1/6 Ujindou UD9042 51st Highland Division Bren Gunner (Black Watch, Normandy 1944)

[Asta]

51st Highland division Bren Gunner,
Black Watch - Normandy 1944 ,

NO.UD9042

Mk.II Helmet x1
Helmet Netting x1
Highland division Beret x1
40-pattern BD Uniform Jacket x1
40-pattern BD Trousers x1
British Tank Crew Overalls x1
British Leather Jerkin x1
37-pattern Cloth Anklets
British Boots

Bren gun spares bag x1
Bren gun Magazine Pouches
37-Pattern Waistbelt x1
37-Pattern Braces x1
37-Pattern General Purpose Pouches
1937 Tank Crew Pistol Holster with leg strap
P37 Pack W x1
British Gas mask bag x1
British Water Bottle w/Strap x1
British Army Shovel x1

Bren Gun x1
Bren Gun barrel x1
Bren Gun Magazines x 8
M1911A1 .45 calibre Pistol x1

154th Brigade, 51st Highland division Normandy Badge Set

NEW BOND HEAD SCULPTURE
BODY W/ RELAXED HANDS
GUN HOLDING HANDS

 

[MeatHookGekko]

Is this Bren a version 1, 2 or 3?

Doing the math in my head now. The Bren was about 20 pounds right? The magazines were about 3 pounds each once loaded. That ammo rig looks like a PITA. I mean try moving around all day with all that $#%^ strapped to your chest. I mean, I can see a little more functionality if you were in a trench, where you could stand up, and have some cover, and still have the bipod deployed. But imagine trying to go prone with that chest rig in place.

It's a good looking figure and I'll never argue against more firepower in our hobby. But, considering real life, that looks like a pure slog to drag that thing around everywhere. I'm not saying other guys in the squad nor other types of gunners had it any easier, it just seems .... so exhausting.

 

[Asta]

Is this Bren a version 1, 2 or 3?

Going by this recognition guide I think it's supposed to be a Mk. I with its humped butt stock and front sight not strapped round the barrel. Though there appear to be some differences or omissions:

https://www.thegunner.net/brenrecg.htm


While it has a Mk. I humped stock and Mk. I style butt plate (though not identical to the photos), it has the Mk. II sling attachment.

Doing the math in my head now. The Bren was about 20 pounds right? The magazines were about 3 pounds each once loaded. That ammo rig looks like a PITA. I mean try moving around all day with all that $#%^ strapped to your chest. I mean, I can see a little more functionality if you were in a trench, where you could stand up, and have some cover, and still have the bipod deployed. But imagine trying to go prone with that chest rig in place.

It's a good looking figure and I'll never argue against more firepower in our hobby. But, considering real life, that looks like a pure slog to drag that thing around everywhere. I'm not saying other guys in the squad nor other types of gunners had it any easier, it just seems .... so exhausting.

A quick search for photos ands illustrations shows Bren gunners with only two General Purpose pouches, so the extra pair could be left off.

154th Infantry Brigade​

​

The 51st (H) Division joined the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in France, 154 Bde landing on 3 February 1940. The BEF had a policy of exchanging Regular and TA units to even up experience across formations: on 4 March 6th Black Watch was exchanged for 1st Black Watch from 4th Division. However, when the Phoney War ended with the German invasion of the Low Countries on 10 May, 51st (H) Division was detached and serving under French command on the Saar front. Cut off from the rest of the BEF, which was being evacuated from Dunkirk, the division retreated towards the coast. On 9 June Brig Arthur Stanley-Clarke and his 154 Brigade HQ was given command of an ad hoc group of divisional units and army units from the line of communication, designated 'Arkforce'.

Service​

The 51st (Highland) Division sailed for Egypt on 16 June 1942 and 154 Bde was engaged in the following actions under its command during the war:


1942

• Western Desert campaign:
  • Second Battle of El Alamein, 23 October–4 November

1943

• Tunisian campaign:
  • Battle of Medenine, 6 March
  • Battle of the Mareth Line, 16–31 March
  • Battle of Wadi Akarit, 6–7 April
  • Enfidaville (Operation Vulcan) 19–29 April
  • Tunis (Operation Strike), 5–12 May
• Sicilian campaign:
  • Landings (Operation Husky) 9–12 July
  • Adrano (Battle of Centuripe), 29 July–3 August

154 Brigade landed on mainland Italy as part of Operation Baytown on 5 September, but after holding the beachhead for a few days it was recalled to Sicily, arriving back on 8 September. It then sailed for the UK on 9 November with 51st (H) Division, which had been selected for the Allied invasion of Normandy (Operation Overlord).

1944

• Normandy campaign:
  • Operation Goodwood, 18–23 July
  • Battle of Falaise, 7–22 August
  • Le Havre (Operation Astonia), 10–12 September
• Reichswald (Operation Veritable), 8 February–10 March
• Rhine Crossing (Operation Plunder), 23 March –1 April