Luftwaffe Tanker -- 1/16 scale

[Custermen]

This is my first post to this forum.  So I want to start out by saying I don't model German tanks nor soldiers as a hobby and I don't collect Nazi stuff.  For a long time, I have searched for a kit of this specific German officer's uniform but there are none to be found.  The figure I wanted to portray is an Officer of the Herman Goring Division wearing the wrap-around tanker jacket with Luftwaffe visor cap and shirt and pants.  I just thought this uniform was very odd; and who knew the Luftwaffe wore tanker uniforms with their own insignia.  I also had another reason I wanted to paint this figure. My Dad's division came up against the HGD at the Battle of Monte Fiore just before they reached Rome.  

 

During the COVID Shutdown, I was getting cabin fever.  I decided it was time to get out my paints and see if I could still paint either a 54mm figure or a larger 1/16 figure.  I decided on this figure. 

 

This is a Photo of Lt. Karl Rossman wearing the Knight's Cross and the Iron Cross 1st Class and the ribbon for the Iron Cross 2nd Class.
These officers are wearing the black tanker jacket with Luftwaffe insignia and the Blue Herman Goring armband.  They also wear the light blue Luftwaffe visor cap & insignia. 
Note he is wearing glasses. I really wanted to build some glasses for my figure. 

 

 

 

The figure I found was a Tamiya Army Tanker in 1/16 scale.  I was expecting it to be a resin but it was plastic.  It came with extra equipment: a map case, a pistol holster and I think a binocular case.  The figure was designed so the soldier is wearing a glove on his right hand and holding his left glove, while his left hand is in his pocket.  

Here are two different paint schemes of the Army Officer; with and without the binoculars.

 

The HGD Tank crewmen wore the normal army short black Panzer wrap jacket.  A variety of mixed uniforms can be seen in photos including Waffen-SS camo smocks over black Panzer trousers or black Panzer jackets over blue-grey Luftwaffe trousers.  If the uniforms were confusing mixture of Army, Waffen-SS and Luftwaffe, three items still distinguished them from all other field units: the collar patches, shoulder straps and arm band.  It was rather odd to see HGD enlisted troops wearing camo smocks with the contrasting white collar tab.  The Luftwaffe also issued a set of medals similar the Army’s medals but cast with the Luftwaffe eagle, such as Infantry Assault Badge.  Officers were seen wearing the black jacket with grey or Luftwaffe blue-grey pants and topped with a blue Luftwaffe visor cap.  

There are many photos that show the uniforms worn by the officers of the HG Division. One officer, Oberleutnant Karl Rossman, has been documented in many photos. Most officers wore a grey riding pants and high boots. Whereas, the Tamiya figure has baggy pants. After some searching, I found a color image of blue-gray Luftwaffe baggy pants which I tried to replicate for my figure. I find it interesting that one of the photos of Lt. Rossman shows him standing in almost the exact pose as used with this Tamiya figure.

 

Herman Goring Division Officer

I finished the figure by removing the glove from his right hand and placing the binoculars in that hand.  This would allow me to use the binoculars but not cover up his insignia on his chest.  

Figure posed with the German binoculars my Dad brought home.  My main concern was how to paint a realistic black leather jacket without getting too dark.  I bought a shade of Vallejo acrylic paint that would give the right shade of Dark Gray.  I also made the cobblestone street from scratch.

 

My resources.  Again, I only collect the books related to Italian Campaign and uniform colors.
Osprey Men-At-Arms booklet, a Vanguard Booklet and a book on the HGD division.

 

 

 

 

 

Battle of Monte Fiore.

The Allied forces launched their attack on 11th May 1944 to breach through the German defenses along the "Casino Front".  By 1st June 1944, the 2nd Panzer-Grenadier Regiment of the HGD had ceased to operate as a unit. The 85th Division were pulled out of their position and placed in the line to relieve the US 3rd Division.  The next day, Herman Goring Division launched a counter-attack using six(6) Panzer Mark IV tanks.  My father’s battery, the 328th Field Artillery of the 85th Division, played a role in this action when their forward observation post spotted the tanks circling around Monte Fiore and warned the 339th Regiment.  

The following is a summary of the narrative of the Operational Report of 339th Regiment, 85th Division.

 

“On May 31st, the U.S. 85th Division launched an attack north from Lariano, Italy, as part of the II Corps drive toward Rome on the right flank of the U.S. Fifth Army (see map). The division was joined by the 3rd and 88th U.S. divisions, as well as an assortment of other smaller units. Blocking the way was the Herman Goring Parachute Panzer Division, rushed to the area by Field Marshall Albert Kesselring to close a gap developing along the boundary between the German 10th and 14th Armies. Two "CusterMen"(85th Custer Division)  who were in the van of the attack recalled a sharp counterattack by panzers of the HG division several days later.

  On June 2, the U.S. 339th Regiment of the Custer Division was committed to the battle and drove northward with the objectives of Mt. Fiore and Hill 571, a few kilometers southeast of the hilltop village of Rocca Priora (see detailed map). The regiment’s June 1944 Operations Report gives only a high-level overview of the day’s activity, but the journal of the 910th Field Artillery, paints a more detailed picture.

