British Airborne WWII Allied Paratroopers – Bolt Action 28mm Figures
British Airborne WWII Allied Paratroopers
Bolt Action 28mm Figures – The Legendary Red Devils
🪂 "Utrinque Paratus" – Ready for Anything 🪂
The night sky over Normandy was illuminated by anti-aircraft fire as Flight Sergeant James Cooper checked his parachute one final time. Around him, men of the 6th Airborne Division sat in grim silence as their Dakota transport plane shuddered under the impact of nearby flak bursts. Their maroon berets had been replaced by helmets for the jump, but the fierce pride they felt in their elite status remained.
Hours before the main seaborne landings were to begin on D-Day, these airborne troops would drop behind enemy lines with a critical mission – capture and hold the bridges over the Caen Canal and River Orne, preventing German reinforcements from reaching the beaches. As the green light came on, Cooper stood and moved toward the door. "Remember lads," he shouted above the roar of the engines, "the Germans call us 'Red Devils' for a reason!" With that, he leapt into the darkness, the first of many who would earn that fearsome reputation in the battles to come.
"What manner of men are these who wear the maroon beret? They are, firstly, all volunteers and are then toughened by hard physical training. As a result they have that infectious optimism and that offensive eagerness which comes from physical well-being. They have jumped from the air and by doing so have conquered fear."
The Legendary Red Devils ⭐
Command your own unit of elite British Airborne troops with this comprehensive boxed set. Known as the "Red Devils" by the Germans for their distinctive maroon berets and exceptional fighting spirit, the British Parachute Division earned a valorous reputation with unprecedented speed during World War II.
This set contains 30 highly detailed plastic figures that can be assembled as either British or Polish Airborne forces. Although comparatively lightly armed, these elite paratroopers were trained to fight against overwhelming odds, often behind enemy lines, and would not hesitate to engage in hand-to-hand combat when necessary.
Whether dropped from Dakota aircraft, delivered by Horsa glider, or deployed as front-line shock troops, the British Airborne proved to be a formidable fighting force. This versatile kit allows you to recreate historically accurate units for iconic operations such as the assault on Pegasus Bridge, the heroic stand at Arnhem during Operation Market Garden, or the daring Rhine crossing during Operation Varsity.
✨ Key Features:
- Elite Troops - 30 highly detailed plastic figures representing Britain's airborne elite
- Multinational Options - Build either British or Polish Airborne forces
- Weapon Variety - Extensive selection of historically accurate weapons and equipment
- Command Options - Components to create specialized squad leaders and officers
- Authentic Details - Distinctive uniform elements including the famous berets
- Historical Accuracy - Perfect for recreating famous airborne operations
📦 Box Contents
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Infantry Figures | 30 highly detailed plastic British/Polish Airborne miniatures |
| Weapons | Lee Enfield rifles, Mk V Sten Guns, Bren gun LMGs, scoped Lee Enfield rifles, PIATs, Webley pistols, Mills Bomb hand grenades |
| Optional Parts | Multiple head variants, equipment options, and poses |
| Command Options | Components to build officers and NCOs |
| Bases | Round plastic bases (25mm diameter) |
| Decals | Full-color waterslide decal sheet |
| Documentation | Detailed construction leaflet |
British vs Polish Airborne - Choose Your Force
British Paratroopers
- Iconic Maroon Berets - The trademark headgear that earned them the "Red Devils" nickname
- Extensive Operations - Deployed in North Africa, Sicily, Normandy, Arnhem, and the Rhine crossing
- Divisional Structure - Organized into the 1st and 6th Airborne Divisions
- Glider Infantry - Included both paratroopers and glider-borne troops
- Special Equipment - Distinctive Denison smocks and specialized equipment for airborne operations
- Independent Spirit - Famous for their resourcefulness and ability to operate without support
Polish Paratroopers
- Distinctive Grey Berets - Larger grey berets distinguished them from their British counterparts
- 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade - Formed from Polish exiles in Britain
- Market Garden Veterans - Fought with distinction at Arnhem and Driel
- Exceptional Motivation - Driven by the desire to liberate their homeland
- British Equipment - Used the same weapons and gear as British airborne forces
- Post-War Legacy - Continued the proud Polish paratrooper tradition
Airborne Deployment Methods
Parachute Drop
The classic airborne insertion method, with troops jumping from C-47 Dakota aircraft. Paratroopers carried their weapons in special containers or strapped to their bodies, and often landed scattered across wide areas. This required them to be self-sufficient and able to fight in small groups until they could link up with their units.
Glider Assault
Horsa and Hamilcar gliders allowed for more troops and heavier equipment to be landed together. This method was used for precision assaults like the Pegasus Bridge operation. Glider troops were part of the airborne divisions but didn't receive jump training or pay.
Ground Operations
Once deployed, airborne forces often fought as elite light infantry for extended periods. During the Normandy campaign, paratroopers held their objectives for weeks before linking up with seaborne forces, fighting as front-line shock troops.
⏳ British Airborne Operations Timeline
Prime Minister Winston Churchill calls for the creation of a corps of at least 5,000 paratroopers. The British Airborne forces are established, with the first parachute battalion formed from volunteers across the armed forces.
Operation Biting (the Bruneval Raid) becomes the first successful British airborne operation, with paratroopers capturing key components of a German radar installation and bringing them back to Britain for analysis.
Airborne forces participate in Operation Torch, the Allied invasion of North Africa, with the 1st Parachute Brigade conducting the first battalion-sized combat drop of British paratroopers.
D-Day operations include the 6th Airborne Division's successful capture of Pegasus Bridge and other objectives east of the Normandy landing beaches, securing the Allied eastern flank against German counterattacks.
Operation Market Garden sees the 1st Airborne Division dropped at Arnhem in the Netherlands. Despite fierce resistance against overwhelming German forces, the "Red Devils" hold out for nine days in what becomes known as "a bridge too far."
Operation Varsity involves both the 6th British and 17th American Airborne Divisions in the largest single-day airborne drop in history, successfully crossing the Rhine River into Germany for the final push to victory.
🎮 Gaming Possibilities
These versatile airborne figures provide numerous gaming options for your Bolt Action battles:
🌉 Pegasus Bridge
Recreate the daring coup de main operation where glider-borne troops of the Ox and Bucks Light Infantry captured the vital Caen Canal bridge in the opening hours of D-Day.
🏠 Merville Battery
Lead a desperate assault on the heavily fortified Merville Gun Battery, where the 9th Parachute Battalion had to overcome numerous setbacks to neutralize the German guns threatening the D-Day beaches.
🌁 Arnhem Bridge
Command British paratroopers fighting to hold the "bridge too far" during Operation Market Garden, where the 1st Airborne Division fought against overwhelming odds for nine days.
🇵🇱 Polish Drop Zone
Field Polish paratroopers who fought at Driel during Market Garden, using the distinctive grey berets to create a historically accurate Polish force.
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