Introducing the US Rangers

The Rangers are an elite unit within the US Army. During WWII, 6 Ranger battalions were created. The 1st through 5th operated in North Africa and Europe, and the 6th was deployed to the Pacific theater. The first of these battalions was raised in mid 1942, and their training and purpose was modeled after the British Commando units, so much so that about 50 of them were incorporated into the British Commando units that participated in the Dieppe Raid in August of 1942, only two months after they were established. In late 1942, the 1st, 3rd, and 4th Ranger Battalions saw action in North Africa, and in 1943, they participated in the Italian campaign where unfortunately, the 1st and 3rd Battalions were practically destroyed - either killed or captured. The 2nd and 5th Battalions played prominent roles during the D-Day Normandy landings in June of '44. The 2nd Battalion was deployed to climb the cliffs of Pointe du Hoc and capture the nearby artillery batteries, and the 5th Battalion landed in the Dog White sector of Omaha Beach. These are the guys popularly depicted by Tom Hanks and his men in Saving Private Ryan. It was during the D-Day landings that the Rangers developed their motto of 'Lead the way!" At some point, when the attack was stalled, a general asked one of the Rangers to identify his unit. When he replied that they were the 5th Rangers, the general replied "Well god damn it, if you are Rangers, then get up there and lead the way!" which inspired the men to punch through the German defenses and get off the beach. On the Pacific side, the 6th Battalion participated in the invasion of the Philippines, where approximately 130 Rangers supported by Filipino guerrillas conducted a raid to liberate allied POWs from the Cabanatuan camp. This mission, 30 miles behind enemy lines, was a race against time, as there was real concern that the Japanese would execute the 522 prisoners, which included 33 civilians as well as survivors from the Bataan death march. In a surprise night attack, the Rangers were able to liberate the prisoners with minimal casualties, neutralizing close to a thousand Japanese troops in the process, before trekking back to Allied lines. In terms of toy soldiers, the Rangers have not been addressed as a separate topic until recently. Let's take a look. 

Mars US Rangers

Another unique and interesting set by Mars. What sets these guys apart and the reason why you can tell them apart from regular US Infantry is that they are wearing the Ranger assault vest. Aside from that, a few of them are carrying weapons that would have come in handy at Omaha Beach on D-Day, like the Bangalore torpedo, or the mine detector. The guy firing the BAR upwards, could also be firing up the Pointe du Hoc cliffs. The other poses are useful combat poses. So good ratings on the subject matter. What continues to bother me about the Mars figures is the sculpting of the arms. They are always closely tucked into the bodies. I know it is done for ease of release from the molds, but it makes them look unnatural, and sometimes it affects the body proportions. In this set, the sculpting of the sniper's legs also makes it look a bit odd, as the the front leg is bent right against its own thigh. Anyhow, happy about the set in general, but a bit disappointed about some of its details. 

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Here's a post of the GI's breaking out of Normandy.

And here is another post with GIs defending an Italian farmhouse.

Click here to see the Company of GIs in action.

Introducing the Japanese Naval Infantry

The Japanese Naval Infantry, also known as the Japanese Special Naval Landing Forces (SNLF) were a unit within the Imperial Japanese Navy Land Forces. They were landing units raised from ships crews which received special infantry training. They were deployed in battalion strength, ranging from a couple companies to a few thousand men. In 1941, some of these units were converted into parachute units and were successfully used against the Dutch in the operation to capture the Celebes Island. SNLF Troops were also deployed to capture Milne Bay in New Guinea. In this case they were defeated by well reinforced and determined Australian troops and from that point on they were mostly used in defensive actions. SNLF units were also used in the summer of 1942 to capture unopposed Kiska Island in Alaska, part of the Aleutian Islands, which they occupied for about a year, withdrawing before the US troops showed up. Another renowned action was the defense of Tarawa, where they fought to the end. SNLF operations often suffered heavy casualties. This was in part due to the isolated nature of their operations which made resupply challenging, but also in part due to the fact that they were not as skilled in infantry warfare tactics. They were however determined to fight, often resorting to their swords and bayonets when running out of ammunition. This is not to say that they were poorly equipped. SNLF had access to heavy weapons, artillery, and even tanks and armored vehicles. In terms of plastic toy soldiers, this is a subject that had been largely ignored by manufacturers until recently, when a couple of companies decided to cover it with some nice new production figures. Let's check them out!

