The Axis Faction in Konflikt ’47

In January 1944, German morale was at an all-time low. Military defeats against the Russian juggernaut were piling up inexorably. It was clear that in the East, the Soviets would eventually flatten everything in their path. In the West, the British and Americans were actively amassing troops in Great Britain. This massive military build-up led high-ranking generals to anticipate an imminent landing along the Atlantic Wall. At the same time, B-17 bombers were conducting nearly daily air raids over the occupied territories. These destructive strikes targeted not only France and Belgium, but also reached deep into the heart of the Ruhr. Consequently, these constant bombardments were hard for civilians to bear and severely disrupted the Reich’s war economy.

On March 12, 1944, everything changed. The atomic explosion over Dresden stamped a radioactive seal on the thousand-year Reich. Citizens’ already waning morale collapsed completely.

The “Coup d’État”!

A brutal coup d’état ousted the Nazis from power, and the Grünes Gewölbe (Green Vault) immediately took control of the nation.

Remaining Waffen-SS units were disbanded, their personnel reassigned to other branches, and their tank resources redistributed more rationally. At this stage of the conflict, the Axis goal shifted toward a hard-line defense of the Reich’s heartland.

Thanks to this defensive strategy, air raids became rarer over the months. The Red Army was reduced to a muted threat east of the borders, though most citizens remained unaware of the real causes behind this apparent “calm.”

In reality, the Dresden atomic bomb opened a rift in reality, known simply as the Rift. The most talented and daring German scientists studied it, uncovering secrets previously unknown to humanity. By piercing the mysteries of reality’s very nature, they created new weaponry.

Dark biological secrets were finally exposed, revealing the terrifying extent of their secret experiments. Scientists had harnessed radioactive genetic mutations alongside the sinister manipulation of the human dying process. As a result, victims were transformed into reanimated corpses devoid of almost all free will.

In certain Axis zones, nameless horrors now roam the landscape: reanimated dead, hideous mutants, and half-mad scientists testing their discoveries on the living and the dead alike.

Special Axis Army Rules

As in Bolt Action, each nation has its own specific special rules that impact how a Konflikt ’47 battle plays out. These special rules offer interesting options backed by narrative justification.

Unsere Rettung (Our Salvation)

Allows you to reroll one Exhausted Rift Die result at the end of the turn. Operating on the principle that the Axis was the second nation to open a Rift, mastering it naturally became easier.

Hand of the Green Vault

Grants +1 Rift Mastery point for free to a chosen Platoon or Company Commander at the start of the game. Once again, supreme Rift mastery explains this Axis-specific choice.

Schwerefeld Mastery

A Veteran vehicle equipped with a Schwerefeld Projektor can start the game with a Rift die set to Surging. Axis scientists’ mastery over gravity made these weapons even more effective—the fruit of years of effort reflected in this rule.

Hardened Veterans

Veteran units and Powered Armour troops are immune to the -1 morale penalty if their NCO/squad leader is killed. This mirrors some of the German army’s dynamics from Bolt Action, making for an interesting transition into Konflikt ’47.

Buzz Saw

Another welcome legacy from Bolt Action regarding the German army: +1 shot for infantry and vehicle light/medium machine guns (LMG/MMG). This confirms that even in Konflikt ’47, the Germans haven’t lost sight of firepower and volume of fire.

New Rift Weapon Technologies Axis

Schwerefeld Projektors (Gravity Pulse Cannons)

The Axis now masters gravity, enabling them to design cannons that locally increase gravitational force. The weapon’s effect on military personnel is downright devastating. Targets suddenly weigh several times their own mass, causing irreversible damage to their muscles, bones, and heart. This intense gravitational crush instantly cuts off the victims’ breath. On vehicles, under the sudden surge of multiplied gravity, engines, tank hulls, and even incoming conventional fire are instantly warped or shattered.

Schienenkanone (Hyper-Velocity Rail Cannons for Heavy Tanks)

Driven by the search for powerful weapons, the Axis aimed to destroy heavily armored tanks. To achieve this, they explored magnetic rail propulsion, which led to the creation of hyper-velocity cannons. These advanced weapons can turn a tungsten warhead weighing just a few grams into a lethal anti-tank projectile. However, atmospheric friction at sea level severely limits their theoretical power. Furthermore, the massive amount of energy released generates terrible shockwaves and fiery blasts. This violent reaction inherently reduces the effective range of the projectiles. What will happen when these weapons are mounted on aircraft capable of flying where the atmosphere is far thinner—or directly in the vacuum of space?

