Thanks, Strelets, for the pictures of the Mortar Squad. This looks like an excellent set of figures, which will be very useful.

I note that there is a tripod-mounted set of 'donkeys ears' binoculars here, so I owe Strelets an apology for an earlier post in which I questioned whether showing this on the box cover was accurate in relation to the box contents. It looks as this bit of kit is included after all!

Once in my hands, what to paint first ????? I cannot remember having so many sets in one release on my all time wants list, a little bit of joy in 2020 .

I was initially puzzled by the two different lengths of mortar barrels (and the two slightly different tripods) in the set. But by comparing the barrels to the figure heights, I'm guessing these are intended to be the 8cm and 10cm (the original Type 35) German mortars. Does anyone know if the Type 35 was used in North Africa. I know the Type 35 10cm was issued as a heavy mortar to some paratroop units, but I don't know if this included any of the fallschirmjager in North Africa. Another possibility, I guess, is that these two different mortar tubes are supposed to be the 8cm and the shorter 8cm Stummelwerfer. Any thoughts?

Good questions John, and I have no answers, but wait for others who know more about it.
Bunkermeister

It has been about ten years since I have done any serious WWII research outside of work, so if somebody else knows better please chime in. Based on what I can see your notion of it being the 8cm and 10cm mortars is more likely than either representing the Stummelwerfer because the tripod arrangement on the latter is slightly different than what is shown in the set here. The NbW 35 and GrW 34 were also deemed to be virtually identical to each other, which once again reflects this offering.

Given the uniforms on show as well as the fact that the NbW 35 started to be withdrawn from service it looks like the 1941 campaign would be the most likely usage for the larger version of the weapon. That makes elements of the 5th Light and 15th Panzer the most obvious candidates, although the ad hoc Division zb V Afrika and 104th Artillery Command are also plausible. Hope that helps a little.