Plastic Platoon Japanese Naval Infantry

Until recently, the great majority of Japanese plastic troops available have been regular Japanese Infantry, so it is nice and refreshing to see a different service branch being depicted. The challenge now is to find enough other poses to form a substantial fighting unit. But that's a good problem to have. As usual with Plastic Platoon, the sculpting is superb. The poses are good action poses and the detail is crisp and rich. For instance, you can clearly see the insignia showing that these guys are marines, and a few of them also wear Japanese flags on their head/helmet. Another feature that is unique about them is that they all carry a gas mask on their back. I wonder why this has only been depicted with these naval infantry guys. And then you also have a man wearing a bullet-scarred breast plate, similar to those worn by the Soviet scouts. Speaking of that guy, I do think that he could have been sculpted with a wider stance. If you throw a grenade with your legs so close to each other, you are relying primarily on arm strength for the throw... then again, maybe he thinks that the can get pretty close to the objective given the extra protection that he is wearing? :-)

Expeditionary Force Japanese Naval Infantry

This is such a timely set. Just as Plastic Platoon released its set of Japanese Naval Infantry, we now have 9 additional poses to assemble a full squad, or an understrength platoon. The two poses that stand out from this set are the flag bearer/bugle player and the flamethrower. Very nicely done. The other figures are pretty standard charging/firing poses, not unlike the ones that were released as part of the Japanese infantry sets. What makes these uniforms stand out is that all have the naval infantry insignia prominently displayed on their shoulders and on the front of their helmets. A nice detail that will stand out well if you paint the figures. One thing I do have to say is that when placed next tot he Plastic Platoon guys, these marines do feel a bit bulkier -or the other guys seem a bit slimmer- which one is it? Anyhow, now need to plan a landing operation for these guys!

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Click here to see a very cool post of Japanese troops in action against US Marines.

Introducing the Soviet Mountain Troops

The Soviet Mountain Troops were a minor branch of the soviet military. Normally when I research a service branch of a country that fought in WWII, I find so much information that I spend several days summarizing the content so that it fits within a few paragraphs. That has not been the case with the Soviet Mountain Troops. As far as I can tell, there were only five Mountain Infantry divisions, and it does not seem like they were used much differently than regular infantry units. I came upon this topic after buying some figures meant to depict the troops which fought at Mt Elbrus, but even that seems like it was a very small action. So small in fact that apparently the first defenders were not mountain troops but just local militia that happened to be close by. There was so little resistance to capture the mountain that the Germans actually had the opportunity to climb to the top 3 times. The first time they forgot to bring a camera. The second time they took a camera, but the Reich's propaganda machine decided they needed film, so they were sent back up a third time. Later, after the Germans withdrew to shorten the front after the collapse of Stalingrad, the Soviet Army reclaimed the mountain, without any fighting. So this might be a situation in which the lore of the small Mt Elbrus action has aggrandized the role of the Soviet Mountain Troops. Here's a link to a site that analyzed in great detail the action at Mt Elbrus. As far as Mountain Infantry Divisions, the Soviets fielded the 60th, 63rd, 68th, 72nd and 83rd divisions. The 60th, based at the Carpathian Mountains, was destroyed in the Uman pocket within the first couple months of the war. The 63rd, was based at the Caucasus and fought in the Crimea. It was destroyed during the German offensive in the summer of '42. The 68th was used to occupy Iran in 1941 and remained there for the duration of the War. The 72nd was deployed in Ukraine and it was also destroyed in the Uman pocket at the start of the war. The 83rd division is the one that saw the most action. Initially deployed to Iran, it later helped liberate the Crimea and later on pushed through the Carpathian Mountains into Czechoslovakia where it ended the war.  In terms of plastic toy soldiers, I am only aware of one manufacturer who has covered this subject - Hanomak. They are a recent entrant into the arena, but their debut set has been a welcome addition. Let's check it out.

