Building an OSS Operational Group

Building an OSS Operational Group by Mike Haught One of the Special Forces included in Burning Empires is the American OSS Operational Group. Though US were a late-comer to the raiding war, they adapted quickly and the fledgling Office of Strategic Services (or OSS) fielded several Operational Groups in Corsica, Sardinia, and Italy during the Mid War period. The organization of Operational Groups was highly flexible. The resources allocated to depended on the mission’s needs. Often Group commanders wouldn’t know exactly what they needed until after they were inserted behind enemy lines.  Therefore Operational Groups have a high degree of flexibility in the game. Learn more about Burning Empires here...

Operational Group Uniforms OSS personnel used normal US Army infantry uniforms. However, if the OG was deployed by parachute, they were equipped with US paratrooper jump smocks. When these were in short supply, the OSS used British paratrooper smocks instead. Feel free to use normal American Mid War infantry, US paratrooper, or British paratrooper figures for your Operational Group. Learn how to paint US Infantry with Evan here... Learn how to paint US Paratroopers with Evan here...

Below: The Operational Group Platoon with Guerrilla Platoon.

However, even if deployed by parachute, OSS troops would quickly discard the jump smock. This could lead to a mixture of both normal and paratrooper uniforms.

Modelling Tip The OSS Operational Group (US802) blister contains two Operational Group Platoons and the Operational Group HQ, using a mixture of US paratrooper and US Army figures to represent this unique look. Learn more about the OSS Operational Group here...

Operational Group Platoon Operational Group Platoons are based with two figures on a small base. As noted above, you have a few modelling options for the figures to use. One option that is available for the platoon is to upgrade all teams to SMG teams. For this you may want to use the figures found in the SMG Platoon (US801) pack. Learn more about the SMG Platoon here... Check out the SMG Platoon in the online store here...

Below: The SMG Platoon (US801).

OSS Detachments The OSS has the OSS Detachments special rule which allows you to swap out your OSS and Guerrilla infantry teams for heavy weapons. Here’s a small list of the options and what you’ll need to field the full option.

Option Maximum Quantity Suggested Blister Pack (click on the link below to view in the online store) Bazooka teams 8 Bazooka Teams (US716)... MG teams 6 Rifle Platoon (US702), use plenty of BAR and .30cal LMG figures... M1919 LMG teams & M2 60mm Mortar teams 2 (each) Weapons Platoon (US710)... M3 37mm gun teams 2 M3 37mm gun (US500)... SMG teams Unlimited SMG Platoon (US801)...

Guerrillas & Partisans The guerrillas and partisans supporting an Operational Group can be modelled using the FRX04 FFI Company box set and the FFI Platoon (FR860) pack. This batch of figures includes a lot of armed civilians, which are prefect for the Corsican partisans, indeed any partisans from most western European countries really. The partisans would have been largely supplied with British weapons delivered by the Special Operations Executive (also known as the SOE).

Bren guns, Sten submachine-guns, and other small arms were supplied in large numbers. When the OSS moved into Corsica, they supplied a great deal of submachine-guns and bazookas to the partisans. The FFI pack comes with everything you need to get started on your Guerrilla and Partisan Platoons. Learn more about the FFI Company (FRX04) here... Check out the FFI Company (FRX04) in the online store here... Learn more about the FFI Rifle Platoon (FR860) here... Check out the FFI Rifle Platoon (FR860) in the online store here... Left: The FFI Company box set. Above right: A Rifle team from the FFI Rifle Platoon.

Below: The FFI Company (FRX04).

Link-up Platoons The OSS has a pair of platoons, which represent the spearhead elements of the US Army meeting up with the Operational Group. These platoons are normal Armoured Recon and Light Tank Platoons, with nothing special required in terms of modelling.

Below: A Link Up Platoon made up of an Armored Recon Platoon with a Light Tank Platoon.

Tirailleurs Platoons During the liberation of Corsica, the Free French 1st Army Corps landed to drive the Germans out, with the OSS and Partisans in support. However, the Germans had no intention to fight for the island and withdrew to the eastern ports for evacuation. This put a lot of pressure on the OSS and the partisans to hold the Germans until the French troops to caught up to help out. The French troops were mostly colonial troops re-equipped with US and British kit, so using American and British figures would be ideal. Of course there is always the possibility that a few French uniforms hung on until then, especially among the officers, who made it a habit to wear Kepi hats. ~ Mike.