introduction

Aurora Model keeps producing 1/35 scale metal figures representing female members serving in different branches of German Army during World War II. The figure ML-028 represents a German Red Cross Nurse.

about the figure

During the World War II, almost all branches of the German army had its own medical personnel but none of them had its own nursing staff. All nurses were provided by the DRK - Deutsches Rotes Kreuz (German Red Cross).

The German Red Cross helferin (helper nurse) was a vital part of the war effort in World War Two. Due to the German ideal of the three Ks "Kirche, Kindern, und Kuche" (Church, Children, and Kitchen), women in the armed forces were unthinkable. With it’s entire population mobilizing for war, Germany had to enlist all the help it could get on the home front; this meant that everyone was put into some branch of service to benefit the war effort, women included. There were a few choices for women in the Third Reich if they weren’t mothers, which exempted them from service. They were able to become farm workers and laborers, nurses, or one of a few other positions vital to the Reich such as Signalhelferin (signal helper) and administrator for the armed forces. Nursing was often seen as the most glamorous option, so it attracted many women. To keep women out of harm’s reach, field hospitals that employed female nurses were required to be at least fifteen kilometers from the front lines. Wounded soldiers knew they would be all right when they found themselves in a field hospital surrounded by nurses. It was not unheard of for these field hospitals to be overrun in a fast-moving advance, so nurses were sometimes taken as prisoners, although they were generally treated with a great deal of respect for their position by the Allies.

uniforms

A rather large range of uniforms were worn by RDK personnel in two basic categories ; those worn by the professional career members of DRK staff and those worn by the regular DRK nurses.

The basic uniform worn by the DRK helferin during wartime consisted of medium grey pleated-front blouse or a blue-grey pinstriped blouse with a white collar as in this figure, combined with a skirt in matching color. The white collar is detachable for washing. Over the ward dress, helferin wears a white color, bib-fronted type ,under-knee length apron. The headdress is a starched white nurse cap with a woven band stitched along its front edge showing a red cross or alternatively the letters RK. They wore black silk stocking and black lace-up shoes.

The DRK nurses carry a white armband with a Red Cross emblem surrounded by the words Deutsches Rotes Kreuz in black Gothic script on the left sleeve.

Packing

Aurora Model figures come in 12x7 cm transparent zip-lock bags with a company label stapled on the top of the bag. Inside the bag; there are 2 small paper sheets ; one with the information about the figure in Japanese and English, the other with a painted photo which can be used as a painting guide. It is noted on the information sheet that the metal of the figures contains lead.

Figure parts are secured in another plastic bag.

Parts

The figure is sculpted by Kiyushi Tsuda aka SOLO and cast in 4 white metal parts. The cast is good, there are only a few slightly visible vertical seamlines to clean. A quick sanding will be enough to make it ready for priming.

Torso with head : Facial details, hair, starched nurse cap, apron straps and collar are quite well represented.

Legs : It shows nice cloth folds.Belt and shoes are well defined.

Left arm : Posed to hold her hand on her breast. The DRK armband is well defined.

Right arm : Posed to hold a file holder or notebook on her hand.

References

The following books can be useful when painting these figures.

Osprey Publishing – Men at Arms 393 - World War II German Women’s Auxiliary Services

Osprey Publishing – Men at Arms 100 - Women at War 1939-45

Conclusion

Sculpting, posing and casting of the figure is quite good. Displaying it as single figure depends on the painters choice, but it is a very nice and unique figure to display in dioramas with medics or wounded German soldiers.

Recommended

Aurora Model also released a German Shepherd dog which can be used with this figure or other German medical staff.

ML-027 German Shepherd Dog with Medical Pack

Because of their strength, intelligence, loyality and abilities in obedience training; German Shepherds are employed in many military units. During World War II, they were used by both Axis and Allied forces as companion, tracking, utility,guarding and medical dogs.

The dog is made up of 3 parts ;

Body : It shows a nice posing and details like tail and ears are well defined. The medical pack with Red Cross emblem is sculpted on the dog.

Right front leg

Right rear leg

It is a nice complementary piece to company medical personnel on dioramas or vignettes.