Soviet Infantry in Action

Belorussia, Spring of 44. After pausing a few weeks to rest and consolidate its gains, the Soviet Army is ready for a new offensive. The Germans have had time to dig in and prepare their defenses, however, after several years of fighting a war of attrition, they are very low on manpower and armor, so their defenses lack depth and heavy weapons. The Soviet leadership, with its vast reserves of men and materiel does not need to be very creative with its tactics, and launches a frontal attack against the German's main line after a heavy artillery barrage. In the pictures below we see how a Soviet company supported by a squadron of T-34s carries out the attack.

With a blow of his whistle, the officer launches the attack as soon as the artillery barrage lifts and urges his men forward.

Men and tanks start to move forward. Men firing on the run, the tanks' guns blasting away.

The T-34's offer good protection against small arms fire, but then again, they can also attract the attention of heavy weapons...

A Soviet man exhibiting their fondness of riding their tanks into battle.

Machine guns provide covering fire for the advancing troops.

The enemy has recovered from the initial shock and the return fire is starting to take its toll.

But the men keep rushing forward amid cries of OORAH! which can be heard across the entire front despite the din of battle.

The first men reach the German defenses and are clearing the first obstacles. The Soviet submachine guns are ideal for this type of close range action.

The machine gun in the bunker has been knocked out and the men rush to seize it before the enemy is able to man it again. It is a mad rush to get there first.

In a couple minutes the bulk of the company is upon the German line.

For many of these men the fight is deeply personal and they are eager to engage the enemy in hand-to-hand combat.

But not all of them make it. The officer leading the charge takes a hit within feet of the objective.

One of his comrades quickly disposes of the enemy with a grenade.

The last Germans make a desperate last stand.

But they are swiftly overrun by the red Soviet tide.

Here's a more detailed description of the painted Soviet Infantry figures.

Here are some more Soviet Infantry sets.

Featured Soviet Figures (a.k.a. Russian Infantry): Marx Soviet Infantry, Airfix Soviet Infantry, TSSD Soviet Infantry, Toy Soldiers of San Diego Soviet Infantry, MPC Soviet Infantry, Italeri Soviet Infantry, ESCI Soviet Infantry, SWTS Soviet Infantry. Featured Vehicles: Forces of Valor T-34.

Soviet Infantry - Part I

In this post you can see a selection of Soviet Infantry figures from multiple manufacturers, painted to look like a single unit. Even though I painted more than 100, the total number of unique figures is only 47. Since the time I painted these figures, I have found a few more sets (Atlantic, Italeri Anti-Tank Gun Crew, Supreme Playsets) which would allow me to paint another 20 unique poses or so. But for now, this is it. 

By the way, while we are on the topic of Soviet Infantry, I have to say that in the name of accuracy, I always try to resist calling them Russian Infantry, as the Soviet army contained many more groups beyond Russians. The funny thing however is that I just realized that most of the manufacturers actually refer to them as Russian Infantry on their packaging. No wonder they are most often called this way. Anyhow, however you prefer to call them, I present them to you for your review.

Airfix Soviet Infantry

A nice solid set made in the 70's and 80's. I like how they did a good job showing how common the submachine guns were among the Soviets, particularly in the late years of the war.

Italeri Soviet Infantry

Released about 4 or 5 years ago. This is a subset of the figures that they produced in 1/72. Supreme Playsets actually came out a few months back with these 8 poses plus 4 more, based on the Italeri 1/72 figures. I bought the Supreme Playset figures just for those 4 extra poses.

MPC Soviet Infantry

I have mixed feelings about this set. The 4 guys at the ends of this picture are OK, but the other guys are a bit odd. Like what's up with that guy doing that funny step? The cossack officer is a nice touch, but he seems to be a bit off balance. And the guy throwing the grenade seems to have a stiff neck.

Reproductions of Marx 6" Figures

The manufacturer of these guys is unclear to me. I bought them advertised as SWTS figures (Steve Weston Toy Soldiers), but I have not been able to comfirm that claim. He does not mention them on his web site.

Reproductions of Marx 6" Figures - one more

Here is one more of the allegedly SWTS Soviet guys. I did not paint this one as the figure, except for the base, is almost exactly like one of the 54mm Marx guys. See the picture below, the man on the very left. I have added him to this post so that you get to see the complete set of 6.

Marx Soviet Infantry

The bottom of the base of these figures actually says 1965. The figures I painted were cast more recently, but the mold was made that year. Probably among the earliest WWII Soviet figures to be made.

Toy Soldiers of San Diego Soviet Infantry

This is a recently produced set. Nice sculpting, and good poses. The woman sniper is a good unique touch which pays tribute to the many women who fought at the front lines of the Soviet army.

ESCI Soviet Infantry

This is actually a 1/35 set. Next to some of the larger TSSD figures these guys look small, but when you need extra poses, you can't be very picky. Then again, I did not paint the officer on the right. Unfortunately, by the time I found it I already had enough officers painted but in retrospective I should have painted it as it gives me one extra pose. It is already primed and at some point it will join the ranks. BTW, I think that officer might also be a woman, but it's hard to tell for sure. The third figure from the right also looks like a woman.

Click here to see the Soviet Infantry in action.

Click here to see some more Soviet Infantry figures.

