See what’s in the set…
German Panzergrenadiers Set 2
From MiniArt
1/35th scaleModels
Kit No #35484
Four figures & three sprues of weapons & equipment included. See what is in the set in our preview…
MiniArt’s new 35th scale “German Panzergrenadiers Set 2”
Four figures & three sprues of weapons & equipment included…
The Subject: German Panzergrenadiers in WWII
During World War II, Panzer divisions were crucial to the German Army’s success, consisting of both fast-moving light tanks and powerful medium and heavy tanks. Panzergrenadiers were created to provide infantry support, and they rode in armored vehicles into battle. The concept was an attempt to return the Prusso German military tradition that had hampered rapid movement of forces during World War I. Heinz Guderian, the German military theory expert who helped develop Panzergrenadiers by addressing challenges in delivering infantry by truck rather than on foot. The Spanish Civil War led to the development of the Sd.Kfz 251, a lightweight and affordable half-tracked armored vehicle. This half-track offered good off-road performance and could keep up with tanks, making it an essential part of the Panzer division’s infantry component.
Panzergrenadier-Division Grossdeutschland on the Eastern Front
On July 5, 1942, these infantry units were renamed Panzergrenadiers, simplifying the command chain by classifying them as armoured units instead of infantry units. In 1943, due to equipment shortages, many motorized divisions were reclassified as Panzergrenadier divisions, providing them with tanks and assault guns or anti-aircraft elements.
Colourized photos of German Panzergrenadiers taking a ride on a Sturmgeschutz III Ausf.G (Sd.Kfz.142 / 1), Eastern Front, 1943.
However, the Panzergrenadiers also experienced a decline in effectiveness due to lack of resources and attrition, sharing in the general decline of the German Army towards the end of the war. The concept of Panzergrenadiers has provided valuable lessons for contemporary infantry forces, many of which now use Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFV’s).
The Kit:
A second part to MiniArt’s recent Panzergrenadiers series, this set also gives the modeller four figures from their recently sculpted range and three sprues of accessories, gear and weapons to accessorize your soldiers.
Although this is not a special edition kit, the set comes with several sprues (three) of weapons and equipment to suit German late WWII soldiers. One sprue houses just the equipment, with the M43 helmets, gas mask cannisters, flasks & entrenching tools, bayonets, bread bags and ammo pouches
The second sprue comes filled with MG42 parts, with the gun, ammo belt, bipod in extended or folded status.01001010Lastly, a plethora of weapons and ammo – Mp-40s, Kar.98s, a Walther & flare pistols, pistols in pouches and open pouches to show a removed pistol, ammo for all of these, map pouches, knives and an ammo box. Three sprues contain almost everything that a German WWII Soldier would have in his pocket.