D-Day (1 Viewer)

[Kurt]

Anyone know why did this latest batch of D-Day resistance figures got released at this time of the year? I though they only came out in June.

Personally, I’m hoping for more ‘on the beach’ figures, preferably Americans. DD61 “Beach Under Fire” is my favorite 4 piece set K&C has ever done on any subject. I just would like a lot more new sets like it to build a good size dio. And I’d sure wish another Higgins boat would come out, but I don’t expect that to happen.

Frankly I was disappointed with the DD figures last June with the exception of Omar Bradley. The infantrymen all seemed to have the exact same face and the poses weren’t that special. Hopefully, the next time Andy gets back to the beach, the poses will be as exciting as that last batch of American Battle of the Bulge figures.

 

[MCKENNA77]

Anyone know why did this latest batch of D-Day resistance figures got released at this time of the year? I though they only came out in June.

Personally, I’m hoping for more ‘on the beach’ figures, preferably Americans. DD61 “Beach Under Fire” is my favorite 4 piece set K&C has ever done on any subject. I just would like a lot more new sets like it to build a good size dio. And I’d sure wish another Higgins boat would come out, but I don’t expect that to happen.

Frankly I was disappointed with the DD figures last June with the exception of Omar Bradley. The infantrymen all seemed to have the exact same face and the poses weren’t that special. Hopefully, the next time Andy gets back to the beach, the poses will be as exciting as that last batch of American Battle of the Bulge figures.

I would love to see some more beach figures. Hopefully they come out with some new ones this June. I think they are some of the best figures K&C has provided. I especially like the water lines on the pants and boots as well as water splotches on the coats and jackets. Maybe I'm just partial to it because I'm an American.

MCKENNA

 

[The Templar]

Hey Makenna77!

Great pic! Great shot! I want more!!!!

 

[Canadian Samurai]

McKenna, I'm Canadian and I also think they are among the best figures K&C has ever done! Along with the dynamic poses I too appreciate the realistic "wet" detailing that combines the virtures of matte and glossy paint styles. I hope the brave men of 2nd Ranger Battalion will be joined at some point in K&C's catalogue by some Canadians with assault velts wading ashore as well. They say that aside from Omaha, Juno Beach was the toughest fight that day.

 

[Rob]

I have a feeling that as almost all the British D Day figures and vehicles have been retired in the last few months,we may see some new Brits for Day this summer.Also some US Beach sets have gone so maybe they will be replaced too.I agree about the K&C American sets for D Day,superb figures and look so good all together.Id like maybe some wounded guys or a Bangalore set,but hey D Day is my favourite range so any additions always welcome!

Rob

 

[Canadian Samurai]

Good point Rob, guys with Bangalores would be most welcome. Perhaps if K&C wants to come out with a new US D-day line they can do the men of the 29th Infantry Division who had their baptism of fire on Omaha as well. I love the intricate lettering details on the shoulder badges of K&C's existing Rangers, but the 29th would also be quite visually appealing. The divisional insignia of the 29th was a blue and gray ying-yang symbol (representing the Union and Confederate states joined in harmony) that was painted on their shoulders and helmets.

 

[Rob]

Hey CS,yes the 29th would be cool(after some more Brits)i do like their insignia and didn't know thats what it represented,thanks.

Rob

 

[Canadian Samurai]

This insignia was chosen for the 29th partly because it had men from both the Union and Confederate states - it was a representative division of the US nation. Another interesting thing about this unit is its commander was apparently very obsessive about uniform protocol and didn't allow his troops to do things like unbuckle their helmet straps (most US GIs liked to leave their helmet straps undone because there was a rumor going around the lines that a buckled helmet could break your neck if you were hit by the concussion of a shell).

 

[Currahee Chris]

I love the intricate lettering details on the shoulder badges ....

This is probably the only area I'll ever get nit picky on.

