The Battle of the Bulge, also known as the Ardennes Counteroffensive, was a major German offensive campaign launched through the densely forested Ardennes region of Wallonia in Belgium during World War II. It took place from December 16, 1944, to January 25, 1945. This surprise attack aimed to split the Allied forces, capture the vital Belgian port of Antwerp, and encircle and destroy four Allied armies.
The battle began with a massive German artillery barrage, followed by a spearhead of tanks and infantry that created a "bulge" in the Allied front lines. The harsh winter conditions and the surprise element initially gave the Germans an advantage. However, fierce resistance from American forces, including the famous defense of Bastogne by the 101st Airborne Division, slowed their advance.
The Allies eventually regrouped and launched a counteroffensive, aided by improved weather that allowed air support. By late January 1945, the German forces were pushed back to their original positions. The battle was one of the largest and bloodiest fought by the United States during World War II, resulting in significant casualties on both sides. It marked the last major Nazi offensive against the Allies on the Western Front and hastened the end of the war in Europe.
Welcome to the Third Edition of Bolt Action, the world’s greatest World War II wargame! This starter set is the best way to start your Bolt Action journey, containing everything you need to jump right into the action!
Alongside an A5 softback rulebook containing all the rules you’ll need to play fast-paced, fun games of Bolt Action, you’ll also find enough incredibly detailed plastic miniatures to get you started on your hobby journey and playing games in no time at all. Take command of the hard-bitten German Fallschirmjäger paratroopers, or the dogged and determined US Army infantry as the two sides clash in the frozen forests of the Battle of the Bulge. These miniatures are the perfect starting point for a Bolt Action collection themed around winter warfare, bundled up in cold-weather gear and armed with a wide variety of weapons, and are a brilliant opportunity for new and veteran hobbyists alike!
It’s not just infantry, either! Inside this box, you’ll also find a plastic American M8 armoured car kit, which can also be assembled as the M20 variant – the perfect reinforcement for the US troops as the German veterans attack – as well as a plastic ruined farmhouse for your troops to take cover in.
The Battle of the Bulge starter set nets you everything you need to start playing Bolt Action: Third Edition – simply assemble your models, and let battle commence! Once you’ve played your first games using the included introductory booklet, you can begin expanding your collection, and dive headfirst into the awesome world of World War II wargaming!
Models supplied unassembled and unpainted