Minifigure – German Army (Heer) machine gun assistant from the World War II (LEGO Compatible)

This image displays a toy minifigure and an accessory, representing a German Army (Heer) machine gun assistant from the World War II era.

The figure is depicted in the classic German infantry uniform. He wears a dark grey Stahlhelm (steel helmet) with the Wehrmacht eagle decal. His tunic is the iconic M36 model, distinguished by its field grey (Feldgrau) color and dark bottle-green collar.

His specific role as a member of a machine gun team is identified by the belts of machine gun ammunition (MG-Gurt) draped over his shoulders and Y-straps. This was a common way for the Number 2 gunner (assistant) to carry extra ammunition, ready to feed into the squad’s MG 34 or MG 42 machine gun.

Although he is part of a machine gun team, he is shown with a toy replica of the Karabiner 98k (Kar98k) rifle. This was his standard personal sidearm for self-defense, as the machine gun itself was carried by the Number 1 gunner.

Historical Background: The German infantry squad’s combat doctrine was built around the machine gun. The assistant gunner was a vital role, responsible for keeping the primary weapon supplied with ammunition and assisting with barrel changes, ensuring the team could provide continuous, devastating fire. This figure represents that crucial support soldier.