DML 1/35 scale ?39-?45 Series Kit No. 6196; German Anti-Tank Team (France
1940); 75 parts in grey styrene; price about $6.98Advantages: Good figures of early war German infantry; weapons are a nice change
Disadvantages: Somewhat static poses
Rating: Highly Recommended
Recommendation: for all German fans, especially Blitzkrieg period
DML has now produced a set of relatively rare German soldiers from the 1940 period, Until the Germans found out ? as did everyone else, especially the British with their 0.55 caliber Boys antitank rifle ? that antitank rifles could no longer be used as squad or platoon level tank destroyer assets, they used the Panzerbuesche 39 heavy antitank rifle. While lighter and introduced in
1939, this was basically not much different from the WWI vintage 13.2mm heavy antitank/anti-material rifle and was fitted with 10-round box magazine, two spare magazines mounting on the sides of the weapon in ready racks.Like sniper teams, the antitank teams operated in teams of two ? a gunner and an assistant gunner/spotter who also carried extra ammunition. But nearly from the first it was found that these weapons were not able to penetrate the armor of most tanks (even at that time) and were not good for much except anti-material operations against softskins. This was one incentive that led to the development of the much simpler Panzerfaust rocket-propelled grenades later in the war.
DML provides two teams in the box ? one on the march and on in position with the spotter in action. Detail as always is good, and the Pz.B 39s are nicely done as well.
Overall this is standard good fare from DML and will liven up some dioramas for German fans.
Thanks to Freddie Leung for the review sample.
Cookie Sewell