunker buster.
Firing bombardments 104”/260cm - 5 2+
M4 or M4A1 Sherman OP Standard Tank 6 4 1 Co-ax MG, Hull MG, .50 cal AA MG.
M3 75mm gun 32”/80cm 1 10 3+ Smoke.

Reconnaissance
M8 armored car Wheeled 1 0 0 Co-ax MG, .50 cal AA MG.
M6 37mm gun 24”/60cm 2 7 4+
M20 scout car Jeep 1 0 0 .50 cal AA MG.
Recon Jeep Jeep - - - AA MG.
.50 cal Recon Jeep Jeep - - - .50 cal AA MG.
Mortar Jeep Jeep - - -
M2 60mm mortar 24”/60cm 2 1 3+ Hull mounted, Portee, Can fire over friendly troops.
Firing Bombardments 32”/80cm - 1 6

Vehicle Machine-guns
Vehicle MG 16”/40cm 3 2 6 ROF 1 if other weapons fire.
.50 cal Vehicle MG 16”/40cm 3 4 5+ ROF 1 if other weapons fire.

Infantry Teams
Team Range ROF Anti-tank Firepower Notes
Carbine team 8”/20cm 1 1 6 Automatic rifles.
Rifle team 16”/40cm 1 2 6 Automatic rifles.
Rifle/MG team 16”/40cm 2 2 6
SMG team 4”/10cm 3 1 6 Full ROF when moving.
Bazooka team 8”/20cm 1 10 5+ Tank assault 4.
Flame-thrower team 4”/10cm 2 - 6 Flame-thrower.
Staff team 16”/40cm 1 2 6 Automatic rifles, Moves as a Heavy Gun team.
Ivory X Staff team 16”/40cm 1 2 6 Automatic rifles, Cannot move.

Additional Training and Equipment


Pioneer teams are rated as Tank Assault 3.

21
Gun Teams
Weapon Mobility Range ROF Anti-tank Firepower Notes
M2 .50 cal MG Man-packed 16”/40cm 3 4 5+
M1919 LMG team Man-packed 16”/40cm 5 2 6 ROF 2 when pinned down or moving.
M1917 HMG team Man-packed 24”/60cm 6 2 6 ROF 3 when pinned down or moving.
M2 60mm mortar Man-packed 24”/60cm 2 1 3+ Minimum range 8”/20cm.
Firing bombardments 32”/80cm - 1 6
M1 81mm mortar Man-packed 24”/60cm 2 2 3+ Minimum range 8”/20cm, Smoke.
Firing bombardments 40”/100cm - 2 6 Smoke bombardment.
4.2in Chemical mortar Light 48”/120cm - 3 4+ Smoke bombardment.
M2 .50 cal AA gun Heavy 16”/40cm 4 4 5+ Anti-aircraft, Turntable.
Firing Ivory X bombardments 40”/100cm - - -
M49 quad .50 cal AA gun Heavy 16”/40cm 6 4 5+ Anti-aircraft, Turntable.
Firing Ivory X bombardments 40”/100cm - - -
M1 Bofors gun Immobile 24”/60cm 4 6 4+ Anti-aircraft, Turntable.
Firing Ivory X bombardments 48”/120cm - - -
M1 90mm gun Immobile 40”/100cm 2 13 3+ Heavy Anti-aircraft, Turntable.
M3 37mm gun Light 24”/60cm 3 7 4+ Gun shield.
M1 57mm gun Medium 24”/60cm 3 10 4+ Gun shield, No HE.
M5 3in gun Immobile 32”/80cm 2 12 3+ Gun shield.
Firing Ivory X bombardments 64”/160cm - - -
M3 105mm light howitzer Heavy 16”/40cm 1 7 2+ Breakthrough gun, Smoke.
Firing bombardments 56”/140cm - 4 4+ Smoke bombardment.
M2A1 105mm howitzer Immobile 24”/60cm 1 9 2+ Breakthrough gun, Gun shield, Smoke.
Firing bombardments 72”/180cm - 4 4+ Smoke bombardment.
M1 155mm howitzer Immobile 24”/60cm 1 10 1+ Bunker buster, Gun shield, Smoke.
Firing bombardments 88”/220cm - 5 2+ Smoke bombardment.

Transport Teams
Armour
Vehicle Mobility Front Side Top Equipment and Notes
Weapon Range ROF Anti-tank Firepower

Trucks
Jeep Jeep - - - Optional Passenger-fired AA MG or .50 cal AA MG.
Dodge ¾-ton or GMC 2 ½-ton truck Wheeled - - -
DUKW truck Wheeled - - - Optional Passenger-fired .50 cal AA MG, Amphibious.
M5 high-speed tractor Standard Tank - - - .50 cal AA MG.

Armoured Personnel Carriers


M2 or M3 half-track Half-tracked 1 0 0 Optional Passenger-fired AA MG or .50 cal AA MG.
M20 utility Jeep 1 0 0 Passenger-fired .50 cal AA MG.

Recovery and Engineer Vehicles


Turretless M4 Sherman dozer Standard Tank 6 4 0 Bulldozer.
Bulldozer Very Slow Tank - - - Bulldozer.

Aircraft
Aircraft Weapon To Hit Anti-tank Firepower Notes
P-47 Thunderbolt MG 2+ 6 5+
Bombs 4+ 5 1+

22

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