On the Battle of the Bulge question, there is also this photograph of US paras of D Company, 2nd Batallion, 504 PIR, 82nd Airborne, photographed on or about the 21st of December 1944 somewhere on the road from Rahier to Cheneux, in the area of La Gleize and Stoumont. So, these were the kind of men who stood firm against Kampfgruppe Peiper.
At least two and probably more para's in this picture are dressed exactly like the new Alpine figure, with a raincoat. Two men are wearing the wool greatcoat. The weather from 16 to 25 december in the Ardennes in the La Gleize area was cold and rainy, with lots of mud on the roads.
No snow, that was later, in Bastogne. In La Gleize the snow started falling when Peiper and the Leibstandarte had gone. The 82nd AB fought as infantry in the Ardennes and was uniformed and equipped accordingly.
Anyway, this picture is interesting reference material for those who want to display this soldier as a GI in the Ardennes.
Note that the 82nd had probably ben sent in a hurry to the Ardennes, as the men still had the M-43 uniform & boots they had been wearing in Holland in September 1944, their weapons, and a raincoat or a wool greatcoat; instead of haversacks and proper backpacks with their personal kit many if not all of these men seem to have wrapped their belongings in a hurry in what seems to be wool blankets or bedrolls tied with string. (not too difficult to add to this figure if you want)
