W.W. 1 German Trench Raider

[Squeemie Ellis]

Hello all
hope everyone's holiday was all that you hoped for and that your upcoming New Year is all that you hope for.
Many moons ago, Ron Hinote of "Little Generals" fame, concoted a 90mm figure of a German Trench Raider, complete with a shield on his left arm and a large "stick grenade" in his right. My question is, is that shield a legal addition to his armament? or was that a figment of Ron's fevered imagination?. if its o.k to givea raider, such a shield, I'd like to know, because i'd like to add it to MY rendition of a trench raider. That neeevvveerrrr seems to get finished. Although I have made progress with his head and helmet. Anything was better than the original head YIKES!!. Any help would be appreciated. By the way Phil, if you read this, the mauser and the holster for it, that you so kindlly sent to me, work/look just great!. I'm trying to figure out what to do with his mauser rifle and the big shovel on his back though. I may cut the shovel down and convert it to smaller version, as they used small shovels, and such, as hand to hand weapons. good place for displaying blood!!.
Thanks in advance for anybody's help,
Regards,
Ben Harper (trench raider in another life)

 

[Dan Morton]

Ben - I believe your specific question boils down to "Is it reasonable to assume that a German trench raider may have carried a personal shield of some kind?" I believe the answer is yes. Most likely it would have been improvised, not manufactured. To the best of my knowledge German industry didn't produce one. German units had plenty of experienced blacksmiths who could have fashioned one if he had a piece of high manganese hardened steel.

- Sniper shields. These were just heavy plates of steel with a vision slot. Mostly flat, some with angled, wrap-around sides. Produced in large numbers. Frequently these were embedded in a trench or sap.

- Body armor - Infanterie Panzer (infantry armor). This was designed to stand up against small arms fire 550 yards away but was best against shrapnel. The type shown in the Verlinden figure model is just one. This was issued 2 per company in June 1917. It weighed 32 lbs.

- Face shield for snipers. This was actually strapped to the head. Very unpopular, unsuccessful and not produced in large numbers.

From my references, only the sniper shields were used in large numbers.

References - Dominating the Enemy by Anthony Saunders and WWI 1918 Philip Haythornthwaite.

 

[Squeemie Ellis]

Thanks so much Dan, I'll go ahead and start making one up from scrap plastic.
Many thanks and happy New Year to you and yours!,
Best Regards,
Ben

 

[Dan Morton]

Right back at ya, Ben! I have a pretty good WWI library and find such questions intriguing. Always happy to help and I look forward to seeing your figure!

If you come up with one that stumps you again, consider the Great War Forum. Those guys are incredible! They actually get into heated arguments over these kind of questions!!!! Cool, huh?
All the best,
Dan