"DR6281: Germania Regiment France 1940

1/35 Injection plastic figure set with signposts, PE detail and decals.

The invasion of France and the lowlands saw the first major combat action for units such as the Germania and Deutschland regiments. The M1937 field jacket, was widely worn by German infantry during the Blitkreig period and is often considered the definitive version of the German WWII infantry uniform due its tailored cut which incorporated the design improvements made during the 1930s; but did not feature the wartime economy features of later models. The Wehrmacht and Waffen SS both used this basic design with their own respective insignia.

Poses

This set features four men from the Germania regiment during the 1940 invasion of France. All men are wearing the M1937 field jacket with matching pants and calf length marching boots. The figures would also be appropriate for other early war campaigns such as Poland and the 1941 invasion of Russia.

Ron Volstad's box art accurately depicts the colours of the uniform and field kit. As shown in the artwork in 1940 the trousers were often cut from a stone grey fabric. All men have removed their collar tabs for security reasons, but have retained their regimental cuff titles (worn by varying named units such as Gross Deutschland, Germania and LSAH) and sleeve eagles; the later being unique to the Waffen SS.

The NCO, who has a scarf wrapped around his neck, is armed with a Bergmann MP-28 sub-machine gun. He is kneeling holding a map and wears full platoon leader equipment, which includes belt and “Y” straps, two dispatch cases and water bottle. His gas mask case and gas sheet are attached to a strap that crosses over his left shoulder. A rifleman who wears his basic equipment on his belt, is leaning forward to discuss the map with the NCO and also carries his gas mask case and gas sheet strapped across his chest. A standing machine gunner carries a Czech made ZB 26 and has spare rounds in pouches hanging from his neck. The last man is the gunner's assistant who is carrying an ammunition box in each hard. He also wears his basic equipment on his belt and has a rifle slung across his back.

Like with "Desperate Defense “Korsun Pocket" the bodies of these 'Generation 2' figures are each made up from approximately a dozen parts as opposed to six or seven for traditional 1/35 figures. Each figure is sculptured to a high standard with crisp detail on the uniforms and lifelike faces. Each man's face is separate to the back of his head with the join positioned at the helmet strap to hide it. This allows the faces to be painted separately. The boots and hands are separate parts, which slot into recesses on the arms and legs. Apart from enabling the hands to be painted separately, this design allows the arms to be painted attached to the body giving a consistent finish and for the inside of cuffs to be more readily painted. While no alternative hands are included, this design offers benefits for modifying the poses. The jackets have realistic creases and folds, while the boots have hobnail studs on the soles.

Weapons

A new sprue contains the MP-28 sub-machine gun and Czech ZB 26 light machine gun, which along with the ZB 30 was the precursor to the Bren gun. Three spare 20 round clips and a choice of open or folded bipods are provided for the ZB 26. The MP-28 also has several spare magazines and choice of two separate bolt mechanisms. Both guns are crisply detailed in keeping with the “Generation 2” figures. The inclusion of these two guns adds interest to the set and reflects the sets attention to historical accuracy of the weapons that the Germania regiment used in France.

The two standard issue Kar98K rifles have separate bolts, which give the option of having the bolt mechanism pulled back or not; or alternatively stripped for use in say a diorama. The muzzle end of these rifles has been hollowed out. A dozen 5 round ammunition clips are provided. No slings are provided, so the lead foil may prove useful.

The with two closed ammunition boxes have separate handles, and come with some useful spares including an open ammunition box and four rounds of drum ammunition for the MG34/42.

Photo Etch and Personal Field Equipment

A common PE fret, containing approximately 48 parts is included and has parts for four men. The frets contain a mix of shoulder boards, belt buckles, insignia and awards such as the iron cross and various assault badges and was first used in the “Desperate Defense" set.

Two generic sprues contain assorted personal field equipment with plenty of very useful spares. The sprue in a softer plastic contains assorted ammunition pouches of which some have open pouches, 8 x bread bags, pistol holders, map case, 8 x clothing bag and 4 x rolled blanket. The second sprue is in the same hard plastic as the figures and contains 6 helmets, 6 x M1931 canteen (cook pot) and lid of which two are hollow, 6 x gas mask case with hollowed out center and separate lids, 6x entrenching tool with an early model carrier, binoculars and flask with separate cap.

Sign Posts

Two plastic signposts are included, along with a waterslide decal sheet. The larger post has a variety of 8 different signs attached to it listing varying French towns such as “Amiens” and “St Quentin” and other traveling directions. The second sign comes with a choice of decals including a set relating to the Normandy region.

Recommendation

"Germania 1940" expands Dragon's Generation 2 line into the Blitzkreig period, offering a impressive range of well researched and crisply detailed frontline figures. The inclusion of the signposts and the careful choice of the weapons add to the appeal and value for money. Like with the first set of Generation 2 figures this set is highly recommended."

- Neville Lord

"The Gen2 figure set 'Germania Regiment France 1940' represents the state of the art in injection moulded figures from the super detailed weapons featuring slide moulded hollow muzzles to the multi-piece figures providing incredibly detailed undercuts in the uniforms, hollowed out sleeves and realistic faces previously available only in resin. A photoetch fret of uniform insignia and badges and reproductions of period signs round out this phenomenol figure set."

- Tom Cockle

"Following along the lines of their Gen2 figure set released last month, these new 1/35 scale Waffen SS figures feature the same treatment of weapons & accesories, photo-etched metal details, and second generation molding technology. A set of parts and decals is included to add signposts to possible vignettes. The locale of the signs was researched to depict areas where the Germania Regiment saw action.

Some new weapons have been added to the set including the earlier wooden stocked MP-28, and a Czech built VZzb 26, or leMG-26(t) as named by the Germans. The gunner for this “Bren-like” weapon wears a magazine pouch around his neck designed for the MG-13, but used for the task at hand. The squad leader portrayed on one knee studying a map sports the leather magazine pouches for his MP-28. The personal equipment from the earlier “Desparate Defense” figure set is included in this release with the addition of the earlier straight shovels.

The multi-part upper torso and separate hands and boots have made these figures a good step above previous releases in regards to realism. The re-design of the personal equipment, especially the helmets, is something I personally welcome. "

- Gary Edmundson

" ...one of the nice additions in this kit – sure to be popular with many modelers – is a set of French road signs of the period, with two 4 x 4 type poles and a total of 15 sign boards. Legend is provided via a sheet of special decals for the signs..."

<full review here>
- Cookie Sewell

"...Another fantastic set of figures from Dragon that continue the amazing trend they began with the 'Korsun Pocket - 1944' figure set. I can't wait for the next release!"

<full review here>
- Vinnie