Anti-Gravity Harnesses (Kontragravitation) for Flight

Gravity mastery allowed the Fallschirmjäger Falke (Falcon) Squad to use harnesses capable of drastically reducing a soldier’s mass. With a simple muscle impulse, troops can fly or perform incredible leaps as if moving on the Moon. The result? Ultra-mobile units able to hover briefly. Armed with assault rifles, these airborne troops are a nightmare for standard ground infantry and can launch devastating assaults from above!

Biological Manipulations & Occult Horrors

On the genetic manipulation front, German doctors have created nightmares worthy of the Master of Providence (Lovecraft). The A-bomb’s effects on Dresden were unforeseen by the USA, opening several fields of study covered further in this article.

Axis Army Composition

The Axis army differs little from the German army established during the early years of World War II. However, Rift technologies have still impacted military doctrines. Beyond Bolt Action, Konflikt ’47 introduces named heroes that modify your army lists—one of my favorite features in the game.

Command & Key Characters (HQ & Heroes)

• Hauptmann Heinrich Gross: Famous from the Siege of Stalingrad, Gross not only survived that brutal battle but earned the Knight’s Cross for bravery. Now enhanced by biological Rift Tech, this elite warrior takes command in the fiercest clashes. Moving across the battlefield at supernatural speed, he galvanizes his troops almost hypnotically, commanding absolute respect. He will lead his company into hell itself if required!
• ‘Der Erntemann’ Albrecht von Zögling: Having spent years before and during the war studying death’s effects on the body, the Rift gave him the opportunity to push his research beyond mortality. Thanks to his discoveries, fallen men return to combat in a more “powerful” form, entirely devoid of the fear of death. This mad scientist plays God and serves as the ultimate asset when leading hordes of undead against Axis enemies!
• Elite Officers: Elite Axis officers benefit from the latest innovations in combat armor. It is no longer uncommon to see an officer commanding his assault platoon clad in Stahltruppen power armor!

Infantry of the New Republic

Axis military doctrine has undergone a profound metamorphosis following the Green Vault’s complete takeover and the rise of the New Republic. Armed forces now base their power on a mix of restructured line infantry, power-armored shock troops, and Rift-born abominations, deploying a hierarchy of combatants as rigid as it is terrifying.

Basic Infantry

Volksgrenadiers

Formed from the dissolution of former Wehrmacht and SS units into the new Volksarmee, Volksgrenadier squads form the backbone of the Reich’s defense. Trained to hold stabilized borders under the Green Vault’s absolute authority, these battle-hardened soldiers fight with cold determination.

Shocktroopers

Formidable assault troops specializing in trench clearing and close-quarters combat. Packing heavy firepower, they are deployed to breach tactical chokepoints or recapture key positions at the tip of the spear.

Legio Aquila

The result of co-opting Axis allied forces after the front’s reorganization, the Legio Aquila brings together Italian contingents integrated into the Volksarmee chain of command. Embedded within general lines, these troops support defensive positions against enemy pushes.

Advanced Infantry

Schwertruppen

The Axis’s true “fire brigade,” Schwertruppen are heavy infantry protected by first-generation powered armor. Rushed to hot spots along the front line, these units withstand devastating fire while crushing enemy breakthroughs under a barrage of automatic weapons.

Italian Centurions

The transalpine equivalent of the Schwertruppen, Italian Centurions wear Grade 1 powered armor. They provide co-opted Italian contingents with elite armored shock capacity capable of mounting vigorous counter-offensives.

Specialized Troops & Rift Abominations

Stahltruppen

The pinnacle of mechanical and biological engineering, Stahltruppen are true titans clad in Grade 2 heavy powered armor. These augmented soldiers stride across the battlefield wielding StG 44Z rifles or light anti-tank cannons with total mechanical indifference to enemy fire.

Fallschirmjäger Falke

Harnessing gravity fields, these elite paratroopers wear anti-gravity harnesses (Kontragravitation). Able to leap over obstacles, hover briefly, and swoop down from the sky onto ground infantry, they launch lightning assaults with their assault rifles.

Totenkorps (Tireless Reanimated Soldiers)

Scientists initially feared these living dead wandering aimlessly through radioactive ruins. Soon, German ingenuity took over, studying the phenomenon for weeks. Der Erntemann himself supervised the research, using the Rift’s opening to bring his work on the dead to fruition.

Schreckwulfen

Genetic engineering research enabled mutations in handpicked soldiers, transforming them into half-man, half-wolf creatures. These unnatural, unethically produced experiments resulted in walking nightmares. Werewolf units operate ahead of major Axis battles to break enemy lines and spread terror. Having lost their minds, these men often die consumed by rage, completely lacking self-preservation.

