German Ground Forces Mixed Squad WWII – Custom Printed Brick Block Figure

English Title & Specific Name

• Figure Set Title: WWII German Ground Forces Mixed Squad (3-Figure Set)

• Historical Era: World War II (1939–1945)

• Faction / Military Branch: German Luftwaffe (Field Divisions) & Waffen-SS

Detailed Character Identification, Description, and Historical Background

This custom building block set combines three distinct figures representing different branches and roles within the German ground forces during World War II. The set includes two Luftwaffe Field Division infantrymen flanking a Waffen-SS Mountain Division commanding officer.

Here is the detailed breakdown of the squad from left to right:

1. Luftwaffe Field Division Submachine Gunner (Left Figure)

• Character Identification: A squad leader or NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer) of the Luftwaffe Field Divisions (Luftwaffe-Feld-Divisionen), equipped with specialized submachine gun ammunition pouches.

• Detailed Description: This figure wears a flared-rim M35/M40 Stahlhelm (steel helmet) concealed beneath a cloth cover printed in the Luftwaffe splinter camouflage pattern (Splittertarnmuster). His primary garment is the Zeltbahn 31 camouflage poncho, worn over his standard field-grey tunic. Over the poncho, he wears printed black leather Y-straps and a combat belt. The defining feature is the angled three-cell canvas ammunition pouch on his left side, specifically designed to hold 32-round magazines for the MP40 submachine gun. A Model 24 stick grenade (Stielhandgranate) is tucked into his belt for close-quarters engagements. He wears standard field-grey trousers and black leather marching boots.

• Historical Background: When the Luftwaffe found itself with surplus ground personnel, Hermann Göring formed independent Luftwaffe Field Divisions rather than transferring his men to the regular Army. Because submachine guns like the MP40 provided crucial automatic fire, they were typically issued to squad leaders (Gruppenführer) to lead assaults. The versatile Zeltbahn poncho provided excellent weather protection and camouflage in the damp European theater.

2. “Prinz Eugen” Mountain Division Commander (Center Figure)

• Character Identification: A highly decorated commanding officer of the 7th SS Volunteer Mountain Division “Prinz Eugen”.

• Detailed Description: This central figure projects authority, wearing a dark field-grey Officer’s Visor Cap (Schirmmütze) detailed with silver piping, the national eagle, and the distinctive Totenkopf (Death’s Head) insignia. He is outfitted in a tailored Feldgrau officer’s tunic. His collar uniquely features the Odal rune on the right tab, which replaces the standard SS lightning bolts. He is heavily decorated, wearing the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross around his neck and the Iron Cross 1st Class on his left breast. Contrasting his formal tunic, he wears rugged Waffen-SS camouflage combat trousers tucked into tall, black leather combat boots.

• Historical Background: Formed in 1942, the “Prinz Eugen” division was an anti-partisan mountain unit comprised largely of ethnic Germans from the Balkans. They were tasked with brutal counter-insurgency operations against Yugoslav partisans in incredibly harsh, mountainous terrain. The use of the Odal rune collar tab immediately distinguishes this officer as a member of this specific, specialized division.

3. Luftwaffe Field Division Standard Rifleman (Right Figure)

• Character Identification: A standard frontline infantryman of the Luftwaffe Field Divisions, equipped for a bolt-action rifle.

• Detailed Description: Similar in uniform to the submachine gunner, this figure wears the M35/M40 Stahlhelm with a splinter camouflage cover and the draped Zeltbahn 31 camouflage poncho. However, his tactical webbing differentiates his role: his combat belt features standard straight, three-cell leather ammunition pouches designed to hold 5-round stripper clips for the standard-issue Karabiner 98k (Kar98k) bolt-action rifle. He also carries a tucked Model 24 stick grenade and wears black leather marching boots.

• Historical Background: The standard rifleman was the backbone of the Luftwaffe Field Divisions. While these troops were issued excellent camouflage gear like the Zeltbahn, they often suffered heavy casualties when initially deployed to the Eastern Front due to a lack of specialized infantry training compared to their regular Army (Heer) counterparts.