KING & COUNTRY Dispatches -- December 2017 (1 Viewer)

[King & Country]

KING & COUNTRY DISPATCHES
December 2017​

And suddenly ... before you know it... it’s almost the end of the year and Christmas will soon be upon us!

To be honest it’s also my favourite time of the year... I’m fortunate to get to go to Europe at this point and meet many of our most enthusiastic collectors and dealers at events and shows in Italy, France and the U.K.

What delights and amazes me is the huge amount of background knowledge these collectors have... about both the hobby in general and K&C in particular.

PLUS I’m fortunate to get a wealth of great ideas and suggestions from those very same collectors and dealers that often turn into some of the most popular and best-selling K&C figures, fighting vehicles and aircraft!

So, many thanks in advance for all the support, advice and, from time to time, constructive criticism...
A very Merry Christmas and a Happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!

Andy​

1. BEING RELEASED IN DECEMBER...

A. “THE U.S. ARMY AT WAR 1944/45”
Our 2nd batch of ‘Fighting GI’s’ from the latter days of WW2 add some extra firepower in the shape of TWO MORE Riflemen... a ‘Bazooka Guy’ and a kneeling, shouting ‘Tommy- Gunner’ ... All dressed for battle in the ETO (European Theatre of Operations) during 1944/45.



DD309 ‘Kneeling Rifleman’
DD310 ‘Standing Rifleman’
DD312 ‘Kneeling Bazooka Guy’
DD314 ‘Shouting Tommy-Gunner’

AVAILABLE: Early December

 

[King & Country]

B. “THE BATTLE OF HONG KONG 1941”

During the Second World War, the British Crown Colony of Hong Kong was destined to be the first place the Canadian Army fought a land battle against the Axis powers.
On December 8, 1941, 2 x battalions of Canadians, The Winnipeg Grenadiers and The Royal Rifles of Canada were an important part of the British garrison defending Hong Kong against a Japanese attack.
Just hours after simultaneous Japanese attacks on Pearl Harbor, Malaya, Singapore and the Philippines the enemy struck. Within 5 days they had occupied all of the New Territories (bordering mainland China) and the Kowloon Peninsula. Now they were poised to invade Hong Kong Island itself!

VALOUR & SACRIFICE​

There are many tales of bravery and gallantry among the beleaguered and besieged defenders of the small British Colony but one in particular is remembered in this initial release...
On 19 December, the second day of fighting after the Japanese had landed on Hong Kong Island, soldiers of “A” Company, Winnipeg Grenadiers were holding defensive positions in the centre of the Island.
Japanese troops had surrounded the ‘Winnipeggers’ and were lobbing grenades into the Canadian position. On numerous occasions, Company Sergeant Major John Osborn , a WW1 veteran, picked them up and threw them back at the enemy.
When one fell where Osborn could not reach it in time, he shouted a warning to his men and threw himself onto the grenade smothering the explosion. He was killed instantly but his sacrifice saved the lives of many of his men.
CSM Osborn was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross , Britain’s highest military award for bravery in the field.

K&C’s CANADIANS​

King & Country is proud to produce a squad of 6 x fighting Canadian infantrymen in two small sets as they appeared in the dark days of December 1941.



FoB154 “Taking The Fight To The Enemy”
CSM John Osborn V.C. leads 3 of his Winnipeg Grenadiers into battle. In one hand he holds his ‘Tommy-Gun’ , in the other a grenade.
All 3 infantrymen carry the standard British .303 Lee Enfield Rifle.

FoB155 “Bren Gun Team”
As the Bren Gunner moves forward his ‘Number 2’ provides covering fire.

AVAILABLE: Early December

Further Reading: A great book on the Battle of Hong Kong is Oliver Lindsay’s “The Lasting Honour” ... Highly recommended!

 

[King & Country]

C. “HONG KONG IN PEACETIME”
From the Colony in time of War to the Colony in more peaceful times...



HK268 “Standing Coolie w / Water Baskets”
In those far off days there was little or no indoor water supply so most people had to go to a nearby fountain or well to collect fresh water using a wooden bucket like the one shown.
Here, the lady is about to fill up her bucket.

