The world’s first paratroopers to be used in large numbers, the German Fallschirmjager were at the tip of the spear when war broke out in 1939. They led daring assaults on strategic targets, such as the fortress at Eben Emael, enabling the following panzers to overrun Europe.

Germany Assault Pioniers were skilled at building all manner of fortifications, communications lines, tank traps and minefields. In addition to building useful structures, they were adept at the destruction of similar enemy positions, blowing railway lines and making roads unsafe for the enemy to travel along.

Always at the forefront of the fighting, the Waffen-SS were well-equipped, even as the supply of new materials and weapons became more of an issue for the Third Reich as Allied bombing campaigns pummelled German industry.

The Puma is, arguably, one of the best-looking armoured cars of WWII. A variant of the Sdkfz 234 it boasted a fully enclosed turret with a 5cm gun and thicker armour than other variants. Despite this additional armour the Puma was still capable of speeds greater than 50 miles per hour (that’s 85km) and saw use as a scout vehicle from 1943 onwards on both Eastern and Western fronts, as even the thickened armour didn’t offer much in the way of protection.

The Panzer Lehr Division (armoured training division) was built in 1943 from the veterans of the North Africa, Sicily and Italy campaigns. These highly experienced troops formed the core of this training and demonstration unit and as such was considered an elite formation from its inception.

German officers were capable and often experienced leaders. Junior officers were trained to undertake the role of their own immediate superiors, enabling them to use their initiative to take control of situations when necessary.

Specialist training bred hardened fighters and the Gebirgsjäger (mountain infantry) were regarded as elite alongside Fallschirmjager. Gebirgsjäger originated from the Alpenkorps of WWI, where they were used to defend the mountain passes from their Italian equivalent, Alpini.

Marrying the obsolete but reliable chassis of the Czech-built Pz 38(t) tank and the captured Soviet 76.2mm PaK 36(r) L/51 anti-tank gun, the Marder (Marten) provided the Wehrmacht with a potent self-propelled gun. These captured Soviet weapons were rechambered to accept German 75mm PaK 40 ammunition and avoid supply issues. As the war progressed, the main guns were replaced with the PaK 40 anti-tank guns.

German officers were capable and often experienced leaders. Junior officers were trained to undertake the role own immediate superiors, enabling them to use their intuition to take control of situations when necessary.

The men of the Kriegsmarine were often asked to do more than serve at sea. U-Boat and ship crews could be found in land actions in many theatres, wearing their trademark blue sailor’s uniforms or the grey-blue U-Boat leathers as they took the fight to the enemy.

The armed wing of the Nazi Party, the extremely well-equipped Waffern-SS were rightly feared by their opponents – both for their fighting ability and uncompromising ferocity.

Sent to bolster their beleaguered Italian allies facing the combined forces of the British Commonwealth in North Africa, the Deutsches Afrika Korps proved a dangerous opponent. Commanded by the legendary Erwin Rommel, the Afrika Korps fought a series of ferocious battles in Egypt and Libya as each side pushed the other to breaking point.

Containing a single Sd.KLfz 251/1 „neue” ausf D half-track, the 'Late’ version of the Hanomag, this easy to build, yet remarkably detailed, plastic boxed set gives your Panzergrenadiers mobility, a degree of protection and the supporting firepower of their MGs for and aft.

Panzergrenadier units in armoured half-tracks, trucks and field cars helped the infantry to keep pace with their armoured brethren. By the time of the invasion of Russia in 1941 the panzergrenadiers had equipped their troop leaders’ half-tracks with the standard anti-tank gun of the day – the 37mm PaK 36. By replacing the front machine gun with this useful light gun the panzergrenadier units could rely on a modicum of fire support as they charged swiftly across the battlefield, supported by their platoon’s personnel carriers.

Perhaps a more famous adaptation was the Opel Maultier „Mule” half-track. Introduced in 1941 following the dire Rasputitsa conditions of the Eastern Front that had brought the entire army to a stand still. This conversion, utilizing the track system of the obsolete Panzer I, gave the German army a very competent all purpose mover and it would see action through out the rest of the war.

A conversion of the SdKfz 251/1 AusfD with two flame projectors mounted on the sides designated 251/16. The 2 main flame projectors were backed up by the usual shield-mounted MG34 or MG42 and an additional portable (albeit still attached by pipe to the halftrack) smaller calibre flamethrower which could be used by dismounted infantry. The crew would don protective headgear from full hoods to heavy scarves and goggles. Plenty of conversion opportunities here!