. . . .

At 0655 (6:55 a.m.), Capt. Edward l Nesvig, liaison officer from the 910th FA to 2nd Battalion/339th Infantry, confirmed the objectives for the day and that the regiment would advance in a column of battalions. The 2/339th would follow elements of the U.S. 337th Infantry northward for several kilometers, then branch off and take Mt. Fiore (Hill 733 – map coordinates 985 532).  1st Battalion/339th would follow behind the 2nd Battalion and seize Hill 571, about 1,000 yards to the south of Mt. Fiore.

   The American offensive started that date with six battalions* of artillery and elements of the U.S. 337th Infantry pushing north. However, German scout cars and infantry slowed the advance. By 0825, Capt. Nesvig reported that the 2/339th, following the 337th, was on the move north from the line of departure at map location 001 499 (three kilometers south and 1.5 kilometers east of the objective). It was rather slow going, with 2/339th advancing only 700 meters northward by 1030.  Capt. William McCall, liaison officer from the 910th FA to the 1/339th, reported the 1st Battalion had only reach the 51st grid line by 1335. The attack gained momentum, however, and the 339th infantry reached its objectives by early evening, with the 2nd Battalion reported on Mt. Fiore at 1749 and the 1st Battalion securing Hill 571 by 1818.

   However, the Germans were not done fighting for the day. The 328th FA Battalion (Code Name: "History", supporting the 337th Infantry) around noon alerted the 910th FA that German tanks were spotted in a draw just north of Mt. Fiore. The Germans opened an attack at 2010, emerging from the draw and wheeling around the west side of Mt. Fiore, driving along a road in a valley that separated the mountain from Hill 571 and splitting the American forces. “Counterattack on Mt. Fiore,” the 910th FA Journal reports. “Six tanks between (Mt. Fiore and) Hill 571.”

 

* (The reference to 6 battalions of artillery is too high.  Maybe it mean 6 batteries.)

 

Map shows Monte Fiore denoted with an Orange triangle.  

Hill 571 is the hill that 1/339 Regt is crossing in their advance.  

Town just off the map to the North is ROCCA PRIORA.  

[Proud Kraut]

Welcome to the modeling section, Custermen!

 

Awesome figure. Perfect painted uniform details, medals, skin parts and a decent use of dirt for the trousers and boots. Well researched and excellent photographed, I´d call it a perfect made 1/16 HGD figure. Thanks also for adding the history of the Monte Fiore battle!

 

As I posted before, really looking forward to see more of your work here at the modeling section!

[Connor1941]

On 11/30/2021 at 8:18 PM, Custermen said:

This is my first post to this forum.  So I want to start out by saying I don't model German tanks nor soldiers as a hobby and I don't collect Nazi stuff.  For a long time, I have searched for a kit of this specific German officer's uniform but there are none to be found.  The figure I wanted to portray is an Officer of the Herman Goring Division wearing the wrap-around tanker jacket with Luftwaffe visor cap and shirt and pants.  I just thought this uniform was very odd; and who knew the Luftwaffe wore tanker uniforms with their own insignia.  I also had another reason I wanted to paint this figure. My Dad's division came up against the HGD at the Battle of Monte Fiore just before they reached Rome.  

 

During the COVID Shutdown, I was getting cabin fever.  I decided it was time to get out my paints and see if I could still paint either a 54mm figure or a larger 1/16 figure.  I decided on this figure. 

 

This is a Photo of Lt. Karl Rossman wearing the Knight's Cross and the Iron Cross 1st Class and the ribbon for the Iron Cross 2nd Class.
These officers are wearing the black tanker jacket with Luftwaffe insignia and the Blue Herman Goring armband.  They also wear the light blue Luftwaffe visor cap & insignia. 
Note he is wearing glasses. I really wanted to build some glasses for my figure. 

 

 

 

The figure I found was a Tamiya Army Tanker in 1/16 scale.  I was expecting it to be a resin but it was plastic.  It came with extra equipment: a map case, a pistol holster and I think a binocular case.  The figure was designed so the soldier is wearing a glove on his right hand and holding his left glove, while his left hand is in his pocket.  

Here are two different paint schemes of the Army Officer; with and without the binoculars.

 

The HGD Tank crewmen wore the normal army short black Panzer wrap jacket.  A variety of mixed uniforms can be seen in photos including Waffen-SS camo smocks over black Panzer trousers or black Panzer jackets over blue-grey Luftwaffe trousers.  If the uniforms were confusing mixture of Army, Waffen-SS and Luftwaffe, three items still distinguished them from all other field units: the collar patches, shoulder straps and arm band.  It was rather odd to see HGD enlisted troops wearing camo smocks with the contrasting white collar tab.  The Luftwaffe also issued a set of medals similar the Army’s medals but cast with the Luftwaffe eagle, such as Infantry Assault Badge.  Officers were seen wearing the black jacket with grey or Luftwaffe blue-grey pants and topped with a blue Luftwaffe visor cap.  