Hanomak Soviet Mountain Troops - Part I

This set is supposed to represent the Soviet Troops that were deployed to recapture Mount Elbrus, during the 1942/43 German offensive into the Caucasus. The sculpting and level of detail does deliver what you would expect from a set addressing this subject. Starting with the poses, I really like that they are not just climbing, but they are actually engaged in battle. The bases and the equipment that they carry takes care of conveying the setting, from the obvious ropes and tools, to the more subtle crampon shoes, woolen socks, googles, etc, you can tell where these guys are fighting. I also like the rugged appearance of the men. Whether those beards are to keep warm, or reflect the complexities of maintaining the dress code at high altitude, they fit these guys very well.

Hanomak Soviet Mountain Troops - Part II

Across the six figures you can also see a nice range of weapons in use. We have a few PPSh-41 sub-machineguns, a sniper rifle, and a very welcome Degtyaryov machine gun on a bipod firing across a valley. Then there's also the grenade pack suggesting more intense close quarter combat, as they struggled to occupy and retain the high ground. My only concern at this point is the fact that I will only have six poses to man the defenses. Overall, a nice set, representing a unique subject, executed pretty well. Worth adding to the collection.  

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Classic Toy Soldiers - Toy Soldiers

Latest addition: Korean Winter GIs.

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Classic Toy Soldiers is an American company started in the early 90s. They began primarily selling recasts of existing figures -a lot of it Airfix-, that were out of production, and casting their own line of vehicles, often packaging them together into larger 'playsets'. Their early figures and vehicles were not the best. Some of their figures lacked fluidity in their movements and their vehicles were a bit undersized and entirely made of plastic. In recent years they have begun doing their own sculpting and production of original figures. They are among the few manufacturers that offer new WWII sets. The quality of their offerings has consistently improved and I am hoping that they will continue to release new and varied sets going forward.

Classic Toy Soldiers German Infantry - Part I

This is one of their earlier figure sets. Several of these guys are scaled down versions of the 6 inch Marx guys. A few of the other guys seem to be originals, but their poses are a bit stiff.

Classic Toy Soldiers German Infantry - Part II

If you observe them for a moment you can tell the two different sculpting styles in the set. Perhaps even three as the prone guy is also different. Even his uniform is different. He is wearing a smock. BTW I think that guy used to have a little tree trunk in front of him, but it broke off.

Classic Toy Soldiers Japanese Infantry - Part I

CTS also came out with their own 6 poses of Japanese Infantry. They are slightly on the larger side for 54mm. My favorite poses are the two guys working the machine gun. The type of plastic is slightly brittle. Somehow I was able to knock off the head of the prone guy and had to glue it back.

Classic Toy Soldiers Japanese Infantry - Part II

These other three guys, have very long rifles which are hard to keep straight and they are standing too straight for my taste.

Classic Toy Soldiers Italian Infantry

CTS released this set about 5 years back. They display a bit more intensity than the Airfix guys, however the sculpting is a bit less detailed. Still a welcome addition after so many years of waiting. These guys could be fighting in the Balkans or in the Soviet Union.

Classic Toy Soldiers Romanian Infantry

CTS came out with this set around the time of the Italians, and aside from the officer, the other five figures are the same. That and the color is also different. The set is actually fairly decent. The sculpting could have used a bit more details, but their poses do a nice job of conveying action. These guys will fit just fine fighting either the Soviets or the Germans.

Classic Toy Soldiers US Infantry  Set 1 - Part I

These were released a couple of years back. And here you can already see the marked improvement in the sculpting and realism. The fact that they come with a flamethrower guy and a guy having to fight with both hands, makes them good candidates to paint them as Marines and deploy them on scenes like Pelelliu or Iwo Jima.

Classic Toy Soldiers US Infantry Set 1 - Part II

I like the guy standing with the bazooka. Most of the times they are depicted kneeling. The BAR guy seems to be firing indiscriminately through the foliage at some unseen enemy in the distance while on patrol.

