Minifigure – German/Bavarian Dispatch Runner (Meldegänger) with Field Cap from World War I (LEGO Compatible)

The Figure: The “Bohemian Messenger” (1916 Dispatch Runner)

This toy minifigure represents a German/Bavarian Dispatch Runner (Meldegänger) from World War I, specifically depicting the historical persona often referred to as the “Bohemian Corporal” (a reference to Adolf Hitler during his service in the Great War).

• Headgear: The figure wears the classic German Field Cap (Feldmütze or Krätzchen). It is grey with a red band and piping, which was the branch color (Waffenfarbe) for the Infantry. It features two small cockades (rosettes) on the front: the top one representing the German Empire (black-white-red) and the bottom one representing the specific state (e.g., Bavaria’s white-blue).

• Uniform: He wears the standard Field Grey (Feldgrau) Tunic (M1915/16).

  • Iron Cross: A crucial detail is the Iron Cross 1st Class printed on his left breast. Historically, this was a rare award for an enlisted soldier (a Gefreiter), but Hitler famously received it for his work as a messenger.

  • Equipment: He wears the leather “Y-Harness” webbing and standard Ammunition Pouches (for the Mauser rifle).

  • Collar: The collar features green patches, common for certain units or NCOs.

• Legs: Instead of the early-war jackboots, he wears Puttees (leg wraps) and ankle boots. This confirms the 1916 dating, as leather shortages forced the army to switch to puttees mid-war.

• Back Equipment: On his back, he carries the essential kit for a runner: a Canteen (Feldflasche) and a canvas Bread Bag (Brotbeutel) for rations.

• Face: The face print features a heavy mustache (typical of WWI soldiers before the “toothbrush” style became popular) and a scar or smudge on the left cheek, depicting a weary, battle-hardened soldier.

Historical Background: The term “Bohemian Corporal” (Der böhmische Gefreite) was a derogatory nickname later used by President Paul von Hindenburg to mock Adolf Hitler, mistakenly believing he was from Bohemia (he was actually from Braunau, Austria). During WWI, dispatch runners (Meldegänger) had one of the most dangerous jobs in the war. They had to leave the safety of the trenches to run hand-delivered messages across open ground under heavy artillery and machine-gun fire when telephone lines were cut. This figure represents that specific role in the Bavarian Reserve Infantry Regiment 16 (the List Regiment).