HK270 “The Watcher”
As we all know there is nothing more enjoyable than watching other people work. Here, this Chinese gentleman stands, arms folded, observing others hard-at-work.

HK279 “The Flower Stall Set”
Another version of another old favorite... the Lady Flower-Seller waters her colourful blooms.

AVAILABLE: Early December

 

[King & Country]

D. ‘MARINE REINFORCEMENTS’

When we launched this ‘TARAWA’ range of U.S. Marines at the recent Chicago Show (September 2017) little did we realize just how popular they would become!!!
They have been a huge success worldwide. So, we decided let’s keep the range fresh and exciting by adding new figures as often as we can. Here are FOUR of our latest... ‘reinforcements’



USMC023 LVT(A)-1 “Alligator”
This is the THIRD Amtrack K&C has produced over the years and the FIRST to carry the turret-mounted 37mm gun from the M3 Light Tank. In addition to the main gun this amphibious vehicle has TWO Marine-manned .30 caliber machine guns as part of its defensive/ offensive armament.

USMC026 ‘Marine Sniper’
A sitting (on ammunition crates) Marine taking careful aim with his M1 ‘Garand’ Rifle.

USMC028 ‘Kneeling B.A.R. Gunner’
With both knees ‘on the deck’ this Leatherneck opens fire with his Browning Automatic Rifle.

USMC029 ‘Running Marine’
A running Marine sprints for cover as the bullets fly around him.

AVAILABLE: Mid December

 

[King & Country]

E. “ON THE STREETS OF BERLIN”
During the 1920’s and into the 1930’s the SA, Hitler’s Brownshirts, were always on show... in demonstrations, parades and rallies the brown-clad, street-brawling, bully-boys were much in evidence among the most infamous was...



SA001 ‘Horst Wessel’
A Berlin ‘tough-guy’ and petty criminal... his star rose rapidly in the SA (Sturmabteilung) and he became well-known to the Police, fellow comrades of the SA and, of course, to his enemies, the Communists.
In February 1930 his enemies caught up with him and he was shot by two left wing assassins. After his death he was promoted by Josef Goebbels, Berlin’s Gauleiter, as a ‘martyr’ to the Nazi cause and celebrated in words and music by a specially composed song “The Horst Wessel Lied” which during the Nazi years became almost a second National Anthem to “Deutschland Uber Allies” (Germany Above All).
Here, Wessel strides confidently forward, right hand adopting the ‘half-Hitler’ salute favoured by some Nazi Leaders and their acolytes.

SA002 “Marching Flagbearer”

SA003 “Marching SA Man”

SA004 “Marching w/Side Glance”

AVAILABLE: Mid December

 

[King & Country]

F. “DOWN AMONG THE PEASANTS”
As regular collectors know K&C has produced a great number of Soviet armoured vehicles and Red Army figures.
We’ve also, of late, produced several individual Russian Peasants to help populate any Eastern Front display or diorama. It seemed logical for the next step to be a Russian dwelling of some kind...



SP097 “The Russian Farm House”
This typical wooden structure features TWO different sides to the building allowing collectors to reverse sides to crate alternative displays as well as, if you buy 2, to create a small two-building settlement somewhere out on the Russian Steppes.
The building itself measures 26 x 15 x 18cm.

AVAILABLE: Mid December

 

[King & Country]

G. ‘STREET FIGHTING PANZER GRENADIERS’
As the war lengthened and Germany weakened important changes were made to the ‘look’ of the German soldier himself.
Due to clothing and material shortages the German Army began to copy some of the ideas from their enemies... these Panzer Grenadiers are ample proof of that.
Gone are the high, traditional jackboots, replaced by short ankle boots and web-style gaiters (copied from the British).
The uniform jacket also became shorter and waistlength (again an influence borrowed from British battledress).
These first five Panzer Grenadiers are perfect for any late war street-fighting scenes... A second group of Panzer Grenadiers will be available shortly…



WH075 “Kneeling Panzerschrek Grenadier”
The Germans were pioneers of these rocket-propelled, anti tank grenades and many an Allied vehicle fell victim to their accuracy and lethality.

