Compagnie de Tirailleurs HQ (FR741)

Compagnie de Tirailleurs HQ (FR741) with one Company Command Rifle team, one 2iC Command Rifle team, two 81mm mle 27/31 mortars with crew, one 60mm mle 35 mortar with crew, two Small bases & three Medium bases. In 1941 France was a defeated nation. The Germans had installed the puppet Vichy regime, which retained only a thin veil of independence.  Check out the Compagnie de Tirailleurs HQ in the online store here... Left: The Company Command Rifle team.

Battlefront TV Burning Empires: The Allies Mike takes a quick look at what you can expect to see in the Allied lists covered by the new Early War book Burning Empires. Visit the Battlefront TV channel on YouTube here...

Vichy France "After the fall of France the Germans divided country into two parts. The north remained under their control so that they could operate freely over the English Channel and establish submarine bases along the Atlantic coast. The south was given to the collaborationist Vichy French government. Although never fully trusted by the Germans, the Vichy government steadfastly resisted Allied invasions into their territory in both the Levant and in North Africa."

However, many were still loyal to the government and its small military would stand up to any enemy invasion. Meanwhile, Charles de Gaulle had set up a Free French government in exile based in London. From there he called all French volunteers to join his cause against Germany and its allies. Thousands answered his call and he assembled a small Free French military to help the Allies in North Africa.

Gaullist France "Some French people refused to surrender and opted for exile rather than collaboration. These exiles rallied under the flag of Charles de Gaulle, and were referred to as Gaullists. These defiant French troops fought side-by-side with the Allied armies with the ultimate aim to avenge the military disaster of 1940. The Free French army was small, but grew over time with soldiers from France’s defeated army in exile, her colonies abroad, and foreign volunteers."

Although fighting on opposite sides in the war, both the Vichy and Gaullist French forces in Syria still follow the normal French organisations for an infantry company. Each captain commands up to 200 men, whether they are locally raised troops, colonial troops from Africa, or Legionnaires. Right: The 2iC Command Rifle team.

"The figures in the Compagnie de Tirailleurs HQ can be used to represent French forces during the campaign in France (i.e. Blitzkrieg) or to represent a French force in Burning Empires . You can even mix and match in the Greatcoat figures to add a flavour to your infantry bases." Learn more about Blitzkrieg here…

The Company Command & 2iC Command Teams in Flames Of War

Team Range ROF Anti-tank Firepower Notes Rifle team 16"/40cm 1 2 6 -

	The commander of these troops must make the decision to fight their brothers-in-arms on the other side or hold their fire. This fratricidal fighting can be a sad, bitter affair but the commander of these troops will ensure the fighting is conducted with honour and according to tradition. Designed by Evan Allen Painting Mark Hazell
What To Know More About Burning Empires? Read the Burning Empires Design Notes here... Listen to Part One of the Radio Free Battlefront podcast on Burning Empires here... Listen to Part Two of the Radio Free Battlefront podcast on Burning Empires here...

The 81mm 27/31 Mortar Teams

The 81mm 27/31 Mortar in Flames Of War

Weapon Mobility Range ROF Anti-tank Firepower Notes 81mm 27/31 mortar Man-packed 40"/100cm - 2 6 Smoke bombardment.

"The 81mm 27/31 mortar has the ability to fire smoke as a Smoke bombardment. Smoke can be used to conceal your units as they advance across the table or to prevent a specific enemy unit from targeting your troops."

The 60mm mle 35 Team

The 60mm mle 35 Mortar in Flames Of War

Weapon Mobility Range ROF Anti-tank Firepower Notes 60mm mle 35 mortar Man-packed 24"/60cm 2 1 3+ Can fire over friendly troops. Firing bombardments 32"/80cm - 2 6 -

The Compagnie de Tirailleurs HQ Ready For Action