Calvin Tan and John Rosengrant have teamed up to create the newest Alpine Miniatures figure in 1/16th scale. The subject is a US 3rd Identification “Rock of the Marne”, WWII infantryman. We look at the figure & the unit in our preview…
Preview: 1/16th scale US 3rd ID, “Rock of the Marne” from Alpine Miniatures…
US 3rd ID, “Rock of the Marne.”
From Alpine Miniatures
Sculpture by John Rosengrant
Box Art by Calvin Tan
Figure no. #16046
Shipping on Dec. 10.
.jpg)
Alpine Miniature’s latest 1/16th sculpt is from John Rosengrant, with the box art painted by another master, Mr. Calvin Tan. In our preview, we have photos of the resin kit assembled and painted. We also provide information about the 16th-scale figure. The 3rd Infantry Division fought in North Africa, Italy France and Germany for 531 days, resulting in significant losses. It ended its war at the Eagles Nest in Berchtesgaden, Germany in May 1945. The name “Rock of the Marne”, which comes from WWI when the 38th Infantry Regiment defeated the German assault near Mezy in France across the Marne River, in July 1918. This division quickly captured the French half of Morocco and marked a significant victory for this region. The division then launched a landing assault on Sicily eight months later. They secured key towns, and raced to capture Messina to bring the Sicilian Campaign to an end. Three white stripes on the insignia represent three of the major World War I campaigns that were undertaken by this division. Blue represents loyalty, sacrifice and the defence of American values. The insignia was originally approved in 1918 and has undergone two amendments since then.
Following the invasion of mainland Italy, the division landed at Salerno on September 18, 1943, and drove through Italy, crossing the Volturno River and reaching Cassino. The division then took part in an amphibious landing on Anzio, January 22, where they faced fierce German counterattacks. Lucian Truscott took command of VI Corps and led the division to the end of May when it pushed towards Rome. However, this decision allowed enemy forces to escape, and the division was subsequently removed from the front line and trained for Operation Dragoon, the invasion of Southern France.
Infantrymen of 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment (3rd ID) depicted near Bult, France, 11th November 1944.
On August 15, 1944, the division landed at St. Tropez, advancing through the Rhone Valley and the Vosges Mountains, and reaching the Rhine at Strasbourg on November 26-27, 1944. This division maintained defensive position, cleared Colmar Pocket and attacked Siegfried Line positions to the south of Zweibrucken. The 3rd Infantry Division continued its push, taking Augsburg and Munich on April 27-30, before being in the vicinity of Salzburg when the war ended. The 3rd Infantry Division continued its push, taking Augsburg and Munich on April 27-30, and was in the vicinity of Salzburg when the war in Europe ended.
.png)
A photo taken on May 4, 1945, shows the U.S. 3rd Infantry Division arriving at the Berghof, Adolf Hitler’s home, near Berchtesgaden, along with the French 2nd Armoured Division.
Elements of the 7th Infantry Regiment captured Hitler’s retreat at Berchtesgaden in May 1945. The 3rd Infantry Division was involved in combat for 531 days in a row, with 4,922 deaths in battle, 18,766 injuries, and 636 wounds. The division’s battle honours for World War II include:
.jpg)
Algeria-French Morocco
Tunisia
Sicily
.jpg)
Naples-Foggia
Anzio
.jpg)
Rome-Arno
Southern France
Rhineland
Ardennes-Alsace
Central Europe
During World War II, the 3rd Infantry Division earned 39 Medals of Honour–more than any other division in the Second World War. Audie Murphy was one of the members of this division. She appeared in Hollywood’s “To Hell and Back” as a Medal of Honor winner. This movie featured the song “Dogface Soldier”, which was performed by this unit. This division served also in the Korean War.
US troops of the 3rd infantry, in front of a patrol near the Imjin River during the Korean Conflict. 17-April-1951. Although we assume this figure is from WWI, it could well be used to represent a Korean-conflict soldier.
The new figure from Alpine Miniatures:
This figure was sculpted by John Rosengrant. John Rosengrant is an excellent sculptor who fits perfectly with Alpine Miniature. John has an amazing talent for capturing the spirit of the figures without making it obvious that they are his. We mean that they appear more realistic than style-based. It’s a compliment. He sculpts faces that are very realistic, but they also show different emotions to other people. For example: “Rock of the Marne” is the US 3rd ID.
From Alpine Miniatures
Sculpture by John Rosengrant
Box Art by Calvin Tan
no. #16046
.jpg)
Shipping on Dec. 10.
This figure, like all of Alpine’s creations, is supplied with two helmet choices. Both bare M1 and M1 netted helmets are available. Liner and suspension of the M1 helmet were based on a modified Riddell football helmet. In June 1941, the M-1 helmet went into production. This helmet is offered “bare” without any camo covering and also with the mesh netted covering, which could hold foliage in it for camouflage.
The soldier’s expression is that of a grim man, looking into the near distance; his face is really well detailed and in proportion. The cleft-chin of the soldier and his glum face go well with this winter clothing, which was beautifully painted by Calvin Tan. This soldier’s scarf highlights the wintery setting in which he is placed. With this choice of head, you can view him in all directions. His open-leg posture and M1 Garand over his left shoulder give him an eager, but patient, pose. The clothing, wrinkled and creased, makes the feel of this sculpture worn and well-used.
You will notice the jacket of the soldier pinned below the bandoleer of M1 ammunition to feed his M1 Garand rifle. This was the main weapon of most U.S. troops during World War II. The rifle fired.30-06 rounds from an 8-round clip. A paratrooper would typically have 136 total ammunition rounds. It had a maximum range of 440 yard but was still capable of doing damage at distances exceeding 1,000 yards. The Garand’s semi-automatic fire was what made it so powerful. He is seen holding his rifle in his right hand casually as he gestures with his left hand, so you would think this is a soldier behind the front line in his mannerisms.
He is not short of ammunition, with a khaki
webbed canvas
FigureU.S. M23 Cartridge
ten-pocket ammunition belt, as well as the
M23 Rifle Cartridge WWII Springfield M1 Garand 10-pocket canvas ammunition belt bandolier.
.jpg)
Versions of the reproduction ammo pouches and bandoleers are below. The version of the bandoleer with a bare helmet follows, followed by another view from all sides. You notice on this corporal’s left-hand sleeve the single stripe and the unit’s blue and white badge, painted expertly on the hemlet also by Mr. Tan.
.jpg)
On the sides and rear of his belt, the soldier has the M43 entrenching tool with a wooden handle & folding & locking steel head, an M42 flask with a canvas cover over a Bakelite bottle, and a M42 field dressing pouch.
.jpg)
His pants are of the same material as his field jacket; these are tucked in to the US Army double buckle boots, seen clearly here with the twin straps to tuck the trousers into. The kit will be shipping next week on December 10th. You can purchase it from Alpine Miniatures. You can purchase all of this from the Alpine Miniatures
