Two Type 89B Yi-Go medium tanks and a Type 94 tankette advance towards the Chinese lines, by Peter Dennis © Osprey Publishing Ltd. Taken from Elite 169: World War II Japanese Tank Tactics.
Many specialized command vehicles were developed during the war for the officers of the armoured formations who needed to command their men in the cauldron of battle.
The following vehicles simply add to the choices available to each country, just like additional entries in the relevant book of the ‘Armies of’ series.
COMMAND BONUSES
If you choose any of the following vehicles as the command vehicle to lead your platoon, it doesn’t matter that the vehicle is of a different type from the other compulsory vehicles in the platoon. The platoon can still benefit from the Radio Network rules and associated bonuses as if the platoon consisted of vehicles of the same type. This is to allow for specialist command vehicles, which will often be of a different type from the other vehicles in the platoon. See Special Rules for Armoured Platoons p11.
GERMANY
SD.KFZ 253 ARMOURED COMMAND HALF-TRACK
A variant of the Sd.Kfz 250 half-track, the 253 was produced in small numbers and used as a mobile observation post for artillery observers and commanders of armoured units. It had no weaponry other that than carried by the crew, but it was fully enclosed for additional protection. Principal service: 1941–45. Numbers manufactured: 285.
Cost: 72pts (Inexperienced), 90pts (Regular), 108pts (Veteran)
Weapons: None
Damage Value: 7+ (armoured carrier)
Transport: Up to 5 men
Tow: Light howitzer; light or medium anti-tank gun; light anti-aircraft gun
Special Rules:
• Command Vehicle
SELECTORS
Sd.Kfz 253 half-tracks count as an Armoured Car for the purposes of the generic Reinforced Platoon selector from the Bolt Action rulebook. They also count as an Armoured Car for all of the theatre selectors of the Armies of Germany book (except for Operation Mercury, where they cannot be used).
The Red Army liberates another Russian village from the fascist invaders
SD.KFZ 263 ARMOURED COMMAND VEHICLE (8-RAD)
Based on the 232 series, the Sd.Kfz 263 ‘Panzerfunkwagen’ was a dedicated command vehicle with a bedstead radio frame aerial.
Cost: 84pts (Inexperienced), 105pts (Regular), 126pts (Veteran)
Weapons: 1 hull-mounted forward-facing MMG
Damage Value: 7+ (armoured car)
Special Rules:
• Recce (dual direction steering)
• Command Vehicle
SELECTORS
Sd.Kfz 263 command vehicles count as an Armoured Car for the purposes of the generic Reinforced Platoon selector from the Bolt Action rulebook. They also count as an Armoured Car for all of the theatre selectors of the Armies of Germany book (except for Operation Mercury, where they cannot be used).
SD.KFZ 265 COMMAND TANK
Based on the Panzer I Ausf. B, this vehicle was effectively the first purpose-built German command tank of the war. Principal service: 1939–45. Numbers manufactured: 190.
Cost: 68pts (Inexperienced), 85pts (Regular), 102pts (Veteran)
Weapons: 1 hull-mounted forward-facing MMG
Damage Value: 7+ (armoured carrier)
Special Rules:
• Command Vehicle
SELECTORS
Sd.Kfz 265 command vehicles count as a Tank for the purposes of the generic Reinforced Platoon selector from the Bolt Action rulebook. They also count as a Tank for all of the theatre selectors of the Armies of Germany book (except for Operation Mercury,where they cannot be used).
Panzer IV Ausf D
PZKPFW 35R(F) COMMAND TANK
The PzKpfw 35R(f) command tanks were a conversion of captured French Renault R35 tanks, which were used by the Germans in the defence of Normandy. Principal service: 1939–44.
Cost: 76pts (Inexperienced), 95pts (Regular), 114pts (Veteran)
Weapons: 1 hull-mounted forward-facing MMG
Damage Value: 8+ (light tank)
Special Rules:
• Command Vehicle
• Slow
SELECTORS
PzKpfw 35R(f) command vehicles count as a Tank for the purposes of the generic Reinforced Platoon selector from the Bolt Action rulebook. They also count as a Tank for the 1944 – Normandy selector of the Armies of Germany book.
GROSSER FUNK PZKPFW 38H(F) COMMAND TANK
This command tank was based on captured Hotchkiss H38 tanks and was therefore faster than the PzKpfw 35R(f). It was also used to defend the Atlantic Wall. Principal service: 1939–44.
Cost: 88pts (Inexperienced), 110pts (Regular), 132pts (Veteran)
Weapons: 1 pintle-mounted forward-facing MMG
Damage Value: 8+ (light tank)
Special Rules:
• Command Vehicle
SELECTORS
Grosser Funk PzKpfw 38H(f) command vehicles count as a Tank for the purposes of the generic Reinforced Platoon selector from the Bolt Action rulebook. They also count as a Tank for the 1944 – Normandy selector of the Armies of Germany book.
SD.KFZ 250/3, 250/5 AND 251/6 ARMOURED COMMAND HALF-TRACKS
Once again a variant of the 250 series half-track armoured personnel carrier, these platoon command vehicles were equipped with radio aerials. The 251/6 was a variant of the Hanomag equipped not only with radio, but with tables for maps, cipher and encoding machines and other equipment that turned into a veritable advanced command post.