There are many photos that show the uniforms worn by the officers of the HG Division. One officer, Oberleutnant Karl Rossman, has been documented in many photos. Most officers wore a grey riding pants and high boots. Whereas, the Tamiya figure has baggy pants. After some searching, I found a color image of blue-gray Luftwaffe baggy pants which I tried to replicate for my figure. I find it interesting that one of the photos of Lt. Rossman shows him standing in almost the exact pose as used with this Tamiya figure.

 

Herman Goring Division Officer

I finished the figure by removing the glove from his right hand and placing the binoculars in that hand.  This would allow me to use the binoculars but not cover up his insignia on his chest.  

Figure posed with the German binoculars my Dad brought home.  My main concern was how to paint a realistic black leather jacket without getting too dark.  I bought a shade of Vallejo acrylic paint that would give the right shade of Dark Gray.  I also made the cobblestone street from scratch.

 

My resources.  Again, I only collect the books related to Italian Campaign and uniform colors.
Osprey Men-At-Arms booklet, a Vanguard Booklet and a book on the HGD division.

 

 

 

 

 

Battle of Monte Fiore.

The Allied forces launched their attack on 11th May 1944 to breach through the German defenses along the "Casino Front".  By 1st June 1944, the 2nd Panzer-Grenadier Regiment of the HGD had ceased to operate as a unit. The 85th Division were pulled out of their position and placed in the line to relieve the US 3rd Division.  The next day, Herman Goring Division launched a counter-attack using six(6) Panzer Mark IV tanks.  My father’s battery, the 328th Field Artillery of the 85th Division, played a role in this action when their forward observation post spotted the tanks circling around Monte Fiore and warned the 339th Regiment.  

The following is a summary of the narrative of the Operational Report of 339th Regiment, 85th Division.

 

“On May 31st, the U.S. 85th Division launched an attack north from Lariano, Italy, as part of the II Corps drive toward Rome on the right flank of the U.S. Fifth Army (see map). The division was joined by the 3rd and 88th U.S. divisions, as well as an assortment of other smaller units. Blocking the way was the Herman Goring Parachute Panzer Division, rushed to the area by Field Marshall Albert Kesselring to close a gap developing along the boundary between the German 10th and 14th Armies. Two "CusterMen"(85th Custer Division)  who were in the van of the attack recalled a sharp counterattack by panzers of the HG division several days later.

  On June 2, the U.S. 339th Regiment of the Custer Division was committed to the battle and drove northward with the objectives of Mt. Fiore and Hill 571, a few kilometers southeast of the hilltop village of Rocca Priora (see detailed map). The regiment’s June 1944 Operations Report gives only a high-level overview of the day’s activity, but the journal of the 910th Field Artillery, paints a more detailed picture.

. . . .

At 0655 (6:55 a.m.), Capt. Edward l Nesvig, liaison officer from the 910th FA to 2nd Battalion/339th Infantry, confirmed the objectives for the day and that the regiment would advance in a column of battalions. The 2/339th would follow elements of the U.S. 337th Infantry northward for several kilometers, then branch off and take Mt. Fiore (Hill 733 – map coordinates 985 532).  1st Battalion/339th would follow behind the 2nd Battalion and seize Hill 571, about 1,000 yards to the south of Mt. Fiore.

   The American offensive started that date with six battalions* of artillery and elements of the U.S. 337th Infantry pushing north. However, German scout cars and infantry slowed the advance. By 0825, Capt. Nesvig reported that the 2/339th, following the 337th, was on the move north from the line of departure at map location 001 499 (three kilometers south and 1.5 kilometers east of the objective). It was rather slow going, with 2/339th advancing only 700 meters northward by 1030.  Capt. William McCall, liaison officer from the 910th FA to the 1/339th, reported the 1st Battalion had only reach the 51st grid line by 1335. The attack gained momentum, however, and the 339th infantry reached its objectives by early evening, with the 2nd Battalion reported on Mt. Fiore at 1749 and the 1st Battalion securing Hill 571 by 1818.

   However, the Germans were not done fighting for the day. The 328th FA Battalion (Code Name: "History", supporting the 337th Infantry) around noon alerted the 910th FA that German tanks were spotted in a draw just north of Mt. Fiore. The Germans opened an attack at 2010, emerging from the draw and wheeling around the west side of Mt. Fiore, driving along a road in a valley that separated the mountain from Hill 571 and splitting the American forces. “Counterattack on Mt. Fiore,” the 910th FA Journal reports. “Six tanks between (Mt. Fiore and) Hill 571.”

 

* (The reference to 6 battalions of artillery is too high.  Maybe it mean 6 batteries.)

 

Map shows Monte Fiore denoted with an Orange triangle.  

Hill 571 is the hill that 1/339 Regt is crossing in their advance.  

Town just off the map to the North is ROCCA PRIORA.  

Awesome figure and great painting on the figure!