British Starter Force: Comet Armoured Squadron

Lieutenant Lee poked his head out from the cupola of his new Comet tank. He could feel the powerful V12 Meteor engine rumble smoothly as the driver started it up. It had twice the power of the old Sherman, and it really showed.Around him, his troop were also powering up their tanks. The squadron commander came over the radio and ordered all troops to form up and advance. C Squadron and the riflemen had cleared the woods, and their squadron was taking the lead. He smiled grimly. They had only been in action with their new Comets for a few days, but already there was no way he would give them back. The Comet’s power, coupled with a lower profile than the Sherman and a new 77mm gun with nearly twice the punch of the old 75mm, made it an impressive beast.

As they came out of the woods into the open country beyond, the troop fanned out, forming the right flank of the squadron’s advance. They bounded forwards towards the next line of trees. Without warning, a muzzle flash from the tree line, then another, announced the next German ambush. Moments later, Corporal O’Connor came on the radio announcing that he’d been hit. Lee glanced over to see O’Connor’s tank slewing to the right, its left track unspooling. Switching to intercom, Lee shouted, ‘Driver halt!’. He peered through his binoculars, seeking the source of the muzzle flash. Two more muzzle flashes from the tree line and a swoosh near his head. One of the enemy tanks had him in its sights and almost had the range. From the corner of his eye he saw O’Connor’s crew bailing out. The other round had hit the stricken Comet.

He spotted one of the tanks behind the muzzle flash. ‘Target, Tank, 1 o’clock, Fire!’ he ordered. The turret swung to the left, there was a pause, then the gunner fired. Boom!

Smoke billowed over the trees - a hit! One down, one more to go. Two overlapping crashes told him that the troop’s other two tanks were engaging the other tank. More smoke told him of their success.

He waited a moment longer, scanning for any further threat. When none appeared, he radioed ‘Troop advance!’ Thankful that all of his tanks now had a gun that could take on Tigers and Panthers head on. It was so much easier than having to work around the flanks. ‘Finally’, he thought for the tenth time that day, ‘a tank that can go toe to toe with Jerry but also had speed when you needed it!’

THIS PRODUCT CONTAINS:

• 4x Comet (77mm) Tanks
• 2x Cromwell CS (95mm) Tanks
• 3x Chaffee (75mm) Tanks
• 4x Challenger (17pdr) Tanks
• 1x Kangaroo Rifle Platoon
• 3x Ram Kangaroo Transports
• 2x Archer (17pdr) Tank Destroyers
• 2x Sexton (25pdr) Self Propelled Guns
• Complete A5 Flames Of War rulebook
• 1x British "Start Here" Guide
• 2x Decal Sheets
• 10x Unit cards