Bolt Action news is looking very French this week.
However, this is not just another book announcement. France is getting rules, plastics, characters, and a proper army launch. For Third Edition players, that means real momentum for an underrated force. This is a sumamry of the community post found here.
Armies of France Brings Three Lists and New Plastic Support
Armies of France is now on pre-order, and it gives French forces their first full Bolt Action book. That is a big deal, because France often gets reduced to 1940 jokes by players who forget how interesting these armies can be. The new book covers three army lists: the 1939-40 French army, the Vichy Armistice Army, and Free French forces. Therefore, players can build everything from desperate early-war defenders to North African Free French fighters. The book also includes background material, artwork, and photography to help shape collections and painting plans. However, the French Resistance is only lightly represented here. The book includes a couple of Resistance units for the Free French list, but Warlord notes that proper irregular Resistance forces need more room.
Thankfully, an expanded Partisan army list is coming later, which sounds like a much better home for ambushes, sabotage, and local fighters. Every army book also gets a special miniature, and this one chooses Marie-Pierre Kœnig. Charles de Gaulle was considered, especially because of his armored role in 1940. However, Kœnig makes excellent sense, since he became legendary for commanding the Free French defense at Bir Hakeim in 1942. His brigade held off five enemy divisions for more than two weeks, which is exactly the kind of stubborn tabletop energy French players need. The model shows him moving under fire, and he should work nicely as a Platoon or Company Commander.
Meanwhile, the miniatures support is very strong. The French Foreign Legion infantry platoon finally brings these iconic troops to plastic, wearing British-supplied kit, carrying French weapons, and sporting that famous kepi blanc. Also, the new artillery kit adds the classic French 75 light howitzer with three wheel options.
Better yet, the heavy weapons sprue includes a Hotchkiss M1914 medium machine gun, medium mortar, and two light mortar options. These crews work with the existing French infantry plastics and the new Foreign Legion kit.
Finally, Hold the Line! offers an all-plastic starter army built around a 1939-40 defensive force with infantry and support weapons rather than vehicles.
Summary and Final Thoughts
Overall, this is excellent Bolt Action news for France fans. The book adds scope, while the plastics add practical collection support. However, the best part is that France now feels like a serious Third Edition launch force, not an afterthought.
