British Infantry, 1943–1945

Caesar Miniatures 1:72 Scale Figure Review

British Infantry, 1943–1945, 1:72 Caesar H055.

Caesar Miniatures‘ British Infantry of World-War Two ranks among the best 1:72 scale miniatures on the market. The artistic quality of the sculpting is on par with Airfix‘ 8th Army, 2nd edition British Commandos, or British Paratroops, and the historical accuracy is even better.

Contents

40 Figures in 12 Poses – 23.5 mm equal 169 cm Height

  • Scottish Officer in »tam o’shanter« (1)
  • Corporal with Sten SMG, kneeling (4)
  • Corporal with Sten SMG, running (4)
  • Corporal with Sten SMG, throwing Hand Grenade (4)
  • British Sapper with Flamethrower, Portable, No 2 (4)
  • № 1 PIAT with Projector Infantry Anti-Tank (2)
  • № 1 Bren with Bren LMG, prone, firing (3)
  • British Rifleman, at attention (3)
  • British Rifleman, marching (3)
  • British Rifleman, advancing (4)
  • British Rifleman with Mk.3 Helmet, standing, firing (4)
  • British Rifleman with Mk.3 Helmet, kneeling, firing (4)

Evaluation

Excellent choice of subject. Caesar British Infantry in Battledress, with 1937 Pattern Web Equipment, and Brodie helmets offer perfect poses for wargames and dioramas.

There are only 18 riflemen in this set, not nearly enough to raise a full-strength British infantry platoon. The imbalance may be corrected by recruiting riflemen from other figure sets and transferring surplus submachine gunners to the Commandos. For the Commando conversion, simply replace the steel helmet with a beret or cap, comforter by swapping heads.

Most of the infantrymen are wearing the Mk.1 or Mk.2 helmet which was gradually replaced by the M.1944 Mk.3 “Canadian” helmet and the M.1945 Mk.4 “Turtle Shell” helmet with removable liner. The two firing riflemen are already wearing the Mk.3 helmet. The officer‘s tam o’shanter may be converted to a caubeen (bonnet, Irish, green) or General Service Cap, both of which look like oversized berets.

British Infantry, 1943–1945, 1:72 Caesar H055.

No. 1 is ready to fire the PIAT, but he is holding the weapon incorrectly with only one hand. Small Arms Training, Volume 1, Pamphlet No. 24, Projector, Infantry, Anti-Tank explains how it must be done properly: “Hold the projector firmly into the shoulder with the left hand either over the webbing gaiter or grasping the front of the trigger guard; place the thumb of the right hand behind the trigger guard grip and the first two fingers on the trigger. Aim as taught.”

“After firing, No. 1 will observe the flight of the bomb. No. 2 will reload immediately, first making certain that the spigot is not showing. Owing to the limited range of the weapon, quick reloading is essential in case the first bomb misses the target.” Since there is no No. 2 in this set, wargamers may want to recruit the Airfix British Infantry PIAT gunner for this vacant position instead.

British Infantry, 1943–1945, 1:72 Caesar H055.

The soldiers are wearing the 1940 Pattern Battledress Blouse with fly front, pocket pleats and concealed buttons, instead of the 1940 “Austerity” Pattern Battledress Blouse with exposed front, pocket and cuff buttons, introduced in 1942.

British Infantry, 1943–1945, 1:72 Caesar H055.

While the infantry set of the 1937 Pattern Web Equipment is modelled correctly, only three of the 15 poses are actually wearing Battle Order with Belt, Braces, Small Pack, two Basic Pouches, Bajonet Frog and Scabbard, Entrenching Tool Carrier, and Water-Bottle Carrier. The other men are in Light Fighting Order, without the Small Pack, which would need to be modelled with Green Stuff or Modeling Wax to make these miniatures compatible with other 1:72 scale British Infantry.

Historical Employment

  • British and Commonwealth Infantry, 1943–1945

Possible Conversion

  • British Commandos with Berets, 1943–1945
  • Indian Infantry with Turban, 1943–1945

Caesar Miniatures‘ British Infantry is an excellent choice for wargamers and miniature collectors alike.

British Miniatures of World War Two