Stutzpunkt Nests

German strongpoint's were formed along the Egyptian-Libyan frontier to slow British counter-offensives launched from Egypt. At Halfaya Pass their Luftwaffe 8.8cm Flak36 guns made light work of the then undefeated British Matilda tanks. Each Stützpunkt was based around a key fortified position held by entrenched infantry supported by machine-guns, anti-tank guns and the devastating Luftwaffe 88s. Lurking behind the strongpoint's are artillery and mobile reserves of panzers and motorized infantry.

The objective of a Stützpunkt defense was to provide effective fire to wear down the enemy before launching a counterattack, usually with supporting armored troops. A Stützpunkt position was organized in depth which meant the positions were able to hold and provide fire even when the enemy had pushed into it. The depth also allowed the fire to be poured on to the enemy’s flank if they broke through the position.

When the British attacked the Libya frontier during Operation Battleaxe they faced four Stützpunkt positions. The Stützpunkt positions did their job and blunted the British assaults around Halfaya Pass and the German panzers counterattacked.

Contents:

two individually sculpted Stützpunkt Nests

one 5cm PaK38 gun with crew

one 2cm FlaK38 gun with crew