THE EAGLE HAS LANDED

Rummaging around in Johns library weve come across some good old classic war films of the type
that have inspired many a generation of future soldiers and gamers alike.

With the upcoming release of our new plastic Fallschirmjger and this being a Bank holiday weekend
what better film to inspire us than the 1976 World War II movie classic The Eagle Has Landed
Tom Mankiewiczs screenplay, based on the best-selling novel by Jack Higgins, The Eagle Has
Landed tells the fictional story of Hitlers attempted capture of Prime Minister Winston Churchill.
Inspired by the real life rescue of Hitlers ally Benito Mussolini by Otto Skorzeny, The Eagle Has
Landed sees a German strike force headed by Colonel Kurt Steiner (Michael Caine) land in England
on a covert mission to kidnap Prime Minister Winston Churchill and bring him to Berlin. What starts as
a seemingly impossible assignment, becomes soon more feasible, with Steiner and his men arriving
in England to face the very real possibility of success.

Oberst Kurt Steiner commanding the elite 12th parachute Regiment is chosen to undertake this
audacious mission. Posing as Colonel Miller in command of the Free Polish Parachute Battalion he
parachutes his 16 men into a small Norfolk hamlet of Studly Constable Churchills weekend retreat!
Unknown to Steiner and just down the road at Maple House is a company of US Rangers led by the
war eager Colonel Clancy Pitts.

MISSION
This battle takes place immediately after the discovery of the ruse, with Colonel Pitts disregarding any
tactical doctrine and racing headlong into the village. Oberst Steiner and his men, previously
disguised as Polish Paras and now in Fallshirmjager uniform, must hold out in the village centre long
enough for a secret passage in the church to be revealed and Steiner to escape, thus going on to
attempt the capture of Churchill himself!

DEPLOYMENT
NORTH

All German units are considered Hidden and in Ambush

Steiner and his batman start in the Pub, Squad A in the Church, Squad B in the House or either of the
shops (Secretly make a note before the battle starts), and Squad C in the Mill.
To start the battle Colonel Pitts moves on in his jeep from the North road whilst the second jeep enters
from the West road past the mill. 1st squad enters on foot through woods from the North West.
At the start of Turn 3 US reinforcements arrive unfortunately for Steiner this Captain looks like he
knows what hes about!
Captain Clark arrives from the North edge of the table with 2nd squad in a M3 half-track
3rd Squad enters from the North via the car park.

FORCES

German Fallschirmjager Veterans all armed with submachine guns

Oberst Steiner (Captain) plus 1 man
Squad A 1 NCO and 4 men
Squad B 1 NCO and 4 men
Squad C 1 NCO and 4 men

US Rangers Turn 1
Colonel Pitts (2nd Lieutenant) plus 1 man in Jeep
2nd Jeep 2 men
1st Squad 1 NCO and 4 men
US Rangers Turn 3
Captain Clark (Captain)
Bazooka team
2nd Squad 1 NCO and 4 men
3rd Squad 1 NCO and 4 men

SPECIAL RULES
Due to his ineptitude Colonel Pitts is classed as a second lieutenant and all US units are considered
regular until Captain Clark arrives later at the start of turn 3.
At the start of turn 3, with the arrival of Captain Clark, all US units become Veteran.

OBJECTIVE
Oberst Steiner must reach the Church then defend his position for at least 4 turns before a secret
passage is opened
Captain Clark, taking charge of the situation, must overwhelm the Fallschirmjger in the Church
before Steiner escapes!

VICTORY
Can the Germans hold? at the end of turn 4 roll 1 D6, on a 4+ the secret passage has been
revealed, Steiner escapes as his men fight to the last!
Should the battle continue then each time a German order dice is pulled from the bag from now on
roll a D6; on a 4+ the secret passage has been revealed, Steiner escapes as his men fight to the last!
Victory to the Germans.
If Steiner and his men are overwhelmed before they can escape then victory is the Rangers and
they can celebrate preventing Churchills capture as heroes!

Taking inspiration from books or films is a great way to prepare for painting or gaming and can even
spur you on in choosing the type of armies you may want to collect.

The complete Themed set for The Eagle Has Landed will include:
Oberst Steiner
3 metal Fallschirmjger with looted weapons
7 metal Polish Airbourne
6 new plastic Fallschirmjger
20 US infantry plastic
US Ranger decal sheet
US Officer
US Radio operator
2 US Jeeps with crew
US M3 plastic halftrack
Plastic Stone Walls
4Ground Grave Stones
Sarissa Watermill
Sarissa Old English Church

You may have already got some but not all the above sets, have no fear youll be able to get them
all separately in these three sets:
The Eagle Has Landed Infantry Set will include:
Oberst Steiner
3 metal Fallschirmjger with looted weapons
7 metal Polish Airbourne
6 new plastic Fallschirmjger
20 US infantry plastic
US Ranger decal sheet
US officer
US radio operator
The Eagle Has Landed Vehicle Set
2 US Jeeps with crew
US M3 plastic halftrack
The Eagle Has Landed Scenery Set
Plastic Stone Walls
4Ground Grave Stones
Sarissa Watermill
Sarissa Old English Church
For the ultimate collector, upgrade to a fully painted and kitted out church with the awesome 4Ground
complete Parish Church Collection: