Building a Mid-War Eastern Front Force based on the Iron Cross Starter Set

Building a Mid-War Eastern Front Force based on the Iron Cross Starter Set

Building a Mid-War Eastern Front Force based on the Iron Cross Starter Set
with John Lee

With the launch of the Eastern Front Compilation release, I thought I would look at how a new player, or someone on a budget, can get a German Infantry force on the table that would be semi-competitive or at least hold its own.  For the new player, it opens the door to playing Flames of War without needing to buy, assemble or paint too much and get into playing the game quicker.

So, if we look at what we get in the excellent value Army Deal (Iron Cross Grenadier Company), that will help decide what formations to run.  The Army Deal contains the following:

  • Complete A5 Rulebook
  • German “Start Here” booklet
  • 1 x Grenadier Company HQ (2 x MP40 SMG team)
  • 2 x Grenadier Platoons (7 x MG34 and K98 rifle teams)
  • 1 x Sniper Team
  • 4 x sMG34 HMG Teams
  • 4 x 5cm Anti-tank Guns
  • 4 x 10.5cm Howitzers
  • 2 x 8.8cm AA gun
  • 8 x Unit Cards

Building a Mid-War Eastern Front Force based on the Iron Cross Starter Set

The bonus here is that the rulebook is included in the box – so a new player makes a saving right away.  Most previous Army Deals have been vehicle or tank based, but this is one of the first Infantry-based Army Deals and gives you a useful army straight out of the box as we explore later in this article. One of the unique features for the Mid War Eastern Front in V4 is the Sniper team.  A Sniper team has some special rules and can be a useful addition to your formation if it includes one.+3 “Snipers Hide” means they are always gone to ground and can always be held in ambush in addition to other units in ambush. If held in reserve, it can also be in ambush when the unit arrives on the table.  When placed in ambush, they can do so in their deployment area or No Man’s land. They are also ignored for Good Spirits.  “Unseen Killer” means that the target team cannot use mistaken target and that if a hit is scored against an Infantry, Gun, or Unarmoured Tank team, then they are pinned.  Also note that if they hit a team that is dug in, and that target team fails their save, it’s a 4+ firepower roll – much better than a trying for a six!

Now if we look at what formations are in the German section of the Eastern Front Compilation book and Command Card packs, we can see what we can maximize from what we get in the box. The most obvious formation is the Grenadier Company, but secondary options are the Fast Company and Armoured Car Company, and we will look at options for 100pts. 

Looking at the Grenadier Company, let us look at what units comprise this formation:

Building a Mid-War Eastern Front Force based on the Iron Cross Starter Set

Based on the formation and what we get in the box, we can use all the contents of the box and one additional box!

Building a Mid-War Eastern Front Force based on the Iron Cross Starter Set

There are four platoons for the formation break and the 10.5cm guns gives you an artillery template.  The 5cm Anti-tank guns help your infantry defend against light and medium armour.  The 8.8cm guns give you AT14 to take on any heavy tanks such as the KVs and the force is rounded out by Panzer IIIs to provide support and can screen your infantry in Assaults.  The sniper gives you options to help thin out the enemy infantry before assaulting.  I have put the HMGs in the platoons to make the platoons bigger and give each platoon more firepower – especially in defence.  We could change this out to have them altogether in a separate single platoon which gives you one more for the formation break and allow you to have a unit with stationary ROF 24!  Useful in defence or to support an assault as it goes in!

To buy this army you need only to purchase the following for $250.00:

1 x GEAB23 Iron Cross Grenadier Company Starter Force

 110.00

1 x GBX105 Panzer III Tank Platoon

 50.00

1 x FW257 Eastern Front Compilation Book

 60.00

1 x FW257-GCB German Eastern Front Unit & Command Cards

 30.00

TOTAL:

$250.00


We can change this up by keeping the core formation but changing out the support options to provide some more oomph and flavour by introducing some more high-end AT in the form of self-propelled guns, including one of the new units – the Bunker Flak!

Building a Mid-War Eastern Front Force based on the Iron Cross Starter Set

We now have AT14 and AT17 options to take on anything.  These are in units of one, so will be brittle but the best armour is Careful, Long Range, and In Cover.  Provides some flavour for your force and whilst you opponent is focused on these, your infantry can focus on the heavy lifting!

To buy this army you need only to purchase the following for $254.00:

1 x GEAB23 Iron Cross Grenadier Company Starter Force

 110.00

1 x GBX127 Ferdinand Tank-Hunter Platoon

 27.00

1 x GBX187 8.8cm Bunkerflak Tank-Hunter Platoon

 27.00

1 x FW257 Eastern Front Compilation Book

 60.00

1 x FW257-GCB German Eastern Front Unit & Command Cards

 30.00

TOTAL:

$254.00


Next up is the Fast Company (found in the command cards).  Let us look at what units comprise this formation:

  • 1 Fast Company HQ
  • 1-3 Grenadier Platoon
  • 1 Sd Kfz 221 & 222 Light Scout Troop
  • 1-2 3.7cm Tank-Hunter Platoon
  • 0-1 7.5cm Infantry Gun Platoon
  • 0-1 5cm Tank-Hunter Platoon or 7.5cm Tank Hunter Platoon

Based on the formation and what we get in the starter box, we can use most of the contents of the box and a few extra boxes!

