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All figures are supplied unpainted (Numbers of each pose in brackets)
| Date Released |
2005 |
| Contents |
50 figures |
| Poses |
12 poses |
| Material |
Plastic (Fairly Hard) |
| Colours |
Tan |
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Average Height
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23 mm (= 1.66 m)
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In May 1918 Germany's 'window of opportunity' closed, and many in the German High Command realised that the war could not be won, for at the end of that month significant numbers of US troops entered the battle in France. With her home front nearing starvation and her allies crumbling, Germany had failed to take advantage of the brief period when she was able to outnumber the allies on the Western front following her victory in the east. Now with large numbers of 'Sammies' or 'Doughboys' to face, the German army was soon to experience final defeat.
When the first troops landed in France they were dressed in fairly modern style but were not ready for the trenches (see the Airfix set). To the annoyance of the troops they found they had to rely on Britain and France for much of their supplies, so that by the time they first saw action they closely resembled the British soldiers, and this is the look that has been portrayed here. They wear the M1912 or M1917 tunic with the British-style helmet. Most wear the practical puttees although a couple still sport the gaiters with which they crossed the Atlantic. All have the M1910 pack, and all have their indispensable gasmask, mostly held high on the chest in the 'ready' position, which was normal when at the front. The officer wears a coat and a version of the overseas cap, although most soon decided to dress more like their men to avoid excessive attention from the enemy. Finally, some carry extra bandoliers of grenades or ammunition. In all respects this set is both accurate and reasonable.
The poses are a fair selection, with the emphasis being on the men moving forward, reflecting the eagerness which the American troops displayed when finally committed to battle. In our view the most interesting pose is the man firing his Chauchat machine gun (bottom row, third figure), an imaginative but perfectly useable pose that only requires the man to be placed or glued to the base (which is fine as the plastic glues very well). Another man is advancing with what looks like another Chauchat, while a third is ready to launch a grenade from his rifle.
Emhar figures have always been well sculpted and these are no different. Detail is in all the right places and nice and clear. There is very little flash, and we thought the proportions and poses were very well done. However the helmets do seem a little shallow, mainly because they have been given a thick rim. Also the Chauchat already mentioned is missing its muzzle, as is that on the other figure (second row, second figure), which we think is a chauchat but cannot be certain.
So, this is a very nice set that depicts its subject well. Apart from those carrying French weapons the figures would do for British infantry of the same period, and given the shortcomings of the Airfix set this is a very important addition to the range of Great War figures.
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Historical Accuracy
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 10
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Pose Quality
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 9
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Pose Number
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 8
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Sculpting
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9
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Mould
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9
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