Flames of War: Rifle Platoon - British infantry in 1940. BATTLE FRONT BBX85

Flames of War: British Rifle Platoon Product Contents

The British Rifle Platoon for Flames of War represents the infantry of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) during the 1940 Campaign for France. This box set allows you to bolster your British forces with rifle teams, support weapons, and command elements to recreate the desperate battles of the early years of World War II.

When the BEF arrived in France, a severe shortage of experienced junior officers meant that many platoons were led by NCOs—often sergeants—instead of commissioned officers. Although officer numbers gradually improved, NCOs continued to play a vital leadership role in front-line infantry units.

British Infantry and Support Small Arms

Standard British rifle sections were comprised of eight men: a corporal, a Bren gunner, and six riflemen. Their firepower combined the venerable Lee-Enfield Mk III bolt-action rifle with the newly issued Bren light machine gun, which had largely replaced the World War I-era Lewis gun, supplemented by specialized weapons like the 2-inch light mortar and the Boys anti-tank rifle.

This balanced mix of line infantry and organic support weapons accurately reflects the British units that fought across France and Belgium, including the fierce rearguard actions during the retreat to Dunkirk.

Box Contents

• 2 Formation Command & Unit Leader teams
• 6 Rifle/MG teams
• 1 Boys Anti-tank Rifle team
• 1 2-inch Mortar team
• 1 3-inch Mortar team
• 2 Heavy Machine Gun (HMG) teams

Options to Expand Support Weapons

By combining the 3-inch mortar teams and heavy machine gun teams from two British Rifle Platoon box sets, you can field a dedicated Heavy Machine Gun Platoon and a Mortar Section as outlined by the manufacturer. This option provides extra flexibility to adapt your force organization to match your game scenarios.

Assembly and Painting

The miniatures are supplied unassembled and unpainted. They require assembly and painting before taking the field in your Flames of War matches. You can complete your project using British military paints, brushes, and modeling tools.

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To expand your British Flames of War army, pair this platoon with field artillery batteries, armored fighting vehicles, and other support elements from the 1940 French campaign. Modeling paints, brushes, and tools will also help you assemble and detail your miniatures to represent British forces during early-war engagements.

Reinforce your army with the British Rifle Platoon for Flames of War, adding essential infantry and heavy support weapons to recreate the BEF's engagements in France and Belgium. A key building block for expanding your force lists and staging battles set in the opening years of World War II!