New Afrika Korps sodliers at rest from D-Day Miniature Studio...

D-Day Miniature Studio has a few new figure sets & accessories for us this month. We have already seen some great roadsigns & Fallschrimjager in Italy - Today we look at a scene filled with the Afrika Korps the subjects. We look at the time, the scene & the figures in our preview...

New Afrika Korps sodliers at rest from D-Day Miniature Studio...

Pawel Krasicki from D-Day Miniature has several new sets and single figures available for sale that capture the hottest of battlefields, in more ways than one. North Africa & the Afrika Korp are the stars of this set & single figures. We will look at them, but first a little about the scene...

The Afrika Korps in North Africa during WWII

The Afrika Korps campaign during World War II was a pivotal chapter in the history of warfare. Led by the charismatic General Erwin Rommel, the German Afrika Korps proved to be a formidable force in the unforgiving deserts of North Africa. This campaign, waged primarily against the British Commonwealth forces, spanned from 1940 to 1943 and left an indelible mark on the war. In 1940, Germany launched an offensive in North Africa with the aim of securing vital resources and disrupting British supply lines to the Middle East. General Rommel, known as the Desert Fox, was tasked with leading the Afrika Korps to achieve these objectives. Under his command, the German forces swiftly advanced through Libya and captured the key port city of Tobruk in 1942.

German panzer 3 crew of the Afrika Korps, turret mark shows the crew claimed to have shot down a RAF aircraft on 16 May 1941. These crew are wearing very similar gear to our figures...

This is a group of AfrikakorpsSchützen (or Panzergrenadiere, as mechanized infantry were renamed in July 1942) they are wearing much of the same gear as our figures. They are seen having a moment of rest under the shade of a truck after a victorious clash with British forces (note the Valentine tank in the background).This is a heavy machine-gun team made up of veterans, with notably worn and faded uniforms, just like the sculptor has portrayed his two tank men.

However, the tide turned at the pivotal Battle of El Alamein in 1942. British General Bernard Montgomery launched a well-coordinated offensive, decimating the German defenses and forcing them into a retreat. This battle marked a turning point in the campaign, heralding the beginning of the end for the Afrika Korps. Over the next year, the conflict settled into a stalemate as both sides struggled to gain the upper hand in a harsh and challenging environment. British reinforcement and increased support from the United States, including the arrival of General George S. Patton's forces, tilted the balance in favor of the Allies. The Afrika Korps was gradually pushed back, and by May 1943, it surrendered in Tunisia, signaling the end of the campaign.

A group of German Deutsche Afrikakorps (DAK) water supply unit pumping water from drums into jerrycans

The Afrika Korps campaign was characterized by innovative and daring tactics employed by General Rommel. He utilized rapid armored assaults, feigned attacks, and mobile defenses to keep the enemy off-balance. Rommel's skill in maneuvering his forces often compensated for the German troops being outnumbered and outgunned. The campaign also brought significant hardships to both sides. Brutal desert conditions, scarcity of resources, and supply issues plagued soldiers on both sides. However, the tenacity and resourcefulness of the men involved, earned admiration from both allies and adversaries alike.

Seen next to his Panzer III, these three tankers wear tropical field blouses, the shorts made popular in the theatre and the flat overseas forage cap.

Uniforms and gear of the Afrika Korps

As a result of the approaching German entry into the North African campaign in late 1940, Tropical uniforms and gear were swiftly created and distributed in time for the Deutsches Afrika Korps, (German Africa Corps), personnel's arrival in Tripoli in February 1941. Eventually, forces stationed in southern regions of continental Europe would receive these tropical uniforms. Although they were made of a different material and colour and followed different basic wartime alterations, the field-grey continental uniforms' pattern was basically followed by the tropics supplied uniforms. Officers and some high NCO levels were given clothing allowances under the army's Kleiderkasse (Clothing Account) system because they had to buy their own uniforms.

A colorized photo of a German solider wearing the Afrika Korps uniforms with a pith-style helmet.

Officers and some senior NCOs had the option of purchasing their uniforms from the military's clothing depots or shopping privately for better-quality apparel. Enlisted members were allowed to acquire privately fitted uniforms even though the cost would have been prohibitive, even if they were provided their uniforms from government suppliers. Although officers had to buy their own uniforms, it appears that most of the tropical field blouses were provided by military clothing depots rather than being purchased privately. As a result, officers frequently wore the same field blouses as EM/NCOs with the addition of an officer's insignia.

