Description

This minifigure represents a German Afrika Korps Submachine Gunner of the Deutsches Afrikakorps (DAK), the German expeditionary force commanded by Field Marshal Erwin Rommel in North Africa between 1941–1943. The Afrika Korps was deployed to support Italy’s faltering war effort and became renowned for its rapid manoeuvre warfare in the deserts of Libya, Egypt, and Tunisia.

Equipped with the MP40 submachine gun, the DAK gunner was ideally suited for close combat in desert towns, trenches, and sudden ambushes among dunes and rocky terrain. The MP40, firing 9mm rounds from a 32-round magazine, offered high mobility and a fast rate of fire, making it invaluable in the fast-moving desert campaigns where armoured units, infantry, and aircraft had to coordinate under punishing heat.

The uniform is accurate to the desert theatre: light brown/tan tunic and trousers designed for the harsh climate, supplemented with goggles to protect against blinding sun and sandstorms. The iconic M41 tropical cap, often adorned with the eagle insignia and national cockade, completes the look. Soldiers carried field gear including water flasks, ammunition pouches, and entrenching tools — critical in an environment where supply shortages often decided the outcome of battles.

Afrika Korps troops fought in key engagements such as the Siege of Tobruk (1941), Battle of Gazala (1942), and the legendary Battle of El Alamein (1942). While Rommel’s troops earned respect for their skill and toughness, logistical challenges and the eventual Allied control of the Mediterranean sealed their fate. By 1943, the Afrika Korps surrendered in Tunisia, marking the end of German ambitions in Africa.

This minifigure shows one of the gritty desert fighters who operated in one of the most unforgiving theatres of the Second World War.

Includes 1 x German Afrika Korps Submachine Gunner minifigure disassembled and 1 plastic replica MP-41 submachine gun.

Pcs: 9

Age rating: 14+