If you’ve been following the hype around Konflikt ‘47, you already know the pre-orders are blazing through the roof.
This alternate history wargame has captured the imaginations of tactical gamers everywhere, and the latest reveals about the Fireflies have us buzzing. These airborne jump infantry are the cream of the crop in American forces, combining cutting-edge Rift-tech with high-risk, high-reward battlefield tactics. For anyone who’s ever wanted to feel like a paratrooper from the future, the Fireflies are your dream come true. Let’s break down the history, tech, and tabletop impact of these elite troops.
The Origins of Flight: Project Firefly
Back in the mid-1940s, both the Axis and the US stumbled onto Rift-tech breakthroughs almost simultaneously. The Americans weren’t just tinkering—they were laser-focused on personal flight. Project Firefly started with the ambitious goal of giving soldiers full-body weightlessness, letting them leap across the battlefield under their own power. The problem? Early tests were brutal. Soldiers fell from dangerous heights, and some even experienced “gravitic inversion,” which was a fancy way of saying things went horribly wrong.
The real breakthrough came when the project ditched full-body fields for a small, rearward-facing gravity projector. This device gave soldiers a massive boost off the ground, controlled ascent and descent, and could carry enough tech to make a difference without being overly cumbersome. By late 1945, prototypes had winglets for steering, and the system stabilized into a large backpack rig controlled by a simple hand squeeze. This was the tech that would eventually turn ordinary airborne troops into the elite Fireflies.
Becoming the Fireflies
Once production ramped up, training began for the 101st and 82nd Airborne, though it was brutal. Only the fittest, bravest, and smartest soldiers made it through the program. By 1946, the first units were operational and had already earned their nickname—the Fireflies—straight out of the original development project.
Their first operations were small-scale recon and strike missions, often behind enemy lines. As their field experience grew, the M1X2 submachine gun was adopted, giving them compact, lethal firepower that replaced older Thompsons. The Fireflies proved particularly effective when surprise was on their side, though they still needed ground support to hold objectives. By 1947, the 108th Division was spearheading major operations, including the joint US-Commonwealth assault on Stuttgart, codenamed Operation Valentine.
Fireflies on the Tabletop
Warlord Games has done an incredible job translating this lore into miniatures. The new plastic sprue allows you to pose your Fireflies in flight or on the ground, decked out in M46 reinforced jump uniforms. Head options include signature M5 oxygen masks or bare heads, perfect for customizing your squad’s personality. They’re packed with weapons: M1X2 submachine guns, flamethrowers, Browning Automatic Rifles, and ATRD anti-tank launchers. Extra pouches and gear make them ready for long operations, giving your tabletop squad a tactical edge.
In-game, the Fireflies bring Flight to the table, letting them soar over terrain and unleash hit-and-run tactics. They can use Regroup in Hell!, moving after shooting or assaulting to avoid counterattacks. But caution is key: if their Rift die is exhausted, they lose Flight and are vulnerable. Their 5+ Damage Value makes them respectable veterans, but getting caught on the ground without cover can be deadly.
Summary
The Fireflies are a perfect blend of narrative excitement and tabletop efficiency. Their lore is rich, from experimental Rift-tech to elite training programs, giving players plenty of flavor for campaign play. On the tabletop, they’re dynamic, versatile, and rewarding to master, offering new ways to think about movement and positioning. Whether you’re dropping them behind enemy lines or unleashing them en masse with Linebacker support, these troops feel alive, lethal, and heroic.
Konflikt ‘47 has made it clear: Fireflies are not just units—they’re legends. If you want a squad that combines high-risk maneuvers, elite skill, and satisfying mechanical depth, the Fireflies are waiting for you. Strap in, hit the skies, and let the battlefield light up with American ingenuity.
And remember, Frontline Gaming sells gaming products at a discount, every day in their webcart!