WH079 “Kneeling Panzer Grenadier with Schmeisser”
Another German favourite... the soldier with the MP40 machine pistol.

WH080 “Standing Firing Panzer Grenadier”
This Panzer Grenadier is armed with the standard German rifle of WW2... The Mauser K98 , a bolt-action rifle firing the 7.92mm cartridge.
First issued in 1935 it saw continuous action until the end of the war in 1945.

WH082 “The Sniper Team” (2 figures)
Our sniper here is firing the “Gewehr 43” a semi automatic rifle that owes some of its development to the earlier Soviet ‘Tokarev SVT-40’.
It fired the same 7.92mm round as the K98 and had a 10-round box magazine.
Kneeling alongside our sniper is his ‘Spotter’ observing the enemy and selecting targets.

AVAILABLE: Mid December

 

[King & Country]

2. BEING RETIRED THIS MONTH...

AE047 The Mummy’s Statue
BBG055 Winter Guards
DD274 The M36 ‘Jackson’ Tank Destroyer
LAH138 Walking “SEPP” Dietrich
WoD007 Miss Lucy
WS308 SS-Oberscharfuhrer Karl Otto
SAF001 Singapore Commando on Parade











And that’s the story for December... Let’s hope there’s more than a few K&C things for you under your Christmas Tree this Festive Season!

All the very best and... happy collecting and Great Sales,

Andy​

 

[villagehorse]

Marines great. Was going to give the Brown shirts a miss, but they look too good on this display, so I am in. Happy Christmas Andy, look after yourself way over in Europe, hurry home. Robin.

 

[ChrisTay]

Love those Panzer Grenadiers. And that Panzerschrek. Some good stuff to take out the T34s in a late war scenario. And that Alligator to complete the Battle of Tarawa! It is only $299 cheap (cry).....

Rgds,Chris

 

[White Knight]

That's a lot of WWII this month. Good for my wallet, though that Hong Kong watcher figure is going on the list for my Victorian era Tong gang.

 

[PanzerAce1944]

Interested in many of these new WWII releases......Pick & choose time !

Wayne

 

[Normandy1944]

Fantastic releases this month! I'm loving the new U.S. Marines boys.










Harrie

 

[Artillery_crazy]

Hi Andy and team,
Great new releases! Especially the new Panzer Grandiers and the Russian Peasant hut! The idea of the two-sided hut gives us amble choices ....:salute:::salute:::salute::
Great job!
Luiz

 

[nysoldiers]

Good releases for WWII collectors. Hope to see more Israeli/Arab 67 War releases in the near future.
And of course Romans!

 

[Larry Allen]

My US Marines are growing to Battalion size and the 4 NEWEST additions will go a long way to help secure the beachhead as they prepare to move inland. Still a well trained and cleverly hidden force of fanatical Japanese have all intentions of defending their island or to die for their Emperor .

--- LaRRy

 

[BHogan]

Pre-ordered the Canadians from the Battle of Hong Kong! Also ordered two Napoleonic Old Guard sets to take advantage of the free figure promotion.

Brendan

 

[binder001]

Very nice WW2 offering. Couple small points;
1) There were NO LVT(a)1's at Tarawa or in the Gilbert campaign. They were developed in response to the lessons learned at Tarawa.

2) Love the "late war" US infantry, but I wish you had shown the later US boots. The US Army produced many fine and practical uniforms, but the footwear was weak, especially in wet or cold conditions. M1943 boots would have been more likely by the time the M1943 field jackets became widespread.

Gary B.
Waverly, NE

 

[King Tiger II]

Ouch!!!!!

Big Month for me. {eek3}

Serge :smile2:

 

[Poppo]

I like the soldier with a panzerschrek . I saw it at the museum ..:tongue: