WWII 41st Armored Infantry Regiment BAR Gunner - Normandy 1944

Passing the 81st anniversary D-Day commemorations this year, I've had a lot of requests to revisit the series of D-Day inspired minifigures I've created over the years. With most of these past figures being based more so on popular culture and film, or just broader generalizations for MOC building, I wanted to take a departure and explore some variations like I've done so far with my collection of WWII US Marines. Rather than depicting the khaki clad, assault vest wearing, amphibious waves one pictures, this collection will explore the unique variations of uniforms and equipment issued out to specific units in Normandy and the modifications made as they fought through the summer. 

Following the lessons learned from armored combat in WWI, and interwar exercises, the US Army attached armored infantry regiments to each heavy armored divisions, to aid in protecting armored vehicles and providing forward reconnaissance. The 41st Armored Infantry Regiment, attached to the US 2nd Armored Division, landed at Omaha beach D+3 with the objective of securing the Cotentin Peninsula, and would go on to fight throughout Operation Cobra. Despite taking part in brutal hedgerow as well as urban fighting, and encircling both the 2nd SS Panzer Division and 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division, the men of the 41st would largely be remembered for their notable uniforms. 

This figure is a conglomerate of reference images because honestly, I really wanted to make a BAR figure and was struggling to find a dedicated reference image for a soldier in the 41st equipped with one. The 41st was part of a unique Quartermasters Department trial, issuing out newly developed army pattern frogskin camouflage uniforms to elements of the 2nd and 30th Infantry Divisions, as well as the 2nd Armored. This was in part to an already existing preference for the army's standard frogskin coveralls, widely issued for training in the US, but often retained for use in combat, as well as unique British made "sniper suits" created in frogskin fabric for reconnaissance units.

Contrary to popular myth, these uniforms were NOT reported to have led to any friendly fire incidents in Normandy, causing them to be withdrawn. This myth appears to have originated from actual friendly fire incidents between units of the 4th Infantry Division, mistaking the newly issued dark shade HBT uniforms for the similar color of German dark green HBT working uniforms they had encountered worn by POWs. Instead, the new army frogskin uniforms can be seen in original photos and film worn through the end of 1944, often just the jackets left as the trousers were worn out at a faster rate. The decision would be made not to replace the uniforms in Europe, as the Normandy sun would quickly bleach the HBT fabric bright, negating the camouflage, complications in already vast supply lines, and the need for those units to already use the standard wool uniforms during cool weather and nights. These two piece army frogskin uniforms would however live on, being issued more widely to army units fighting in the pacific where they were better suited for the warmer weather, and shorter field use, as well as being sold surplus to the rebuilding French military, going on to see infamous use by French paratroopers in Indochina. 

Beyond the obvious uniform, I've included several other trademark details of the 41st in this figure. Similar to my rifleman, he comes with the field modified M1928 haversack, with the pack cut off to utilize just the suspenders. The M1936 suspenders were only available to officers and crew members issued out the M1936 musette bag, forcing most members of a rifle company to contend with the much hated haversack. This resulted in the practice of cutting the pack itself off, allowing for them to just use the straps to help hold up their rifle belt. Because the pack has been removed, there's nowhere to store the modular "meatcan" pouch which was usually strapped to the front of it. This small pouch was designed to store the soldier's mess kit and utensils, separate from any spare clothing and personal items, in the event it was not cleaned and would otherwise spread grime. I've depicted the common practice seen in Normandy of these small pouches modified to fit over the back of the equipment belts, to create a convenient small storage bag. The mess kits themselves were usually one of the first items ditched in the field, as they served no use without access to a company field kitchen, and an army on the move living off of K-Rations only needed to save their spoon in a pocket to live off of rations. I'd like to think this soldier was particularly food motivated and decided to stick with his mess kit, but in most cases, the pouch became a convenient place to carry extra ammo, grenades, or confiscated French farm foods. 

Completing the figure is a brand new helmet, with art depicting the helmet net and "scrim" usually associated with paratroopers in Normandy. However, the camouflage scrim was issued to both the first invasion wave hitting the beaches, as well as specific units coming ashore later, at the discretion of their commanders. Originally a British practice, huge amounts of the camouflage burlap material was available to units staging in Britain for the invasion. It can be seen in use by just about every infantry division in France, fighting throughout the entire summer. 

Original Proof Copy - 1 of 1, first complete minifigure out of the printer. Signature by Landon Reimer, serial numbered, and sealed plastic collectors slab with Brick Warp artwork. 

Collectors Edition - Signed by Landon Reimer, serial numbered, and sealed plastic collectors slab with Brick Warp artwork.

Base Model - Complete figure in hand-stamped numbered case inspired by WWII era packaging. Unsealed. This packaging again, is hand-stamped and is not intended to look perfect. 

• Custom printed BrickArms M1 Helmet with net and scrim
• Custom printed minifigure head 
• Army HBT pattern frogskin two piece uniform (cuffed)
• M1937 BAR belt
• M1928 haversack field modified suspenders
• M1910 canteen cover with canteen
• M1910 meat can pouch (belt worn)
• M1938 army leggings 
• Type II army service shoes
• Inside leg army leggings printing
• Holographically sealed packaging (original and collectors edition) 
• Hand stamped WWII inspired packaging (base model) 

LEGAL INFO: This is not a LEGO® Product. LEGO and the LEGO minifigure are trademarks of the LEGO Group, which does not sponsor, authorize, or endorse this product. The LEGO Group is not liable for any loss, injury or damage arising from the use or misuse of this product.