Wehrmacht Artillery Officer / NCO (Artillerie Offizier / Unteroffizier) (WWII) – Custom Printed Brick Block Figure

Character Identification: Wehrmacht Artillery Officer / NCO (Artillerie Offizier / Unteroffizier)

This highly detailed Custom Printed Brick Block Figure represents a veteran combat commander—either an Officer or a Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO)—of the German Wehrmacht’s Artillery Branch (Artillerie) during World War II. Unlike standard enlisted gunners who carry heavy ammunition pouches, this figure is distinguished by his command-style belt, map case/holster, and extensive combat decorations, indicating his role in directing artillery fire and commanding a gun crew.

Specific Name and Visual Details

• Specific Name: Wehrmacht Artillery Officer / NCO (WWII)

• Headgear (The Stahlhelm): The figure is equipped with the standard dark grey/black Stahlhelm (steel helmet), providing essential protection on the frontline.

• Facial Features: He features a battle-hardened expression with printed facial stubble, perfectly capturing the exhausted but focused look of a veteran commander who has spent weeks in the field.

• Upper Body and Branch Colors: * He wears the classic dark grey Feldgrau field tunic.

  • The Waffenfarbe (Branch Color): The most crucial detail is the bright red piping (Hochrot) outlining his collar tabs (Litzen). In the German military, red was the designated color for the Artillery branch.

• Medals and Decorations: This commander is highly decorated, reflecting extensive frontline experience:

  • Buttonhole Ribbon: A printed red, white, and black ribbon runs through his second buttonhole, representing the Iron Cross 2nd Class.

  • Breast Badges: His left breast pocket features two printed silver badges. These likely represent the General Assault Badge (often awarded to artillery and anti-tank crews) and a Wound Badge. Above the pocket is a printed ribbon bar.

  • Right Breast: Features the standard printed national eagle insignia.

• Tactical Gear: Unlike enlisted men, he does not wear heavy Y-straps or rifle ammunition pouches. Instead, he wears a brown leather officer’s belt with a silver buckle. Attached to the front right of his belt is a printed brown leather map case or small pistol holster, essential for holding firing coordinates or a personal defense weapon.

• Rear and Lower Body: The Behind view shows a clean tunic back, emphasizing his command role free from heavy hauling gear. He wears matching dark grey trousers and standard black marching boots.

Historical Background

The Artillery was the backbone of the German Wehrmacht’s combat power during World War II.

• The Command Role: While enlisted men did the heavy lifting of loading and firing the massive 10.5cm or 15cm howitzers, the Officers and NCOs were the brains of the operation. They were responsible for mathematically calculating trajectories, reading topographical maps, and adjusting fire based on forward observer reports. This is why this figure is equipped with a map case rather than heavy ammo pouches.

• The Red Waffenfarbe: Artillerymen proudly wore the red branch color. This included not only traditional towed howitzer crews but also the highly dangerous Anti-Tank (Panzerjäger) and Assault Gun (Sturmgeschütz) units, which often engaged enemy armor at point-blank range.

• Frontline Veterans: The extensive medals on this figure’s chest (Iron Cross and Assault Badges) indicate he is a combat veteran. Artillery crews frequently found themselves on the very front lines, especially late in the war, fighting off enemy infantry and tanks with direct fire when their positions were overrun.