Another Unique Guy - Atlantic Japanese Infantry

As I was selecting the figures to use for the Banzai Charge post, I came across this guy which I find pretty unique, in a weird kind of way. He is part of the Atlantic Japanese Infantry set, and he is supposed to be wearing twigs as cammouflage. While it is a nice idea to make such a figure, I think that the execution came out short of its potential. Let's look at it in a bit more detail.

There are a couple of things that don't look right to me when I look at this figure. Some of the branches around him look more like antlers. In fact, take a look at this fantasy figure from Schleich and see if it does not remind you of him. Also, if the guy is wearing cammouflage, wouldn't it have been better to pose him in a crouching/crawling position, rather than standing upright? Standing like this he just looks out of place in the jungle. Certainly not Banzai material.

Here is the reverse side. Another thing that does not look right is how all the foliage is on the same vertical plane. I am sure it was designed this way because it is easier to release such a figure from the mold when it is manufactured, and of course, that has to be considered when designing a figure, but it should not come at the expense of giving the figure a pose that is still compelling and realistic.

Having said all this, I do have to give Atlantic credit for the idea of making a guy wearing foliage as cammouflage -so far it is the only one that I am aware of. Anyhow, Atlantic was in production back in the 80's and the toy solider industry has improved substantially since those days. Now, if some current manufacturer took that idea and ran with it, producing a whole set of foliage wearing guys in different realistic poses that might be a business opportunity waiting to be tapped.

Here is a picture of Apricum, Schleich guy that I was referring to.

Click here to see some pictures of Japanese Infantry in action.

King Tiger Moving to the Front

Normandy, Summer of '44. The first Tiger II tanks are starting to be deployed in the field. Here we have one of the very first ones moving towards the front to help with the fighting around Caen. The Tiger II was a formidable tank in terms of armor and armament. With its powerful 88mm gun, it could knock out enemy tanks at ranges up to 3km and there are anecdotes of it taking over 24 hits in one action without being destroyed. However its reliability left much to be desired. In some units, more Tiger IIs were lost due to mechanical problems, and subsequently blown up to avoid capture, than were lost in combat. Bombing raids on the factories also prevented it from being deployed in large enough numbers, with less than 500 manufactured, compared to about 1500 Tiger I's and close to 9000 Panzer IV's. Later on, fuel problems caused many of them to be abandoned.

The Tank commander getting directions towards his objective.

The grenadiers marching along will provide some useful infantry cover when they go into action.

Good thing this is a stone bridge.

Weighing in at about 75 tons, not every bridge is able to support this behemoth.

Click here to see some pictures of German Infantry in action.
Click here to see some German Armor in action.

The models in these pictures are:

Forces of Valor King Tiger Tank and 21st Century Toys German Infantry.

Banzai Charge - US Marines and Japanese Infantry in Action

Guadalcanal, Fall of  '42. The American Marine garrison is isolated in this far away island. The Japanese high command wants to quickly eliminate this thorn on its side and severely underestimates the American capabilities which have improved substantially since Wake Island and the Philippines campaign. The Japanese military doctrine, built around the ancient Samurai code of Bushido, believes that fighting spirit alone is enough to overcome their 'softer' adversaries and fails to understand that weaponry, logistics, tactics, and leadership also play a very important role in 20th century warfare. As such, they send thousands of their countrymen to their deaths in full-frontal atacks which are terribly costly relative to the damage that they cause. These attacks became known as Banzai Charges because of the Japanese battle cry 'Banzai!'. Here is how one might have unfolded.
 

American Marines, aware of the Japanese tendency for surprise attacks, watchfully man their perimeter.

Japanese Infantry, experts in infiltration techniques, stealthily approach the American lines.

A few Marines pick up some light sounds and begin to get ready for what might be coming up.

Suddenly the jungle explodes with cries of  'Banzai!!' and bursts of gunfire.

The Japanese officers lead from the front, sables in hand, like their Samurai forefathers.

Their colors follow shortly behind, corageously heading into what might be their last charge ever.

The American men, hearing the sounds of battle, rush to man their positions.

However, it is hard to see the enemy through the dense jungle.

The Marines take some random shots into the jungle.

And throw grenades in the direction of the oncoming cries and enemy fire.

Suddenly, the first Japanese soldiers appear in front of them.

They come charging with fixed bayonets...

Taking shots....

And firing from the hip as they rush forward.

In a few seconds they are on top of the Marine outposts...

...and a savage  life and death struggle ensues.

Luckily, the outposts have managed to call back to the Marine's main line of defense.

But within a few minutes it's all over for the men at the outposts.

Nonetheless, the struggle at the outposts has bought the Marines enough time to shift men from another sector of the line to meet the Japanese attack.

A .30 caliber machine gun is rushed to the threatened sector.

And the men at the line are ready.

The Japanese continue to press forward with the attack, at the height of their battle fever.

Suddenly they come into full view of the defenders.

Where they finally meet their end.

Featured figures: Airfix Japanese Infantry, Atlantic Japanese Infantry, Glencoe Japanese Infantry, Marx Japanese Infantry, MPC Japanese Infantry, Toy Soldiers of San Diego Japanese Infantry, TSSD Japanese Infantry, BMC Marines, Glencoe Marines, Marx Marines, Toy Soldiers of San Diego Marines, TSSD Marines. Not featured: BMC Japanese Infantry and CTS Japanese Infantry.