The M41 tropical field cap was introduced in early 1941 and design of the cap was loosely based on the Mountain Troopers, Bergmütze with minor variations. 

A mix of German tropical helmets – the soldier on the far right is trying on an Italian M-28 sun helmet with German helmet shields 

A PzKpfw III's crew tank having a rest outside their vehicle. Worth noting are the heavily sun-bleached uniforms (indicating their status as veterans) and the large number of canteens carried on the back of the tank turret.

The Long sleeve shirt (Hemd)

The hot and arid climate of North Africa made wearing long pants impractical, so the DAK soldiers wore shorts as a practical solution to keep cool. Additionally, shorts were considered more comfortable and less restrictive in the desert terrain. Below are the (Tropen Kurze Hosen) Tropical short pants & the short tropical lace-up boots.

Soldiers often entertained themselves with any musical instument they could bring with them or buy in Africa. This piano accordian looks very much like the one used in this set...

The Figures:

Sold as singles, two pairs and a s a set of four figures, these new 1/35th scale figures from D-Day Miniatures look pretty good from the painted up versons we have seen. Here they are now...

DAK Soldier Nord africa 1941-43

by D-Day miniature studio

Kit No #35241

1/35th scale

Sculptor & Box art: Pawel Krasicki

One resin figure included 

Net Price: €18 Euro

Seen bracing himself standing at ease with his hands in his pockets, this soldaten looks pretty much like any standard soldier from the DAK that I could think of. His peaked M41 cap, tropical feildblouse, socks pulled high over his high boots and shorts, he looks very much the part. He has a hard face, was it from listening to piano accordian every night?

DAK Soldier Playing Accordion Nord africa 1941-43

by D-Day miniature studio

Kit No #35242

1/35th scale

Sculptor & Box art: Pawel Krasicki

One resin figure included 

Net Price: €18 Euro

Is this figure the equivalent of a dude playing a guitar at a party? I hope this guy's playing and the soldier's rest time is nicely effected here. Thi ssoldier looks very nice, as he perches himself on top of a wooden box as he plays his tune. 

Africakorps Soldiers at Rest Vol.I Nord africa 1941-43

by D-Day miniature studio

Kit No #35243

1/35th scale

Sculptor & Box art: Pawel Krasicki

Two resin figures in this set

Net Price: €18 Euro

These two are kicking it layin gback and enjoying their break time. One is seen playing his piano accordian while his comrade is seen hands in pockets, legs spread at rest listening. Who knows what the playing sounded like? No ttoo bad as I can't see any wincing in the nicely sculpted faces of the onlookers.

DAK soldier with a Shovel North Afica 1941-43

by D-Day miniature studio

Kit No #35244

1/35th scale

Sculptor & Box art: Pawel Krasicki

One resin figure

Net Price: €18 Euro

Can you dig it? This guy can, he looks like he is having a cigarette break with the art between his fingers, and the shovel poised at his side, unused andmore of a leaning pole than anything. Everyone deserves a well-earned break don't you think?

DAK Soldier with a Parasol Nord Africa 1941-43

by D-Day miniature studio

Kit No #35245

1/35th scale

Sculptor & Box art: Pawel Krasicki

One resin figure

Net Price: €18 Euro

Looking like he hasn't a care in the world, this DAK Soldier is seen carrying a parasol (umbrella) while he looks on to the scene before him. Hand in his shorts pocket with his thick tunic on and hiding under shelter, this soldeir tells us of the varied climates in the North Western desert at any time of year. Hot days and freezing nights.

 Africakorps Soldiers at Rest Nord Africa 1941-43

by D-Day miniature studio

Kit No #35246

1/35th scale

Sculptor & Box art: Pawel Krasicki

The set contains two unassembled resin figures

Net Price: €35 Euro

Sold as a pair at a slightly cheaper price, these two were selected as they suit each other in gear & body language.

 "Desert Song" Africakorps Soldiers at Rest Nord Africa 1941-43

by D-Day miniature studio

Kit No #35247

1/35th scale

Sculptor & Box art: Pawel Krasicki

The set contains four unassembled resin figures

Net Price: €69 Euro

Sold in a set of four, these Deutsche Afrikakorps figures in 1/35 scale go very well together in body language, subtle changes in gear and clothing. They look like they are actually interacting with each other, which is lost on many figure makers nowdays. They are sold in this set at a slightly cheaper price than buying them all singularly. A very nice looking set.

If you would like your own copies of these figures, you can order them via the D-Day Miniature Studio website.