Underkategorier

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  Germany

  Through the early war period (1939-1942) German forces enjoyed great success - speeding their way across huge swathes of Europe with their revolutionary Blitzkrieg tactics. As the war progressed, they fought on every front - from the icy steppes of the Soviet Union, the dust-choked sands of El Alamein, the beaches of Normandy, to the rubble-strewn streets of Berlin. German industrial infrastructure ultimately struggled to keep up with demand from the front line. However, thanks to a seemingly unquenchable thirst for advancement, German equipment of the era is widely regarded to be technologically superior to that of the Allies - the prime example being the German 'Big Cats' - the Panther and Tiger tanks, which have become quintessential icons of the conflict.

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  Italy

  The Kingdom of Italy was governed by the National Fascist Party from 1922 to 1943 with Benito Mussolini as prime minister. The Italian Fascists imposed totalitarian rule and crushed political and intellectual opposition, while promoting economic modernization, traditional social values and a rapprochement with the Roman Catholic Church.

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  Finland & Hungary

  Finland’s role during World War II was both unique and remarkable. The Finns achieved spectacular military successes against the Soviet Union despite being heavily outnumbered and lacking much in the way of modern equipment including tanks and anti-tank weapons.

  Finland’s war against the Soviets was in many respects a separate affair, and the Finns themselves certainly tend to consider it as such. Once the Soviets joined the Allied camp following Hitler’s invasion of Russia, Finland had no option left but to seek aid from Germany, so although never officially part of the tripartite pact of Germany, Italy and Japan, Finland was regarded as an Axis power during the post-war settlement.

  The Hungarian Army operated in support of the German Army in their invasion of Southern Russia, pushing as far as Stalingrad in Operation Barbarossa. Following their crushing defeat at the historic siege, the Hungarians shifted into a more defensive role. A Hungarian Bolt Action can make for a very unique force on the tabletop. 

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  Japan

  Japanese Army’s organisation and equipment varied massively - as they fought from the beginning of the war during their stalemate with China in Manchuria in 1931 - to the very end - with the dropping of the first atomic bomb in 1945. Japanese forces became known for their fanatical fighting spirit - their soldiers having been subjected to years of indoctrination - they would rather take their own lives than risk the dishonour of being captured at the hands of the enemy. Their equipment wasn’t the best - however they developed an intimate knowledge of their surroundings and would often use guerrilla tactics and ambush to wage an intense psychological war upon the enemy before launching desperate assaults in which they’d throw wave-after-wave of fanatical troops upon the enemy’s guns.