Not sure if it was the case in WW2 but for the last 25-30 years the "badge" is called a Ranger Tab and to call it otherwise, especially in the company of a Ranger might be tantamount to extreme harrasment and, perhaps even offensive to some of the younger, newer Rangers to the point of them possibly doing physical harm to you. That tab is the most respected, most difficult honor to have on your shoulder in the US Army. It is the very basis of their Ranger Creed and the kinship they feel as brothers in arms. A lot of those guys have the Ranger Tab tatooed on their shoulder as well. Many of the Ranger course obstacles at Camp Darby have the RANGER tab emblazoned across it.

The Special Forces "badge" is a tab as well.

Trust me, call it a tab if you are ever around one

Interesting info on the 29th. I always wondered what the Yin Yang symbol was meant to represent as well. While we are on the topic of Rangers, I read recently that the Ranger creed "Rangers lead the way" was supposedly stolen by the Rangers on Omaha. I guess one of the battalions had it as their motto and the Rangers supposedly ripped it off. Again, I wouldn't consider asking a Ranger for that answer though, perhaps just do some personal research.

I got one KC 29th ID figure- he is pretty cool but I have wondered what I was going to do with him- perhaps he'll make a solo charge onto Omaha by himself!!

I also couldn't agree with you Canadians more-I have been asking the same question for years- WHERE ARE THE CANADIANS AT?? Juno was devastating as well. It's a real shame.

 

[Youngster]

While we are on the topic of Rangers, I read recently that the Ranger creed "Rangers lead the way" was supposedly stolen by the Rangers on Omaha. I guess one of the battalions had it as their motto and the Rangers supposedly ripped it off. Again, I wouldn't consider asking a Ranger for that answer though, perhaps just do some personal research.

Chris,
Based on the book Omaha Beach by Joseph Balkoski (an excellent read IMHO), that motto was taken from a command by General Cota on Ohama Beach.

Capt. John Raaen, 5th Rangers describing a conversation between Cota and Colonel Schneider of the Rangers: Cota then told him, "Colonel, you are going to have to lead the way. We are bogged down. We've got to get these men off this beach." After Cota finished speaking with Colonel Schneider, he turned toward the men nearby and said, "Rangers! Lead the way!"

Hope this helps.

 

[Currahee Chris]

Chris,

Hope this helps.

Squared away!!! Thanks for the refence and the book recommendation. Just finished Ambrose's novel- I thought it was very well done too.

 

[Canadian Samurai]

This is probably the only area I'll ever get nit picky on.

Not sure if it was the case in WW2 but for the last 25-30 years the "badge" is called a Ranger Tab and to call it otherwise, especially in the company of a Ranger might be tantamount to extreme harrasment and, perhaps even offensive to some of the younger, newer Rangers to the point of them possibly doing physical harm to you.

Thanks Chris, I'll keep that in mind. But back in WW2, thankfully it was just a badge like any other.

 

[Canadian Samurai]

In preparation of receiving my Conte landing craft (2 for 1 sale baby!) I was doing some more research on the Rangers at Normandy and found a good discussion about 2nd Ranger Battalion, on the "Saving Private Ryan Encyclopedia": http://www.sproe.com/s/2nd-ranger.html. I thought this comment about the Ranger's insignia was pretty funny: "Although the blue diamond was the official 2nd Ranger insignia, and was worn into battle on D-day, it was not popular among the Rangers themselves due to its resemblance to the Sunoco logo". So I don't think they would have cared one bit if I called it a badge.

 

[OzDigger]

In preparation of receiving my Conte landing craft (2 for 1 sale baby!) I was doing some more research on the Rangers at Normandy and found a good discussion about 2nd Ranger Battalion, on the "Saving Private Ryan Encyclopedia": http://www.sproe.com/s/2nd-ranger.html. I thought this comment about the Ranger's insignia was pretty funny: "Although the blue diamond was the official 2nd Ranger insignia, and was worn into battle on D-day, it was not popular among the Rangers themselves due to its resemblance to the Sunoco logo". So I don't think they would have cared one bit if I called it a badge.

