French Mountain Infantry Alpine Troop (Khaki Uniform Variant) WW2 – Custom Printed Brick Block Figure

this picture showcases a highly detailed custom building block figure.

This specific figure represents a member of the elite French mountain troops, the Chasseurs Alpins, outfitted in their modernized World War II-era combat fatigues.

Here is the detailed English description, specific character identification, and historical background for this unique military figure.

Character Identification: The Modernized “Blue Devil”

• Specific Name: WW2 French Mountain Infantryman / Chasseur Alpin (Khaki Field Uniform)

• Role: Elite light infantry specialized in mountain warfare, skiing, and operating in treacherous, high-altitude alpine terrain.

Detailed Visual Breakdown

• Headgear (The Iconic “Tarte“): Despite the modernized uniform, this figure proudly wears the traditional, oversized dark blue beret known affectionately in the French military as the “tarte” (pie). It features the printed white hunting horn (cor de chasse), the universal symbol of French light infantry and Chasseur units.

• Facial Features: The figure features striking bright blue eyes and a resolute, clean-shaven expression, capturing the focused look of a highly trained alpine soldier.

• Upper Body Uniform (Khaki Fatigues): * Unlike the traditional World War I-era dark blue tunics, this figure is dressed in the modernized khaki field tunic, representing the standard combat color adopted by the French Army heading into World War II.

  • Webbing & Gear: He wears highly detailed, printed brown leather Y-straps, a waist belt, and multiple ammunition pouches spread across his chest. A grey canvas strap crosses his torso diagonally.

• Side and Back Profiles: * The 360-degree printing reveals a khaki canvas backpack printed on his rear torso.

  • On his left hip (visible in the “Side-Left” view), he carries a printed grey/white canvas musette bag (haversack), essential for carrying daily field rations and personal gear.

• Lower Body:

  • He wears matching khaki military trousers.

  • His lower legs are tightly wrapped in khaki puttees (leg wraps) that tuck into brown leather mountain boots, providing critical ankle support for climbing and hiking in rocky terrain.

• Weapon Accessory: The figure is equipped with a plastic accessory representing a wooden-stocked, bolt-action military rifle (closely resembling the French MAS-36, the primary infantry rifle of the French forces in 1940).

Historical Background: The Khaki Chasseurs

This figure perfectly captures the transitional aesthetic of the French Army during the Phoney War and the Battle of France (1939–1940).

• Evolution of the Uniform: The Chasseurs Alpins earned their legendary nickname, Les Diables Bleus (The Blue Devils), during World War I due to their all-blue uniforms and fierce fighting spirit. However, by the late 1930s, the French military realized that dark blue was poor camouflage for modern warfare. They transitioned their combat fatigues to a more practical khaki/mustard color.

• The Pride of the “Tarte”: While they adopted the new khaki uniforms for practicality, the Chasseurs Alpins fiercely refused to give up their oversized blue berets. The “tarte” remained their most prized piece of uniform, instantly distinguishing them as elite mountain troops from regular line infantry who wore standard helmets or garrison caps.

• The Alpine Defense (1940): In June 1940, as the main French army collapsed in the north, these elite mountain troops proved their worth in the southeast. Fighting in this exact khaki gear and blue beret combination, the Chasseurs Alpins brilliantly defended the mountainous Alpine Line, effectively halting the Italian invasion forces until the political armistice forced them to stand down.