AUGUST DISPATCHES (the real deal)
Guys
As promised to Shannon please find the dispatches for August just in from HK.
I will get pics on as and when
Tony Neville
K&CUK
KING & COUNTRY
DISPATCHES
AUGUST 2007
By the time you guys (and gals) get this latest “DISPATCHES” myself, wife and child will be in France on our annual holidays. We’re sharing a cottage in Normandy for a week with some Aussie friends of ours and then we’ve got 5 whole days in Paris! I’m looking forward to meeting up with my old friend (and K&C’s national distributor) Frederic Genard of Toy Soldiers Paris.
1. AVAILABLE IN AUGUST
A. “Fields of Battle” STURMGESCHUTZ III
FoB038 “Sturmgeschutz III Ausf. B” (Battle of France)
Here’s a great little late addition to all of those July “Fields of Battle” releases — our latest STUG. This mark III model early war version sports the snub-nosed 75mm gun and two great crew figures. To “accessorize” the model and make a dynamic little diorama the set also includes a French Customs barrier/sign and an unfortunate Poilu lying dead in the dust.
B. “Death of a Tyrant”
WS104 (SL) “ASSASSINATION OF HEYDRICH”
One of August’s big surprises will be this dramatic set depicting the well-deserved fate of one of the Third Reich’s most feared and despised characters…Reinhard Heydrich.
Himmler’s own right-hand man, Chief of the dreaded SD and Reichsprotektor of Bohemia Moravia, Heydrich was also one of the main architects of “The Final Solution”. He was stalked and attacked by two very brave Czech patriots in May 1942. Although his assassination led to the deaths of many thousands of innocent men, women and children this was proof, even to the Nazis, that they were not “invulnerable”.
This, our first “Strictly Limited” of 2007 depicts the actual moment of the attack on Heydrich when he was fatally injured by the bomb thrown by one of the assassins. This special set includes Heydrich himself…his SD driver…and the two brave Czech patriots Jan Kubis and Josef Gabcik and a superb model of the Reichsprotektor’s Staff Car.
Also inside the “Strictly Limited” box is a four-page summary of Heydrich’s infamous career and important background details on the attack and its tragic aftermath.
This particular “Limited Edition” comprises just 999 sets.
C. “THE BATTLE OF CRETE 1941”
Here at last, the long-awaited and much-requested German Fallschirmjagers (or paratroopers).
Almost a platoon’s worth and they’re ready for action.
These new pieces are in the standard two-tone “jump” uniforms of 1939-1942 and are perfect for the campaigns in the Low Countries (Belgium, Luxemburg and Holland) as well as France and, of course their most famous battle, the Capture of CRETE in 1941. These airborne troopers also fought in Greece, Yugoslavia, the Invasion of Russia, North Africa…Sicily…Italy…France and virtually every German theatre of operations. Although wearing early-mid war uniforms these continued to be worn alongside camouflage versions right up to the end of WWII.
FJ001-07 “MG34 Machine Gun Team”
A machine gunner and his “spotter” laying down a belt of covering fire with their excellent MG34 gun.
FJ002-07 “Mortar Team”
A two-man team provide mortar support with their small, portable leGrW36 weapon. This little mortar fired either a 2-inch high explosive round or a “smoke” canister.
FJ003-07 “Weapons Container”
Most German paratroopers jumped with only their personal side arm (usually a Luger or P38 pistol) as protection. Rifles and submachine guns (as well as heavier troop weapons) were dropped separately in airborne containers.
Here, one is being unloaded and weapons distributed by a shouting Fallschirmjager.
FJ004-07 “FJ Bugler”
Battlefields are, by definition, noisy and often radios don’t work so…bugles are simple and easy to operate and can be used to help gather and organize widely dispersed landing forces.
FJ005-07 “Returning Fire”
A great little fighting section of 4 Fallschirmjagers in action.
FJ006-07 “Prisoner & Escort”
A well-armed and aggressive paratrooper brings in his British prisoner-of-war. Could be northern France or Crete…the choice is yours!
FJ007-07 “Anti Tank Gun Set”
Three FJ operate an easily air-portable 37mm anti tank gun.
FJ008-07 “FJ Motorcycle Combo”
A highly mobile “fire team” on their BMW add extra firepower to the assault. Heavier transport and equipment was ferried into the landing zone by specially adapted aircraft (JU52’s) and gliders.
FJ009-07 “FJ Dispatch Rider”
Good communications are vital to any battle or campaign especially involving airborne forces…here is a typical FJ rider on his bike.
Special Note: Many collectors have been contacting K&C direct asking what troops can be used to oppose these new Fallschirmjagers either in the Battle of France in May and June 1940 and the Battle for Crete in 1941.
Our “Fields of Battle” British Tommies and French Poilus are perfect for Battle of France scenarios. For the Cretan Campaign either FoB British Tommies or British 8th Army soldiers. Photos of the battle show British, Australian and New Zealand troops wearing both British battledress and/or Khaki shirts and shorts of the Dessert War period. Use your Fallschirmjager to get extra sales of both these other great series…
D. “BACK TO THE STREETS”
HK163 “Herbal Tea Set”
HK164 “Fish Seller Set”
Two more colourful (and delightful) add-ons to this, our longest and largest series.
AVAILABILITY: “FoB Stug III” Early Next Week
“Assassination of Heydrich”(SL) Mid August
“Fallschirmjager” Mid / Late August
“Streets of Old HK” NOW