The Filthy Thirteen - Normandy 1944

If you are familiar with my previous minifigure library, you have likely come across my 2019 Filthy Thirteen paratrooper. Revisiting that project now, I wanted to skip one generalized minifigure, and explore each man and their loadout individually to offer you a full set, commemorating the original unit. Directly inspiring Hollywood films like The Dirty Dozen and Inglorious Bastards, the original cast live on in Hollywood memory as one of the most infamous units in US Army history. 

Their name was coined after months of not bathing, to conserve their limited fresh water for cooking stolen, errr.. procured game from local farms. The dirty five, later the filthy thirteen, are known for their gross lack of discipline and wild antics. Officially, they were known as the 1st Demolition Section of the Regimental Headquarters Company of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment. 

Led by James “Jake" McNiece, famous for his disobedience, the black cats and wildcards of other parachute outfits would quickly be placed under his acting command. This command was acting due to the fact that over his entire military career, he was never promoted beyond private, facing constant discipline and threats of court martial. The group as a whole would become known as thieves, drunkards, womanizers, brawlers, and as many officers would put it, entirely unfit for army life. However, by the enlisted in the parachute regiment, these men were well loved, and looked up to by many as true leaders, full of grit, and sure to survive in face of the enemy. The latter would unfortunately prove to be false. Over the course of the war, either through transfer, death, wounding, or capture, over thirty men would actually serve within the unit, and in the confused loading, as well as chaos once on the ground, many men would find themselves folded into the stories of the someday notorious group. 

This particular pack showcases thirteen total figures of jump stick 21, some of whom were core members of the filthy thirteen, others were last minute substitutions from other demolitions sections, as well as men from the 326th Engineers Battalion. All were prominently featured when Army Signal Corps photographers took photos, and film, of them loading their C-47 transport on June 5th 1944. Each figure is a 1 to 1 recreation of the original men, which I’ve spent considerable time finding multiple film angles of, deep diving through multiple opinions on identities, and researching obscure equipment that is seldom noted in prior research. Of course, a few necessary assumptions have been made where gaps do exist. I’ve chosen to illustrate each figure as an approximation of how they would appear fighting once landing on June 5th into the early hours of June 6th. The men represented here are: 

Acting Sgt. James “Jake” McNiece 

S/Sgt Mariano Ferra

Sgt Thomas “Old Man” Lonegran

Cpl Joseph “Joe” Oleskiewicz

Cpl John “Peepnuts” Hale 

The unknown man - 326th AEB Cpl 

Pvt. Clarence Ware 

Pvt Charles “Chuck” Plauda

Pvt Robert “Ragsman” Cone 

Pvt George “Googoo” Radeka 

Pvt John “Jack” Agnew 

Pvt Jack “Hawkeye” Womer

Pvt James “Piccadilly Willy” Green 

As demolitions men, I of course could not leave them hanging without any suitable equipment. Each figure includes a unique printed tile based on parachute or demolition equipment the section carried. On that same note, I’d like to offer a correction to the historical record that hopefully weighs in on your MOCs as well. The famous images largely show each man carrying a Thompson submachine gun, and unburdened by heavy loads of demolition equipment. The most likely explanation is that the footage is partially staged, filmed as sticks were waiting to load, with the Thompsons quickly handed out for more dramatic effect, and the pounds of explosives left on the ground for the time being. Surviving veterans accounts, namely McNiece and Jack Womer, specifically recall landing and fighting with M1 Rifles, which the TO&E for the demolitions section also supports, with the exception of Ferra, who arrived from the 326th with his M1 Carbine and M3 grease gun.

Original Proof Copy - 1 of 1, first complete minifigure set out of the printer. Numbered 1 and signed by the artist. Arrives in a themed, sealed collectors box inspired by WWII packaging, with each figure individually packaged with a named display brick. 

Collectors Edition - Numbered and signed by the artist. Arrives in a themed, sealed collectors box inspired by WWII packaging, with each figure individually packaged with a named display brick. 

Art across these figures features:

• Custom printed BrickArms M1 Steel Pot Helmet with helmet net and 506th PIR markings (Normandy)
• Custom printed BrickArms M1 Steel Pot Helmet with helmet net and 326th AEB markings (Normandy)
• Custom printed minifigure head with individual art based on historical faces and unique face paint 
• M1942 parachute jump uniform - rigger modified and gas impregnated (101st Normandy) 
• M1942 parachute jump uniform - 506th modified with arm pockets 
• M1936 pistol belt 
• M1936 musette bag
• M1910 canteen with cover
• M1942 canteen with cover
• M7 invasion gas mask bag
• M3 knife with M6 scabbard (secured by white cot strap) 
• M1943 entrenching tool 
• M1936 suspenders (secured with white or black friction tape) 
• AAC ammunition "Riggers" pouches 
• Linesman tool pouch 
• Lensatic compass pouch 
• Mk2 hand grenades (secured by both white and block friction tape)
• Satchel charge 
• Demolitions equipment bag
• GP ammunition bag 
• GP ammunition bag (rigger modified 
• Parachutist "Corcoran" jump boots  
• Inside leg jump ties and equipment strap printing   
• 1x6 display brick (original and collectors edition)
• 1x8 display brick (original and collectors edition)

Information Info: Art and printing by Lando (that’s me!) on genuine factory direct Lego minifigure elements & BrickArms headgear.

LEGAL INFO: This is not a LEGO® Product. LEGO and the LEGO minifigure are trademarks of the LEGO Group, which does not sponsor, authorize, or endorse this product. The LEGO Group is not liable for any loss, injury or damage arising from the use or misuse of this product.