FeR Miniatures: Red Army Junior Lieutenant, Barbarossa, 1941

Sculpture: Pedro Fernández
Painting: Jaume Ortiz
Material: Resin
Number of parts of the kit: 2
Scale: 1/16

Operation Barbarossa was the code name assigned by Adolf Hitler to the invasion plan of the Soviet Union by the Axis forces during World War Two. It started on June 22th, 1941 and opened the eastern front of the war. This front became one of the most complex theatre of operations of the war and witnessed some of the greatest and most brutal battles of the conflict in Europe.

After the victorious campaigns in western and northern Europe, the German Army was extremely confident and enthusiastic. The motorized columns of the Wehrmacht gained way to the heart of the Soviet union in few weeks. Only the ruthless Russian winter would manage to put a halt to the offensive.

Our captain or “Hauptmann” wears an “alte art” schirmmutze, also known as “crusher cap”. In campaign, officers used to remove the inner reinforcement band of the cap to give it a more worn appearance. The M36 feldbluse is privately tailored, something usual in officers. The red piping on the cap and rank insignia indicates Artillery, but can be painted in any other branch of the army. Also, he sports a Wounded Badge, a first class Iron Cross and the ribbon of the second class Iron Cross.