In 1942, the 39th Militia Battalion defended this harsh trail leading through the Owen Stanley Range in Papua New Guinea from the might of the Japanese Empire. Badly equiped and mainly part time soldiers, they were disparagingly known by the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) as Chocco's. This meant they were chocolate soldiers that would melt away in the heat of battle. Well they did not and this range is our tribute to those Diggers.
The range will feature Militia, AIF infantry and support wepaons, and of course the Japanese forces.
We start with a 39th Battalion patrol through the bush, now here come the Japanese. Banzai!
In 1942 The Imperial Japanese Army was poised to invade Australia. With her commitments to he British Empire, many regular battalions of the Australian Imperial Force were overseas at this time. A Militia battalion, The 39th, had been sent to Papua New Guinea to build roads and dig latrines etc. They stode in the path of the much larger Japanese force and fought well beyond expectations stopping the Japanese threat and passing into Digger legend on The Kokoda Trail.
The battalion had deployed in Khaki drill battledress, some even in European verions. Some soldiers still wore WW1 pattern webbing. Some AIF personel were within the ranks and wore more pratical greens. Most 39th soldiers however, stood out in the jungle.
Our figures represent the mix of uniform and equipment.
This set AUS01 is a 39th Militia Battalion patrol through the bush. Five figures include, digger patroling, sergeant, digger carrying a Jerry can, a bren gunner and his no2 with the spares wallet.
39th Militia Battalion patrol through the bush. Five figures include, digger patroling, sergeant, digger carrying a Jerry can, a bren gunner and his no2 with the spares wallet.
COST £34.50ea
39th Militia Battalion patrol through the bush. Four figures include, digger patroling, sergeant, digger carrying a Jerry can, a bren gunner and his no2 with the spares wallet. Let us know which figure you want.
COST £34.50 FOR ANY ONE FIGURE