Hi to all ,

In this very special anniversary year of the start of the horrors of WW1 ,with trench warfare being a particularly type of fighting that caused the opposing armies to develop troops .

Pathos Miniatures have released a sculpt depicting a member of the German stormtroopers .



Let have a bit of background on these troops :

Uniforms and protective-ware of the storm troopers
Initially the storm-trooper uniform was the standard M1910 feldgrau tunic and trousers, Pickelhaube leather helmet (but with a detachable spike), black leather belt, pouches, back pack and jack-boots. A new simplified uniform in dark grey was issued from 1915 onward, but the old feld grau uniform remained in circulation until the end of the war. Paradoxically, as the storm-trooper units increased in number and strength the regulation jack-boots were replaced by the combination of ankle boots and cloth puttees long favoured by the British Army. Although the French were first with the general distribution of their mild steel Adrian steel helmet in 1916, the German M1916 Stahlhelm 'coal scuttle' helmet was designed in 1915 expressly for the storm-troopers. Made of silicon/nickel-steel, it gave protection to the neck and face that the British 'Brodie' forged steel helmet lacked. Various formats of body armour and protective shields were evaluated for the use of storm-troopers and other front-line troops such as machine-gunners and snipers. In practice they were generally found to be too cumbersome and more trouble than they were worth in the more mobile actions of the Battle Zone. However, the snipers' loops were widely used with great success in the early years of the war as the British had insufficient high explosive shells to deal with them. Also, the amour breast-plate was widely issued to certain particularly vulnerable cadres such as aforementioned machine-gunners and snipers.

Arms used by the storm trooper
Carbines and pistols: As early as 1915 the shorter K.98 carbine was issued to the early storm-trooper units in preference to the longer and more cumbersome Mauser M1898 rifle. Unlike the British and French army, rapid firing pistols of the Luger P08 and Mauser C96 types were routinely issued to NCOs as well as officers.

Hand-grenades: Large quantities of both the stick M1915 Steilhandgranate and, from 1916, the egg-shaped Eierhandgranate hand-grenades were provided to the storm troopers as a prime small-arm to be widely used in the clearance of both strong-points and trenches. Sandbags were frequently modified to allow the individual storm trooper to bodily carry very large quantities of these grenades directly into battle.

Hand-grenade launchers: The storm troopers greatly enhanced the range capabilities of their hand-grenades with a purpose-built 40kg Grenatenwerfer (Grenade-thrower) that was introduced in 1916. Its light and ready portable structure was ideal for the storm-trooper style actions.

Mortars: From the earliest days of the war The German Army heavily relied on the deadly effect of the mortar – Minenwerfer - and found them particularly effective in trench warfare as their high and steep trajectory more readily penetrated the open trenches and their associated dug outs. Accordingly, operational storm-trooper units always had their own specialised mortar teams.

Machine-guns: As was the case with all the belligerents at the outbreak of hostilities in 1914, the existing heavy and bulky machine-gun was rated as a relatively minor weapon in both offense and defence: the volley from massed infantry rifle-fire was considered as the principal 'shock' infantry weapon. The British in particular relied on the 15 aimed rounds a minute volley – 'The British Mad Minute' - for maximum stopping effect on the battle-field.

Once the extraordinary efficacy of the machine-gun became apparent as trench warfare took hold, the numbers were rapidly increased in all armies. Accordingly, serious thought was given as to how these weapons could be best deployed by the storm-troopers and it quickly became evident a light, ready portable, machine-gun was essential. As early as 1915, the standard heavy machine-gun MG08 had become modified, but it still weighed over 60kg in full operational state. By late 1916, an even lighter version, the MG08/15, was widely introduced in the German Army, but it still was a hefty 20kg, without any ammunition. So it required a strong and fit soldier to carry it far and wide over the shattered battle-field.

The storm trooper clearly required an even lighter and more portable version as already existed in the form of the 10kg Danish Masden light machine-gun, of which the German military had already ordered some numbers, and was to use on the Somme in 1916. The BEF also already had its excellent 15kg Lewis gun and the Germans were not loath to modify and use captured material. The French had a less robust model – the Chauchat –, which was also bought in large numbers by the Americans. The Germans storm troopers eventually got their super-light machine-gun in the form of the Schmeisser MP18 submachine-gun; prototype versions were captured by the British on the Western Front as early as 1916. However, it was not available in large numbers until after the German Spring Offensive in 1918. But at least 3,000 are said to have been used on active service in 1918.

Light artillery: Whilst the specially designed 1915 Krupp Sturmkanone did not meet it operational expectations, other light versions of artillery were utilised by the storm-trooper units. In 1916, a converted 7.62cm calibre field-gun was adopted and over the years became the standard equipment in the storm trooper units. Another 7.7cm calibre gun was specially adapted to be manhandled on the battle-field and using armour-piercing rounds was used in an anti-tank role.

Flame-throwers: Special units were created from 1915 onward to deploy this German initiative on the Western Front. Elements of these specialist flame-thrower teams were integrated into the storm-trooper units using the smaller back-pack based Klief flame-thrower devices.
The men who served and died in these units considered themselves an elite ..they were IMO , fit , dedicated and looked up to by other troops often being given better rations and facilities but giving all in their missions .
They normally wore little excess with weapons being ready and grenades often carried in sandbags , often in these were found a taste of normaility giving the soldier something not connected with the horrors surrounding him ...a unit mascot maybe .a dog or perhaps a cat !!!
Badges were also seen after completion of the intensive and often dangerous training ...extolling the elite nature of these troops...although these were often removed when in the line .

