Some really nice looking figures and models there.
I like the some of the choices of models. Don't know how much variety there was in available supply to the modeller, but the 100mm Howitzer figures in my own Italian forces, and oh how I would love to find a source for the AS.37 truck (as shown here)in my scale (6mm). So also I like the radio with the hoop antenna – a VERY iconic Italian piece of kit, which I need to kit-bash up for my Italian forces.
What appears to be missing, though, are machine guns.
The Breda M30 LMG, the gun which might reasonably claim the title of "best reason to praise the BAR", was present at a rate of 4 per platoon in normal infantry formations, and at a minimum rate of 2 per 20 man section. Only the Bersaglieri (or the later period AS.42 infantry organization) had the more conventional 1 LMG per squad, 3 squads per platoon organization that other armies tended to use (assuming this is not a Bersaglieri unit, as there appears to be only one feathered helmet in the set). It appears that there may be one soldier, advancing at a crouch, carrying a Breda. No close-ups, but maybe. But alas, the nature of this weapon was such that it could not be fired from almost any reasonable standing position, needing to to have it's for end resting on the bipod as on each shot the barrel recoiled with the bolt for a short bit, and there was no form of for-grip of any sort.
But there are certainly none of the somewhat iconic Breda or Fiat-Revelli MMG/HMGs, which I would expect to be popular among skirmish forces. And also no Brixia 45mm mortars, which I would also expect would be popular.
And in addition to the MGs, there are no AT weapons at all. No Solothurn ATR, and no 47mm AT gun. Gonna be a sad bunch of fucillieri when a Mk VIb (or even a Bren Carrier) shows up.
I do like the variety in uniforms.
There is a nice bit of variety in the headgear between the normal M35 helmets, the sun helmets, and the bustina caps. I also see at least one M44 NCO's beret, a rare item for Italian figures (in my experience). And it appears that a couple of the bustinas are modelled with the visor down, giving them a look almost like an Afrika Korps sun cap, which is a nice effect. But there are a few that look like they are wearing Russian ushankas, I'm not sure if these are just figures borrowed from Russian infantry sets, or a Russian interpretation of what other armies must have worn in headgear, or a data point on Italian headgear that I need to go off now and understand. In any case, so much variety gives a lot of character to the force.
And I like that there are a few continental blouses / jackets among the tropical kit. There's a idea that which I can apply to my own forces.
I do have one question, though. I see it often in wargaming infantry forces, but really wonder if it is appropriate to WW2 gaming, or just a hold-over among those who also do Napoleonics or ACW, and that is … the flag. Did WW2 infantry forces actually have flag-bearers in combat? I know that there are a fair number of pictures of flag waving in the Red Army, but I wonder if that is more a matter of propaganda images. I can't recall ever seeing flags, even with the Red Army, in pictures from the German side. Or for any other armies in WW2.
OK, Red Army on the Reichstag, I'll believe it. And with the USMC on Mt. Suribachi. Major objecties, long fought over, highly visible, of significant morale value. But in your run-of-the-mill skirmish? Anyone else find this … dubious?
All in all a very nice find, which is quite interesting to one who has a WW2 Italian force in the collection. (At least, to THIS one…)
-Mark
(aka: Mk 1)
