Minifigure – Royal Italian Army Infantry Squad WWII

Group Identification: WWII Royal Italian Army Infantry Squad

This image displays a set of four custom-printed building block minifigures representing a combat squad of the Royal Italian Army (Regio Esercito) during World War II. All four figures are outfitted in the light tan/khaki Sahariana tropical uniform, identifying them as soldiers fighting in the harsh desert environments of the North African Campaign (Libya, Egypt, Tunisia). They all feature the classic Stella d’Italia (Star of Italy) on their red collar tabs, a historic national symbol for regular Italian armed forces.

Here is a detailed, one-by-one breakdown of the figures:

1. Top Left: The Squad Commander

• Specific Name: WWII Royal Italian Army Officer (with Beretta M34)

• Visual Details: This figure wears a tan Bustina (the traditional Italian peaked garrison cap) instead of a helmet. His face is clean-shaven, projecting strict military discipline. Over his tunic, he wears a brown leather Sam Browne-style belt (a waist belt with a single cross-strap), which is a universal symbol of a commissioned officer. He is holding a small, dark grey pistol.

• Historical Background: Italian officers led their men through some of the most grueling desert combat of the war. Because their primary role was to command rather than engage in long-range firefights, they were issued sidearms for close-quarters self-defense. The weapon he holds represents the Beretta M34, a highly reliable and robust 9mm pistol that was standard issue for Italian officers and highly prized as a captured souvenir by Allied troops.

2. Top Right: The Assault Soldier

• Specific Name: WWII Royal Italian Army Submachine Gunner (with Beretta MAB 38)

• Visual Details: This soldier wears the standard domed M33 Steel Helmet. He has a rugged face with a printed goatee. His most distinctive uniform feature is the black, diagonal chest rig—historically known as the “Samurai” bandolier—designed to hold long stick magazines. He is armed with a detailed submachine gun featuring a wooden stock and perforated barrel shroud.

• Historical Background: This figure represents an elite shock troop (Bersaglieri or paratrooper). The weapon is the Beretta MAB 38, widely considered one of the finest submachine guns of WWII. Because standard rifle pouches couldn’t hold its long 40-round magazines, the Italian military developed the specialized diagonal “Samurai” chest rig for rapid reloading during assaults.

3. Bottom Left: The Heavy Support Soldier

• Specific Name: WWII Royal Italian Army Light Machine Gunner (with Breda 30)

• Visual Details: Wearing the M33 helmet, this figure features a gritty, unshaven face with a cigarette hanging from his mouth. He wears a simple cross-strap and a large black utility pouch on his right hip. He is wielding a massive, heavy machine gun equipped with a bipod and a distinct side-feeding mechanism.

• Historical Background: This soldier provides the suppressive firepower for the squad. The weapon represents the Breda Modello 30, the standard light machine gun of the Italian infantry. While crucial for laying down high volumes of fire to cover advancing riflemen, the Breda 30 was historically notorious for jamming in the fine desert sand of North Africa due to its complex lubrication system.

4. Bottom Right: The Standard Infantryman

• Specific Name: WWII Royal Italian Army Infantry Rifleman (with Carcano)

• Visual Details: Worn under an M33 helmet, this soldier has a neat, standard-issue mustache. He is equipped with standard infantry webbing: black leather Y-strap suspenders and two distinct black dual-ammunition pouches mounted on his front belt. He holds a long, wooden bolt-action rifle.

• Historical Background: The rifleman was the backbone of the Italian military. The weapon he carries is the Carcano bolt-action rifle (likely the M91/38). Despite suffering from poor strategic leadership and over-extended supply lines, the average Italian infantryman fighting with this rifle showed immense resilience and bravery against heavily armored British and American forces in the scorching desert.