History Background
Originally intended for the invasion of Malta, the Luftwaffe Paratroop formation, brigade Ramcke, was sent to Africa in response to Rommel's call for reinforcements in summer 1942, being flown in during August. Commanded by Generalmajor Bernhardt Ramcke, it comprised four rifle battalions, an artillery battalion, an antitank and a pioneer company. The unit airlifted from Europe and took up positions between the Italian 'Bologna' and 'Brescia' Divisions facing the southern sector of the EI Alamein line. After bitter resistance to the British offensive in late October the brigade was forced to withdraw from the collapsing front of the Italian X Corps; it had already been written off as destroyed by Rommel's staff. In fact some 600 men of the brigade carried out an epic 200-mile retreat across open desert dominated by the enemy, capturing British transport and supplies on the way, and rejoining the German forces near Fuka. The brigade later fought with distinction in Tunisia.

Model Feature
All four new-tooled figures are similarly dressed, wearing rolled-up tropical long sleeve shirts, trousers (Luftwaffe Pattern), jump boots, FJ helmets and the tropical field cap with peak. They are equipped with tropical web belt, tropical combat suspenders, bread bag, mess tin, water bottle, goggles, FJ gas mask, shovel, ammo boxes and drums. Weapons include Kar98K, MP-40 and MG42.