Almost every soldier in the war smoked, and the cigarette was one of its small universal constants — a moment of calm snatched between marches and fighting, a way to steady the nerves, and a currency more trusted than money. Armies issued tobacco in the ration for exactly that reason: it cost little and did much for morale. By 1944-45, though, Germany was running short of everything, tobacco included, and the Landser's ration was thin; captured American cigarettes, richer and more plentiful, were a genuine prize. This grenadier has stolen a few minutes to light one — helmet still on, rifle to hand, but for a moment simply a tired man having a smoke.

The figure stands at ease in a splinter-pattern Zeltbahn over his field grey, K98 slung, drawing on a cigarette. Set him in a lull in the fighting with the Grenadier Advancing Cautiously and the resting Grenadier Kneeling — mirroring the same wet, waiting downtime on the American side, the U.S. Infantryman Waiting Out the Weather.

W. Britain model 25171. 1/30 scale (approximately 60mm), matte-painted metal. Single foot figure on a sculpted groundwork base. Boxed.