Minifigure – Estonian volunteer soldier who served with the German military 20th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (1st Estonian) during World War II (LEGO Alternative)

This image displays a toy minifigure and an accessory set, representing a soldier of the 20th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (1st Estonian), a unit of Estonian volunteers that fought alongside Germany in World War II.

The figure is depicted in a German Waffen-SS M43 service uniform. This consists of a field grey (Feldgrau) tunic and trousers, dark combat Y-straps with a belt, and a dark grey Stahlhelm (steel helmet).

His specific affiliation is identified by his insignia and the provided text:

• SS Collar Tabs: The tunic’s right collar tab clearly features the double sig runes which was the standard insignia for non-Germanic Waffen-SS divisions like the 20th Estonian.
• Text: The text “N626 Estonia” at the bottom explicitly identifies the figure’s intended representation.

The set also includes several accessories:

• A Karabiner 98k (Kar98k) rifle, the standard-issue bolt-action rifle for German forces during the war.
• An M43 field cap (Einheitsfeldmütze) featuring the distinctive Waffen-SS insignia (an eagle above a Totenkopf, or “death’s head”).
• A brown cylindrical item, likely representing a map case or equipment canister.

Historical Background: The 20th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (1st Estonian) was formed in 1944, primarily from Estonian men who volunteered or were conscripted to fight against the Soviet Union, which had occupied their country in 1940. Many Estonians saw Germany as a means to fight for the restoration of their national independence from the Soviets. The division fought fiercely on the Eastern Front, most notably in the Battle of Narva (1944), in an attempt to defend their homeland from the advancing Red Army.