On the Bastogne perimeter, German infantry often had to attack across open, snow-covered fields toward the tree lines the 101st held — and that was where automatic fire earned its keep. A Browning Automatic Rifle with a clear field of fire could break up a Volksgrenadier assault before it closed, the gunner walking bursts across the advancing line while the riflemen around him picked their targets. The airborne had jumped into the war with light weapons and a hunger for firepower, and they prized the BAR for exactly this: one man could put out the volume of several riflemen. Standing to fire it in the open, in a greatcoat stiff with cold, took nerve as much as skill.

The figure is up and firing the BAR from the shoulder, a long winter greatcoat hanging past his knees, magazine belt at his waist and netted helmet low. He is the automatic weapon of a Bastogne perimeter diorama: post him beside the greatcoat rifleman, the Greatcoat Trooper Firing M1, back him with the "Suppressing Fire" M1919 Team, and hold the line at "Welcome to Bastogne".

W. Britain model 25065. 1/30 scale (approximately 60mm), matte-painted metal. Single foot figure on a sculpted groundwork base. Boxed.