This image displays a toy minifigure representing a U.S. Army Ranger Anti-Tank Gunner from World War II, specifically equipped for the D-Day invasion of Normandy.
The figure is depicted wearing the distinctive Ranger Assault Vest. This sleeveless vest was a unique piece of gear issued to Rangers for the D-Day landings (June 1944). It featured large pockets on the chest and stomach designed to carry heavy loads of ammunition and grenades, replacing the standard backpack for the initial assault. He wears an M1 steel helmet covered with a camouflage net to break up its outline.
On his left arm, the Blue Diamond Patch with a gold border clearly identifies him as a member of the elite 2nd Ranger Battalion. The figure is armed with the M1A1 Bazooka, a portable, shoulder-fired anti-tank rocket launcher. The set also includes a separate M6 Rocket projectile accessory.
Historical Background: The U.S. Army Rangers were elite shock troops trained for amphibious assaults. On D-Day, they were tasked with destroying German coastal defenses at Pointe du Hoc and Omaha Beach. Because the Rangers were landing light without heavy artillery support, the Bazooka was their primary defense against German tanks and armored vehicles. It was a revolutionary weapon for its time, allowing a single infantryman to stop a tank. The Ranger Assault Vest shown on this figure is historically significant; it was found to be uncomfortable and hot, so most Rangers discarded them shortly after the invasion, making this specific “D-Day look” very distinctive to that specific battle.
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