Classic Toy Soldiers US Infantry Set 2 - Part I

This is the second release of GIs by CTS. The guy I like the most is the one on the radio. I like the intensity that he portrays. The prone BAR man is also a good addition to the unit and it shows the weapon resting on its bipod.

Classic Toy Soldiers US Infantry Set 2 - Part II

These three poses are what made me get a couple of these sets. I had several Long Tom artillery pieces from 21st Century Toys, but I did not have crews for them. There is a loader, a guy on the phone, and another one that seems to be ready to fire the gun. The caliber of the ammo looks small for this gun, but I guess it's going to have to be good enough for it.

Classic Toy Soldiers German Medical Team - Part I

This is a freshly released set from CTS. It contains a mixture of medics and casualties. It is nicely detailed and when painted they will blend very well with other German figures, such as Conte's. The only thing to criticize about these figures is the shape of some of the helmets, which seem to have a softer edge than expected -like the kneeling guy's helmet.

Classic Toy Soldiers German Medical Team - Part II

Here you have one more casualty -who does not seem to need any more medical attention, a man carrying a stretcher and a presumed prisoner. Not sure what the prisoner has to do with the medical team, but since these are all non-fighting poses, I can see how he fits in in that respect. Overall a nice set from CTS who will go very well with the FOV ambulance.

Classic Toy Soldiers Assault Troops - Part I

The latest release from CTS. A new set of German 'Assault Troops'. Considering that most of them are wearing cammo smocks I am going to paint them as Waffen SS. I like that some of the poses are a bit different from what has typically been done in the past for such weapons. For instance, the panzerschreck is held by a prone guy and the man operating the MG 42 is not actually firing it, but urging on his comrades.

Classic Toy Soldiers Assault Troops - Part II

These other poses are also nice and interesting. Note the guy with the flamethrower on the right, and the guy pulling the cord off the hand grenade. The guy surrendering is not my favorite as I prefer fighting poses, but even that is original. Note that he had been previously released with the medical team, along with the dead guy from the previous picture. That does not make much sense to me. They could have made the set more affordable be leaving them as part of the medical team.

Classic Toy Soldiers Artillery Crew - Part I

Also part of the latest release, a set that was sorely missing: an artillery crew. Italeri had also produced a PAK 40 with crew, but you had to buy them as a set, so you could not really staff any artillery pieces purchased without a crew. Well, now you can. The set comes with an observer/officer and two loaders.

Classic Toy Soldiers Artillery Crew - Part II

Another angle. This crew can also be deployed to serve an 88 gun. They look equally good and the size of the shell might be more in line with an 88.

Classic Toy Soldiers Korean War Chinese - Part I

I got these guys thinking that I will use them as WWII Soviet Winter troops. The level of detail is so good that their faces actually betray them as Chinese. I might still be able to use them as Soviets, if we assume that they came from the Central Asian Soviet Republics. The uniforms and weapons all would pass as Soviet gear. In terms of the sculpting and poses, I am quite happy with this set. All poses are combat poses, which is the way I like them. 

Classic Toy Soldiers Korean War Chinese - Part II

The man on the right is actually my favorite pose. You don't often see figures reloading their weapons, and he is doing it on the run. Another interesting detail of these figures is that the base is covered in snow and you actually see the footprints of the men on it. A nice touch of realism, which actually highlights the fact that I should have taken these pictures with a different background :-)

 The only thing that some might criticize is that the sets come with 16 figures, but you don't get two of each pose. Three of them come in 3s and 3 of them as singles. Having 2 of each is useful if you plan on painting one set of poses and leaving the other 8 unpainted. On the other hand, if you want to use all 16 together, then, having one officer makes more sense than having two. All in all a nice and unique set from CTS, so I might not even mind buying a second one, perhaps to use as true Chinese.