I assumed the "tab" he was refering to was the later red, black and white scroll design with "2D Ranger Bn" on it.

 

[Canadian Samurai]

Actually I think the tab is the generic "Ranger" one you get when you complete Ranger school that you get to wear for the rest of your career. But yeah, I guess they disliked the diamond Sunoco patch enough they replaced it with the scroll by war's end.

 

[OzDigger]

Could be, I guess we'll have to wait for Chris to put us right.

 

[Currahee Chris]

Could be, I guess we'll have to wait for Chris to put us right.

Gentlemen-

I must give you your props- I am very impressed with your knowledge of the US Army and its history regarding the lineage.

Allow me to modify my initial post to some extent-

The Rangers, through the history, have been a cantekerous lot. Granted, they have every right to be. Some of these guys, and yes, even WW2 Rangers I have spoked to, who may have disliked the blue diamond, do get a bit worked up about their division patches (WW2 era)- again, it's hit or miss with that- to read on a particular website that they disliked it is casting somewhat of a wide brush- I have ran into some who get worked up about their blue diamond and some who seemed to be ambivalent. Guess it's all in who you talk to.

Fast forward to the modern Ranger- as CS correctly put it, the Black and Gold is the Ranger tab and is indicative of one who successfully completed Ranger school. It is my opinion, and I am probably in the majority, that that tab is the most respected part of the US Army uniform- even more rspected than the EIB (Expert Infantryman badge) or jump wings. Anyway, that tab stays with the soldier for his career- follows him through transitions to various units. That tab, is very similar to the SPQR- mark of the Legion to the Romans (as I understand anyway). Various obstacles at Camp Darby (Ft. Benning) and Eglin AFB in Pensacola have the RANGER tab emblazoned on them- this is a characteristic unlike anything else in the army- when the Ranger cadet is training, he gets to see that tab during his exhaustive training- it isn't just another unit he belongs to.

Oz- what you mentioned is commonly refered to as Ranger Scrolls- essentially just identifies the Ranger Bat (Battalion) that the Ranger served in- just like any other division crest- it is what the old Blue Diamond has now become.

So, why all this fuss?? Let's just suffice it to say that one morning I got mouthy during a PT formation with some recent LT's who made it through Ranger school. I was leading a PT Formation in pushups and started busting on these guys (Let's go turtles!!), etc, that kind of thing and well, they didn't like it and I got reprimanded. Never mind the fact that they looked all of 14 years old (heck, I was 18 myself) so I thought I was dealing with some young privates- I shouted out "Oh, look, looks like we got some Ranger wannabe's out here"- yeah, needless to say everything came to a screeching halt and your truly almost pushed Korea back along the coast of California

Not only that but my Uncle Jeff was a Ranger and served in several of the Ranger Batts at Ft. Lewis and Benning. He then served as Ranger Cadre (an instructor at the Ranger school) during the 1980's. He is very high speed and I love talking to him.

So, anyway, take it from me, the Ranger tab is just one of those things- I guess it just depends who you are talking to- that was all I was trying to communicate.

 

[OzDigger]

Hi Chris, thanks for the info.

 

[Saber]

Tread carefully around a Ranger! Years ago, some of the Cav guys I served with had earned the Ranger Tab but you can't wear it on Dress Blues(at least in my day). But they had small metal Ranger Tabs that they wore in a hidden location of the jacket, usually under a lapel or under a pocket flap. At every formal function these guys would have to flash each other their Tabs to prove they had it on. These guys were fanatic about this and Woh unto the Ranger who did not have his Tab even if it wasn't supposed to be on that particuler uniform!

 

[Shiloh]

Sorry to disagree Chris but the Combat Infantry Badge is the most respected badge in the US Army. The others are for specialized training these are issued for the real deal. IMO