Cost: 72pts (Inexperienced), 90pts (Regular), 108pts (Veteran)
Weapons: 1 pintle-mounted forward-facing MMG
Damage Value: 7+ (armoured carrier)
Special Rules:
• Open-topped
• Command Vehicle
A Panther on the hunt
SELECTORS
Sd.Kfz 250/3, 250/5 and 251/6 half-tracks count as an Armoured Car for the purposes of the generic Reinforced Platoon selector from the Bolt Action rulebook. They also count as an Armoured Car for all of the theatre selectors of the Armies of Germany book (except for Operation Mercury,where they cannot be used).
SD.KFZ 251/3 ARMOURED COMMAND HALF-TRACK
The most common command variant of the Sd.Kfz 251 ‘Hanomag’ half-track. Principal service: 1939–45.
Cost: 84pts (Inexperienced), 105pts (Regular), 126pts (Veteran)
Weapons: 1 pintle-mounted forward-facing MMG
Damage Value: 7+ (armoured carrier)
Transport: up to 5 men
Tow: light howitzer; light or medium anti-tank gun; light anti-aircraft gun
Special Rules:
• Open-topped
• Command Vehicle
SELECTORS
Sd.Kfz 251/3 half-tracks count as an Armoured Car for the purposes of the generic Reinforced Platoon selector from the Bolt Action rulebook. They also count as an Armoured Car for all of the theatre selectors of the Armies of Germany book (except for Operation Mercury, where they cannot be used).
UNITED STATES
PRIEST OP (M7 COMMAND VEHICLE)
The Priest OP (Observation Post) was a command vehicle for batteries of self-propelled guns that carried extra radio and command equipment instead of the howitzer.
Cost: 92pts (Inexperienced), 115pts (Regular), 138pts (Veteran)
Weapons: 1 pintle-mounted HMG with a 360° arc of fire
Damage Value: 8+ (light tank)
Special Rules:
• Open-topped
• Command Vehicle
SELECTORS
Priests OP count as a Tank for the purposes of the generic Reinforced Platoon selector from the Bolt Action rulebook. They also count as a Tank for all of the theatre selectors of the Armies of the United States book (except for Operation Market Garden, where they cannot be used).
M3 SCOUT CAR
The M3 Scout Car was used by the Americans, British and Russians. Its Command variant loses the transport capacity and can mount fewer machine guns, but can act as a fast command vehicle for either armoured formations or recon elements. Principal Service: 1940–45.
Cost: 56pts (Inexperienced), 70pts (Regular), 84pts (Veteran)
Weapons: None
Damage Value: 7+ (armoured car)
Options:
• May add 1 pintle-mounted MMG, covering either the right and rear arcs, or the left and rear arcs for +15pts
• May add 1 pintle-mounted HMG, covering the front arc for +25pts
• May have the Recce rule for +10pts
Special Rules:
• Open-topped
• Command Vehicle
• Recce (if option is chosen)
SELECTORS
White Command Cars count as an Armoured Car for the purposes of the generic Reinforced Platoon selector from the Bolt Action rulebook. They also count as an Armoured Car for all of the theatre selectors of the Armies of the United States book.
GREAT BRITAIN
COMMAND ARMOURED TRUCK
The British built small numbers of dedicated armoured command vehicles, based on truck chassis, like the AEC series and the Guy Lizard. Principal service: 1941. Numbers manufactured: 436.
Cost: 80pts (Inexperienced), 100pts (Regular), 120pts (Veteran)
Weapons: None
Damage Value: 7+ (armoured carrier)
Transport: up to 10 men
Tow: light howitzer; light or medium anti-tank gun; light anti-aircraft gun
Special Rules:
• Command Vehicle
SELECTORS
Command Armoured Trucks count as an Armoured Car for the purposes of the generic Reinforced Platoon selector from the Bolt Action rulebook. They also count as an Armoured Car for all of the theatre selectors of the Armies of Great Britain book (except for Raiders!, Behind Enemy Lines and Market Garden, where they cannot be used).
ITALY
CARRO COMANDO M41
Similar in construction to the Semovente 75/18 tank destroyer, the Carro Comando M41 was based on the chassis of the M-series tanks, but instead of the main gun it retained the machine guns of the original vehicles. Principal service: 1942–43.
Cost: 108pts (Inexperienced), 135pts (Regular), 162pts (Veteran)
Weapons: 2 forward-facing hull-mounted MMGs
Damage Value: 9+ (medium tank)
Options:
• Replace the two MMGs with a single HMG for free
Special Rules:
• Vulnerable: because of the riveted construction, all shots to the side and rear of the vehicle get an additional +1 penetration modifier (i.e. in total, +2 for side hits and +3 for rear hits)
• Command Vehicle
M4A3 Sherman 76mm
SELECTORS
Carro Comando M41s count as a Tank for the purposes of the generic Reinforced Platoon selector from the Bolt Action rulebook. They also count as a Tank for all of the theatre selectors of the Armies of Italy.
V IS FOR…
The British stuck to their policy of speedy cruiser tanks for breakthrough and envelopment, and slow infantry tanks to accompany the foot soldiers for much of the war. They had a good infantry tank in the Matilda, but it was expensive and time-consuming to build. An alternative was developed and produced in Britain and Canada, and christened the Valentine, infantry tank Mk 3. Eight thousand of this reliable tank were made, over a quarter of all tanks produced for the UK. It saw good service firstly in North Africa, where its 65mm of armour and rugged low profile helped it to stand off the Panzers. Initially equipped with an overburdened 3-man crew and 2pdr, later models had four crew and a 6pdr, and even later a 75mm version was produced.
Many were sent to aid the Russians, and the New Zealand tankers used them well in the Far East.
Mussolini’s troops reconnoitre the unforgiving desert