Soviet Airborne Squad

Soviet Airborne Squad

The Soviets were visionaries in the development of airborne troops and tactics, first forming a brigade-sized airborne unit in December 1932 after successful trials. More units followed, and by June 1941, five airborne corps existed in the Soviet order of battle, undoubtedly the strongest airborne force in the world. However, in the desperate fighting of the early campaign, these formations were pressed into service as regular infantry and virtually consumed.

Airborne troops were eventually dropped in battalion strength during the defence of Moscow in December 1941 and January 1942. A whole corps (the 4th) was operationally dropped in February 1942 but survived six months behind German lines without achieving its objectives. The crisis at Stalingrad then drew in all available airborne troops to fight again as regular infantry.

Soviet airborne troops always fought with immense courage and verve, but they lacked heavy anti-tank weapons and were poorly supported in every operation they attempted.

Contains 10 metal Soviet Airborne figures:

• NCO with SMG
• 4 Paratroopers with SMG
• 3 Paratroopers with Rifles
• 2-man LMG team
• Plastic Base

Models supplied unassembled and unpainted.