American Spearhead Force

“Sir, this is Patton talking. The last fourteen days have been straight hell. Rain, snow, more rain, more snow—and I’m beginning to wonder what’s going on in your headquarters. Whose side are you on anyway?… Give me four clear days so that my planes can fly, so that my fighter-bombers can bomb and strafe, so that my reconnaissance may pick out targets for my magnificent artillery. Give me four days of sunshine to dry this blasted mud, so that my tanks roll, so that ammunition and rations may be taken to my hungry, ill-equipped infantry. I need these four days to send von Rundstedt and his godless army to their Valhalla. I am sick of this unnecessary butchery of American youth, and in exchange for four days of fighting weather, I will deliver You enough Krauts to keep Your bookkeepers months behind in their work. Amen.”

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American Spearhead Force includes:

• One Plastic M4 Jumbo (75mm)  Jumbo (76mm) Tank
• Four Plastic Easy Eight (76mm) Tanks
• Two Plastic M26 Pershing (90mm) Tanks 
• Four Plastic M24 Chaffee (75mm) Tanks 
• Three Plastic M4 Sherman (Calliope) Launchers
• Two Plastic M8 Greyhound (37mm) Armoured Cars 
• Two Jeep (MG) or Jeep (60mm) 
• One Parachute Rifle Platoon
• Complete A5 Flames Of War rulebook
• One US "Start Here" Guide
• Two Decal Sheets
• Eleven Unit cards.

The M4A3E8, better known as the Easy Eight, marked the pinnacle in the Sherman design. Essentially the same as the M4 76mm Sherman (late), the Easy Eight model introduced a new track and suspension system. The Horizontal Volute Suspension System (HVSS, for short) made it much easier to replace damaged road wheels and a new wide track was developed to improve the tank’s off-road performance.

Fears of having to break through the German Siegfried Line led to the development of the M4A3E2 assault tank. The late M4A3 chassis was used with extra armour added all around. Its sheer bulk led to the nickname: “Jumbo”. The Jumbo had a larger turret; the massive 7”/18cm thick mantlet is particularly characteristic of the Jumbo.

To provide the tank battalion with extra firepower when supporting infantry, five T34 Calliope rocket launcher field kits were issued and installed on one of the battalion’s platoons. The T34 Calliope rocket launcher was attached to the M4 Sherman turret and elevation was raised and lowered with the main gun, but because of this attachment the gun could not be used while the Calliope was attached.

The addition of the M24 Chaffee light tank to the US arsenal greatly enhanced the utility of the light tank company. It had greater mobility than the M5 Stuart, combined with a more powerful 75mm gun, allowing it to serve in its roles to provide reconnaissance, protection of flanks, covering force, as well as direct assault or support by fire.

The T26/M26 Pershing was the outcome of a series of prototype designs for replacing the M4 Sherman. The M26 was a 42-tonne vehicle, armed with an M3 90mm L/50 gun, the same that equipped the M36 Tank Destroyer. The new tank sported sloped 4” (102mm) cast front armour, increasing the protection of its crew compared to earlier American tanks. Initially issued to the 3rd and 9th Armored Divisions, by the end of the war, 310 M26 Pershings had arrived in Europe with 200 issued to units (2nd, 5th and11th Armored Divisions).

Most cavalry patrols have a single M8 Greyhound armoured car backed by a pair of jeeps. While the jeeps scout out targets, the M8 Greyhound covers them. A jeep can rely on its speed to get in, have a look, and make it back safely.

Cavalry patrols operate over large areas of ground, constantly reporting on German positions, testing and securing bridges, and making contact with local resistance groups. The information collected by these patrols is transmitted using the cavalry’s powerful radios to help guide the tanks, 'Armored Doughs', and infantry into the best positions for attack.

Already veterans of the Normandy and Market Garden campaigns, the paratroopers of the 501st, 502nd, and 506th Parachute Infantry Regiments are well used to fighting while surrounded. A Bastogne Parachute Rifle Company has some of the most experienced troops in the US Army. They have excellent motivation, making them very reliable, and their superior training gives them flexibility in the field to ensure victory.

Looking for more information on how to build and paint your Flames Of War models? Then check out our dedicated hobby page.

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