Much is to be found in particular at many military museums ie: Imperial War Museum in the UK

with books being available of course ..here is a selection but by no means exhaustive.
Continued in next post:

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Now lets look at the piece itself:

Release details are as follows:

Title: German Trench Raider

Scale 1/10 (8 cm height)

No of Pieces: 15 pieces in Review box (2 different options for helmet and dog)

Material: Resin

Sculptor :Nick Gizelis

Box Art :Roberto Ramirez Gutierrez

Casting BY :YS Castings

As with other releases from Pathos the packaging is a very sturdy cardboard box , parts being held secure in bags (4 in total) and all which were wrapped in bubble wrap, on the box top we see the completed model as painted by Roberto as seen in previous post

Parts consist of the main torso , the head, the helmet, the right arm, , 2 grenade bags, 2 grenades, 3 straps, trench knife handle, right hand with pistol, the pistol magazine ...and last but not least the little dog.

Starting with the biggest piece of resin ..the torso , prep needed was just the sanding off of a remnant of a casting plug from the underneath , the torso is angled , cut just below the waist belt, the casting is as expected from YS really smooth , the left upper arm is sculpted on (angled at the bottom) In the belt we have a scabbard of the trench knife waiting the handle being fixed on.

The buckle of the belt is depicted if a little soft but painting will bring this details out ....variations of this have been seen ...

Our soldier has been rewarded with the ribbon of the Iron Cross , this is worn proudly on his tunic .

Sculpting is soft with good folds being seen , the collar is folded down , plain with no insignia, epaulettes are present (these could be painted with insignia if wished). The collar/neck area is very clean ready to receive the head.

The head now , this has been cast with a frown, very serious , hair swept back , the hair texture is good , facial features are defined well particularly the ears , prep involved was just a swipe round with a sanding block then fit into the neck area of the torso is clean.

The face has a scar sculpted on the left lower cheek , this man has been in close combat , for me personally I am not too keen on the scar but with care could be removed ..perhaps another optional head might be a future suggestion...when I paint my version I think I will also add a moustache as seen in many archive pictures.



Now onto the helmet: Prep needed was the careful use of a sanding block at the back edge , be careful not to loose the very fine casting , the shape of the helmet is of course distinctive with the lugs on the side , this sculpt and casting is IMO really accurate , fit onto the head is tight and actually looks like its being worn , it changes the character of the model , on the insides we have the attachment points for the straps.

The helmet could of course be left plain or painted in the distinctive camo pattern seen (many variations occur)

We also have the chin straps this is delicate and will need careful removal from the former (top right piece in picture) , it is cast in the shape of the face and fits well .

Continued in next post:

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There's more !!!!!

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Lets move on to the remaining pieces .....

The Right arm now: this is sculpted bent at the elbow with the distinctive deep cuffs seen as in picture above , the arm has an excellent fitment lug that locates into the corresponding cut out in the torso , the sleeve is very well recessed to take the hand securely.



Now the hand this is holding the pistol , prep needed was the sanding down of a casting line on the underside of the wrist , the hand is well sculpted and formed with a nice touch being rings on the fingers ..how did he get these ....found no doubt during a raid ..once the personal item of an enemy now long dead and now adorning the hand of a hard fighting man ...bit gruesome for some but I am sure this sort of thing happened.

On the review piece the barrel was slightly bent this was easily straightened buy simply rolling it between my fingers (using body heat!!)



The magazine is a good touch , this weapon was often used by these troops . as it allowed more ammunition to be carried and available, an additional stock was also seen as in the picture.



We also have the 2 sacks (normally sandbags were used as these could store a good supply of grenades and other items) ., these are both well sculpted with them looking like they are full of stuff, one of the bags has 2 grenades in upside down with the bottom being well treated(the 1916 Type) ....the other has a area to put the dog in . .We are also given 2 extra grenades that can be used as you wish (seen in picture above)

All that we have to fit now are the grenade bag straps these are as with the chinstrap very fine and delicate so be careful ...you could use modelling sheeting if you prefer.



Soldiers of all combatants used and adapted all types of hand weapons including trench knives , often with hand guards used themselves as a weapon (knuckleduster..viscious in all respects)

We have the handle to fit onto the scabbard on the torso , removing the fine flashing first ..this looks really good when in place .

Finally we have the little dog he is designed to fit into the grenade bag ..this guy is tiny , a real mutt found no doubt wandering ..perhaps he is being kept to keep the rats at bay in the putrid conditions of the "safety" of our soldiers trench during a rest period. It is a nice touch adding a dog but I am not sure if it would have been carried into a raid (he has his pistol at the ready) ..or maybe its an enemys dog that he has found and rescued...you do not of course have to use it and could use the 2 grenades included instesd with suitable conversion..or why not add the top of a trench club.......

Final thoughts,

A nice piece from Pathos , some will not be keen on the scar or the dog but the choice it is up to you if you use this ,,,presentation is as always well thought out , casting good if a little soft in some area's ..the model has the potential for conversion (adding rank etc to the collar (perhaps in the Bavarian style) ....a good addition in a year when we all remember the horror of WW1.

For more information why not go to the website www.pathosminiatures.com
or contact them at : pathosminiatures@gmail.com

I would say visit the website and also have a look at previous releases but also have a look at the way this bust was digitally sculpted ..nice idea Pathos .

Just to end the review enjoy the box art again:

Thanks for looking in

Nap

Hi Guys ,
Thanks for the posts ..giving our bust the Bavarian award ribbon would make a nice change from the Iron Cross ribbon .

Great pictures Ulrich and link as well Roger

Nap