Soviet NKVD squad

Soviet NKVD squad

In 1941, the fortified borders of the Soviet Union were manned by units of the NKVD (People's Commissariat for Internal Affairs). These units were almost completely annihilated in the first weeks of the campaign. Afterwards, NKVD troops were mainly used for internal security, but could potentially also fight at the front, as in Stalingrad in 1942 and during the Crimean Offensive in 1944.

In the normal course of operations, NKVD troops established "blocking positions" directly behind the front line to push back fleeing troops with machine gun fire if necessary. NKVD checkpoints at bridges and road junctions monitored all traffic behind the front and were sometimes disguised as bridge-building or road repair crews to intercept unauthorized movements. In 1943, the SMERSH agency (an acronym from the Russian for "Death to Spies") was founded as a separate department of the NKVD to carry out these tasks.

The figures in this set can also be painted to represent the border guard units with their distinctive green caps.

Contains 10 Soviet NKVD metal figures:

• NCO with SMG
• 4 men with SMG
• 3 men with rifles
• 2-man LMG team
• Plastic bases

Models are supplied unassembled and unpainted.