I try always to come up with something new and out of the mainstream ..... "that is away from the mass manufacturers from mainland China" .....and at the sametime support the small businesses...So with Obee´s help, a lot of historical data digging and photo scanning...I was able to start putting together a nice Jäger ( English version Jaeger ) battalion....:salute::
The initial troops coming from down under comprises of a mortar section ( a nice mittlere Minenwerfer 76mm )...these mortars could fire in a high angle mode as well as a low angle flat trajectory mode (in both instances with the trail stuck on for better stabilization). Adding to that a section of smart Jäger infantry section ready for inspection on parade ground, and finally a heavy machinegun section ( partially set up...still missing the ammo carriers ).
Note: A nice aspect to point out usually missed, in the detailing of many when considering a Jäger soldier in marching order with his back pack on is that these back packs were very interesting, unike to them, and not replicated by any other German troop in WW1.....
the flap at the back of the pack was made out of a badger head!{eek3}:smile2: See pictures for details. Detail missed by all that have launched a Jäger troop to this date.....^&grin
To achive these sets, I have spent over a year collecting ideal WW1 German soldiers from several manufacturers ( some still trading - scale link and others that no longer trading ).Having harvested the sets, they were then sent down under and placed in the production plans.
Hence, there is more to come....once the prposed sets are completed I will have a crack forward troop batallion to crash against my Tommy troops......
" The Jäger battalions represented only a small proportion of the Imperial German Army, the Jäger ( hunters ) nevertheless carried a prestige far transcending their actual number. Basically of light infantry character and of an independent and largely volunter nature, they represented an élite image such as the modern paratrooper bears in relation to the orthodox infantry.
Specialising in difficult terrain, often well in advance of the main body, the Jäger excelled in a skirmishing capacity, operating on a more roving and independent basis than the conventional infantryman, and combining all the attributes of the hunter with that close affinity with nature that only the professional foresters acquires.
Unike in many ways, the Jäger called his rifle a Büchse ( carbine ) rather than a Gewehr ( rifle ), his bayonet he termed Hirschfänger ( Hunting Knife ) and he carried instead of the conventional infantry pack a Dachs or badger.....In the early stages of the war the Jäger maintained their traditional advanced scouting tactics, often in close co-operation with the cavalry, inflicting ' bee stings ' rather than engaging in heavy pitched battle, but with the stagnation of trench warfare they became increasingly committed as normal infantry with most of more mobile troops transferred to the Balkans or Eastern areas where there was more space to maneuver and maintain a fluid war..." ( H.Kinna and D.A.Moss in Jäger & Schützen Dress and Distinctions 1910-1914 )......