Nachtjäger

Allied and Soviet soldiers view these nightmarish nocturnal creatures as true demons from hell. They feature grotesque membranous wings, razor-sharp talons, and slicing fangs. Particularly deadly during night operations, Nachtjäger leverage heightened senses and stealth to pounce on prey, leaving no chance of survival. Unlike other Axis horrors, they display high intelligence and communicate among themselves. Dog tags and personal items frequently found on their corpses suggest a terrifying truth: these winged nightmares keep trophies from victims—or retain intact memories of their former human lives.

Nachtalben

The result of experiments exposing human test subjects to raw Rift energy, the Nachtalben underwent grotesque physical mutations while retaining full cognitive functions. Horrifyingly, their strict adherence to military discipline suggests they were likely volunteer soldiers. These combatants possess supernatural speed and extraordinary reflexes. They handle weapons and maneuver like standard infantry while mastering temporary metamorphosis. Specialized in infiltration and night ambushes, these elite troops excel at disrupting enemy lines and crossing harsh terrain with unsettling ease.

Artillery Support

Conventional support, including artillery, mortars, and medium or heavy machine guns, remains widely present on the battlefield. These traditional units retain their original combat role despite the groundbreaking discoveries of Rift technology. However, advanced gravity-based artillery has also made its appearance on the front lines. The famous Schwerefeld Projektor is now deployed defensively along Axis borders to deter any invader from entering the territory.

Walkers

For walkers, the new edition of Konflikt ’47 offers all-plastic kits that are simple to assemble and paint. Other vehicles combine a standard plastic model kit with high-density resin components, requiring superglue for assembly.

• PZ-KPLFL. 11 Vogelspinne: One of the earliest vehicles inspired by Rift Tech, it saw action during the Ardennes campaign in mid-winter. Its all-terrain reconnaissance capabilities earned praise from High Command.
• SD.KFZ. 501/1 Nachtzehrer: The Axis expanded this concept to support undead legions. Its multi-legged design grants true all-terrain mobility to this heavy machine.
• PANZER IV AUSF X: The hull of the venerable Panzer IV was fitted with six heavy legs and a gravity projector cannon. This simple adaptation allows older vehicles to benefit from Rift tech.

While listing every Rift-enabled vehicle would take too long, those in the new edition remain the fastest and easiest to build.

Tanks and Transports

Tanks from Bolt Action remain available—especially late-war models. Some, such as the Tiger I & II, retain a prime spot in the Axis arsenal, serving as invaluable assets with their high-powered anti-tank guns.

Iconic German troop transports remain fully relevant, such as the SD.KFZ 251 Hanomag with its 12-man capacity. For German Bolt Action players, this is an ideal opportunity: convert vehicles for Konflikt ’47 with a unique dieselpunk twist, or keep them intact to run seamlessly across both games.

Special Focus: “Totenrotte” Thematic Platoon

The major addition to the Axis supplement released in June 2024 is a new platoon tailored specifically to the Axis and undead forces, serving as an alternative to the standard platoon in the rulebook.

To run this option effectively, a Totenkorps Starter Set is recommended. It provides everything needed to kickstart an undead army, supported and directed by two Nachtzehrer walkers.

In terms of special rules, the undead’s limited intelligence is mitigated by officers directing their advance toward the enemy—offering a fresh, tactical twist compared to standard infantry play. Furthermore, undead units no longer become exhausted when staying close to command officers.

Conclusion

You can find the full army builder document on the Warlord Games app or via the link below the image.

Playing the Axis opens up a whole new tactical approach to the battlefield, whether you are a Bolt Action veteran or jumping in from another game system. Rift weapons add depth to game mechanics; their fluctuating power levels throughout a match will keep you on the edge of your seat.

The horror aesthetic—undead, flying nightmare creatures, mutants, and werewolves—delivers an engaging, highly pulp alternative World War II experience.

At the launch of Konflikt ’47, I initially thought the ties between Bolt Action and Konflikt ’47 were purely logical. However, after a year of development, the game has clearly forged its own path. While its core mechanics remain close to Bolt Action (and often elevate them), Konflikt ’47 enjoys a distinct, well-crafted identity with a coherent universe that works seamlessly.

A few months ago, I called it “the rowdy child of Bolt Action.” Given the tactical options now available to Axis players, I’d say it has matured into Bolt Action’s cool older brother. It provides a refreshing alternative that moves away from historical constraints while breathing new life into tabletop wargaming with a highly original alternate history theme.