Heller 81223 - French Mountain Troops

Heller 81223 - French Mountain Troops - 1938 - 1940

Perfect for a diorama piece in 1/35th scale
50 mm tall
76 Pieces
Features various poses
Paint not included
Intended for collectors age 10+
Great for school dioramas

French mountain troops (the elite Chasseurs Alpins ) were officially established on December 24, 1888 .

Created in response to the unification of Italy to guard the Alpine borders, they have been in continuous existence since then and remain an active part of the French Army today.

The history of the French mountain forces and their continuing legacy can be organized into a few key eras:

1888 – Formation: The first troupes de montagne were formed out of 12 of the existing Chasseurs à pied (light infantry) battalions. They were later nicknamed the Diables Bleus (Blue Devils) for their distinctive uniforms and wide berets.
World Wars I & II: They served with distinction, famously stopping Italian troops in the Alps during the early stages of World War II before many joined the French Resistance.
Modern Era: Today, they exist primarily as the 27th Mountain Infantry Brigade (27e Brigade d'Infanterie de Montagne ), specializing in cold-weather and extreme-terrain warfare.

The Heller "French Mountain Troops" (Chasseurs Alpins) 1:35 scale model kit represents the uniform and equipment utilized by the French Army during the late 1930s and early 1940s , specifically covering the period of 1938 to 1940 .

The specific historical details represented in this uniform set include:

The Late-War Blue Uniform: Unlike most French units that transitioned to khaki/horizon blue, these troops retained their traditional pre-war and late 1930s dark blue jackets (vareuses ) and wool pants.
Mountain Gear: The figures feature the iconic large, flat beret (known as the tarte ), puttees (cloth leg wraps), and specialized high-altitude combat gear like snowshoes and skis.
Norwegian Campaign & Battle of France: These uniforms perfectly depict the soldiers sent to fight in Norway (the Battle of Narvik) and those defending the Alpine front in June 1940.