Classic Toy Soldiers Korean War North Koreans

Similarly as with the CTS Korean War Chinese, my intention is to use these guys as Soviet Winter Troops. The sculpting is nice, and the uniforms and weapons fit just fine. My only wish is that the poses were a bit more dynamic. I don't like is as much when they are mostly standing around. But They do add 8 poses to the pool of potential Soviet Winter troops. Can't complain about that.

Classic Toy Soldiers Korean War Winter GIs - Part I

I debated with myself a long time whether I should get these guys or not. On the one hand, there are very few GIs wearing winter long coats. As far as I know, only the ones from TSSD. So I thought these would complement them well. What made me doubtful is that the sculpting feels a bit coarse. Not just in terms of the details, but also because the figures seem quite bulky, particularly the legs and mittens. In the end I relented, and convinced myself that the reason why they are bulky is that they must have a lot of padding inside their boots and gloves. Anyhow, without further ado, these are the CTS Korean War Winter GIs. 

Classic Toy Soldiers Korean War Winter GIs - Part II

In terms of the poses, I like that all of them could be used in battle scenes and there's enough variety in the weaponry as well. Even the outfits have some interesting details. While most of them are wearing long coats, one of them is wearing a poncho over it, which reminds me very much of the sculptures at the Korean War Memorial in Washington DC. And then there's the guy who seems to be a sniper with what is most likely a white cammo suit on top. The figures are on the larger side of 1/32 (probably more like 1/30), but they will still go well with the TSSD Winter GIs. So all in all, I am not disappointed about having bought them. 

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Introducing the Soviet Cavalry

Many of us think that WWII was a war that was entirely mechanized. While tank units and motorized units did play a key role in the front line and also logistically, the horse was just as important. Germany used them abundantly to pull guns, field kitchens, supply wagons, etc. The Soviet Union however, also used horses for mounted cavalry units. In reality, they were used to provide faster mobility to the troops, and were rarely used to ride into battle. Machine guns made that too costly, or rather suicidal. Occasionally when the enemy had been routed, the cavalry might have pursued and fought on horse, but most of the time, they fought as dismounted cavalry. The Soviet Cavalry Corps during WWII were really a combined arms unit. In addition to the core component of men and horses, they also contained tanks, armored cars, howitzers, anti-tank guns, anti-aircraft guns, mortars, machine guns units, making a mobile force with quite a bit of punch. Having men on horses enabled them to keep up and protect the tanks, and together they were used to exploit gaps in the front line, as was done when the Germans were stopped outside of Moscow, or at the end of the Battle of Stalingrad when the German 6th Army was encircled. The Soviet Union had 13 Cavalry Divisions when Germany invaded in June 1941. By year's end, it had expanded them to 82 divisions, each division consisting of 3000 men. Throughout the war, they ended fielding 26 Corps, with each Corp having a minimum of 2 divisions. Some of these units were made up of Cossacks, which had a tradition of being skilled riders and fierce fighters. By the middle of the war, shortages of horses led to the disbandment of many of these cavalry units, but a few remained in place through the end of the war and even participated in the battle of Berlin. In terms of plastic Toy Soldier figures representing this branch of service, there weren't any until recently. Let's take a look. 

Engineer Bassevich Soviet Cavalry

Finally a Soviet Cavalry set. Unfortunately, we only got 4 figures. Three of them seem to be on the march or on parade. One of them is charging at some imaginary enemy. The level of detail on the figures is nice and the sculpting and detailing is good. For example, the medals on the officers gives them a very nice touch, and I also like the mustaches on them. My main criticism about this set is that the choice of poses doesn't really allow to create a real fighting force. It almost feels like it might have been better to not have the charging man and at least have another man riding in formation. In terms of the horses, they come in two varieties. The two larger horses are galloping. The other two are shorter and trotting. Going back to the poses, I think one galloping horse would have been adequate for the charging man. The other three riders just needed the trotting horse. The second galloping horse ended up getting a rider who seems too relaxed for the situation. Anyhow, It's good to finally have some representation for these figures. Hopefully we'll get some more sets / poses in the future, but I am not very optimistic about that. 

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Click here to see a post about the Maxim MG.