Minifigure – German Wehrmacht Infantry Squad Leader (or Assault Trooper) from the early stages of World War II (LEGO Compatible)

This image displays a toy minifigure representing a German Wehrmacht Infantry Squad Leader (or Assault Trooper) from the early stages of World War II (1939–1940).

Uniform & Appearance:

• M36 Field Tunic: He wears the iconic M36 Uniform, distinguished by the Dark Bottle-Green Collar which contrasts with the field grey (Feldgrau) tunic. This high-quality uniform was standard during the early “Blitzkrieg” campaigns.

• Trousers: He wears Stone Grey (Steingrau) trousers, historically accurate for the pre-1940 period.

• Boots: He wears tall black leather Jackboots (Marschstiefel).

Headgear:

• M35 Stahlhelm: He wears the M35 steel helmet with Double Decals, a key feature of early-war figures.

  • Right Side: The National Tricolor Shield (Black, White, Red).

  • Left Side: The Wehrmacht Eagle (Heeresadler).

Combat Gear (The Key Difference): Unlike the standard rifleman (MT65), this figure is equipped for close-quarters combat:

• MP40 Pouches: On his chest, he wears long, vertical magazine pouches. These were specifically designed to hold the 32-round stick magazines for the MP40 Submachine Gun.

• Grenade: Tucked into his belt is a Model 24 Stielhandgranate (stick grenade), famously known as the “potato masher.”

• Backpack: The back printing details the standard infantry marching pack with Y-straps, gas mask canister, mess kit, and canteen.

Historical Background: Although the text labels him a “Schütze” (Private), historically, the MP40 submachine gun was typically issued to NCOs (Non-Commissioned Officers) who served as Squad Leaders. The combination of the automatic weapon pouches and the grenade identifies this figure as the leader of an infantry squad (Gruppe), directing fire and leading assaults during the invasions of Poland and France.