North Africa Italian SMG Assault Trooper (NCO) WWII – Custom Printed Brick Block Figure

English Translation & Specific Name

• English Translation / Title: WWII North Africa Italian SMG Assault Trooper (NCO)

• Historical Era: World War II (1940–1943)

• Faction / Military Branch: Italian Royal Army (Regio Esercito)

Detailed Character Identification, Description, and Historical Background

Character Identification This custom building block figure represents a specialized Assault Trooper (Assaltatore) or Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) of the Italian Royal Army in the North African theater. He is immediately distinguished from standard riflemen by his yellow rank chevrons and the highly specific diagonal leather magazine bandolier, which was designed exclusively to hold extended magazines for the formidable Beretta submachine gun.

Detailed Character Description (Utilizing incredibly sharp 360-degree UV printing, this figure meticulously captures the specialized loadout of a veteran Italian close-quarters combatant fighting in the desert.)

• Headgear & Face: The figure is equipped with the iconic sand-colored pith helmet (casco coloniale), a vital piece of sun-protection gear for the African campaigns. The front displays a printed tricolor cockade and regimental badge. His face print features a stern, battle-ready expression complemented by a sharp, classic thin mustache.

• Torso (Tropical Uniform & Rank): He wears the standard Italian M40 tropical khaki tunic (Sahariana).

  • Insignia: The lapels proudly display the red collar tabs (mostrine) with white Savoy stars, identifying him as part of the regular line infantry. Printed on his left upper arm are yellow chevron insignia, denoting his rank as a Sergeant (Sergente) or similar NCO leadership role.

  • Tactical Webbing (The SMG Bandolier): The absolute standout feature of this figure is the brown leather diagonal chest rig strapped across his torso. This is an accurate representation of the specialized “Samurai” style magazine carrier, designed specifically to hold the long 30- or 40-round stick magazines for the Beretta MAB 38 submachine gun.

• Legs & Footwear: His lower half features matching khaki tropical trousers that tuck cleanly into tall brown leather boots (or rigid leather gaiters). This premium footwear marks a clear distinction from the standard cloth puttees worn by regular enlisted men, reinforcing his status as an NCO or elite assault trooper.

Historical Background During the North African Campaign, the Italian Regio Esercito faced severe logistical and equipment challenges against the heavily mechanized British Eighth Army. However, one area where the Italians undeniably excelled was in their submachine gun design. The Beretta Modello 38 (MAB 38) is widely considered one of the finest and most reliable submachine guns of the entire Second World War.

Because the MAB 38 was expensive and complex to manufacture, it was not issued to every soldier. Initially reserved for elite units like the Folgore paratroopers and Blackshirts, it eventually made its way into the hands of line infantry NCOs and specialized assault squads. To carry the heavy, high-capacity magazines in the grueling desert heat without restricting movement, Italian quartermasters issued distinctive diagonal canvas or leather chest bandoliers. A soldier wearing this rig was universally recognized on the battlefield as a lethal close-quarters combatant, capable of laying down devastating automatic fire during trench raids and urban combat.