Building a Mid-War Eastern Front Force based on the Iron Cross Starter Set

Six units now for the formation break.  Two units in the formation of anti-tank guns.  One artillery template.  Armoured Cars for Spearhead.  Marders for mobile high end AT work to complement your anti-tank guns.  8.8cm gun team to snipe heavy armour.  Can defend both objectives with infantry and anti-tank guns, and when on the attack, move the 5cm guns up using the Soft Skin Transport Command Card. 

 

To buy this army you need only to purchase the following for $298.50:

1 x GEAB23 Iron Cross Grenadier Company Starter Force

 110.00

1 x GBX112 Sd Kfz 221/222 Light Scout Troop

 34.50

1 x GBX110 Marder Tank-Hunter Platoon

 47.00

1 x GBX114 3.7cm Tank-Hunter Platoon

 37.00

1 x FW257 Eastern Front Compilation Book

 60.00

1 x FW257-GCB German Eastern Front Unit & Command Cards

 30.00

TOTAL:

$318.50

To provide some more AT14 and some additional flavour we can change out the Marders and 8.8cm gun team for two Bunker Flak platoons and add a captured KV-1 to provide your infantry with some support for your assaults as per this list:

 

Building a Mid-War Eastern Front Force based on the Iron Cross Starter Set

To buy this army you need only to purchase the following for $308.50:

1 x GEAB23 Iron Cross Grenadier Company Starter Force

 110.00

1 x GBX112 Sd Kfz 221/222 Light Scout Troop

 34.50

1 x GBX114 3.7cm Tank-Hunter Platoon

 37.00

1 x GBX187 8.8cm Bunkerflak Tank-Hunter Platoon

 27.00

1 x WOT17 – KV-1s

 10.00

1 x FW257 Eastern Front Compilation Book

 60.00

1 x FW257-GCB German Eastern Front Unit & Command Cards

 30.00

TOTAL: 

$308.50


 

To round out the options we are looking at, lets look at the Armoured Car Company Command Card Formation.  Let us look at what units comprise this formation:

  • 1 Armoured Car Company HQ
  • 2-8 Sd Kfz 221 & 222 Light Scout Troop
  • 1-3 Sd Kfz 231 Heavy Scout Troop
  • 0-1 Panzergrenadier Platoon
  • 0-1 5cm Tank-Hunter Platoon

Based on the formation and what we get in the starter box, we can use most of the contents of the box and a few extra boxes to round it out!

Building a Mid-War Eastern Front Force based on the Iron Cross Starter Set

Seven units for the formation break.  The Panzergrenadiers and 5cm guns to anchor the formation.  Four platoons of armoured cars that can provide spearhead.  A grenadier platoon to give you a second platoon of infantry so both objectives can be defended if required, supported by a mix of anti-tank options including mobile Marders, Ferdinand and the 8.8cm gun team.  Rounded out by one artillery template.  The Ferdinand can snipe with its AT17 but also provide a distraction for you opponent to focus on.

To buy this army you need only to purchase the following for $397.00:

1 x GEAB23 Iron Cross Grenadier Company Starter Force

  110.00

1 x GBX92 Sd Kfz 221/222 Light Scout Troop

    41.50

1 x GBX110 Marder Tank-Hunter Platoon

    47.00

1 x GBX112 Sd Kfz 221/222 Light Scout Troop

    34.50

1 x GBX113 Sd Kfz 231 Heavy Scout Troop

    47.00

1 x GBX127 Ferdinand Tank-Hunter Platoon

    27.00

1 x FW257 Eastern Front Compilation Book

    60.00

1 x FW257-GCB German Eastern Front Unit & Command Cards

    30.00

TOTAL

$397.00

We can change this up by replacing the Ferdinand and Marder’s with Hornisse’s, more Armoured Cars and giving the infantry Panzer-knackers.  

Building a Mid-War Eastern Front Force based on the Iron Cross Starter Set

Nine units for the formation break now!  Six units now of armoured cars.  Hornisse’s provide the mobile long range AT17 and I feel go better with this lightly armoured force.

 

To buy this army you need only to purchase the following for $432.00:

 

1 x GEAB23 Iron Cross Grenadier Company Starter Force

 110.00

1 x GBX92 Sd Kfz 221/222 Light Scout Troop

 41.50

3 x GBX112 Sd Kfz 221/222 Light Scout Troop

 103.50

1 x GBX113 Sd Kfz 231 Heavy Scout Troop

 47.00

1 x GBX182 Hornisse Tank-Hunter Platoon

 40.00

1 x FW257 Eastern Front Compilation Book

 60.00

1 x FW257-GCB German Eastern Front Unit & Command Cards

 30.00

TOTAL

$432.00

 

There you have it – some options to ponder for getting started with different formations with the new Iron Cross Grenadier Company Army Deal box.  Enjoy!
~John