G. ‘BLOODY TARAWA’
The beginning of a new range is always an exciting and challenging time for all of us at
King & Country...
Will the collectors like it... ? Does it have ‘Legs’...?
Very importantly,
will it sell...?
In this particular case we’re quietly confident that these all-new
United States Marines will find a ready and eager market and a ‘
special-place’ in many K&C collections.
This is K&C’s
Third ‘landing’ of U.S. Marine
‘Leathernecks’ in action.
Our first 2 x releases, back in the late 1990’s and 2005 focused on the epic battle of IWO JIMA, immortalized in both countless books and several major motion pictures.
This time we are producing a
‘prequel’, a battle that was, in its own way, just as bloody and bitterly fought...
TARAWA.
The Battle of TARAWA was fought between 20-23 November 1943 and was part of the U.S. invasion of the
Gilbert Islands in the central Pacific region.
Although not the first time U.S. forces had met the Japanese in battle it was the first time they had faced serious opposition to an amphibious landing.
On the tiny
Tarawa Atoll more than
4,500 Japanese defenders were well-supplied and expertly dug-in and fought virtually to the last man.
Opposing them were the men of the
2nd Marine Division, U.S.M.C., some of America’s toughest and best fighting forces.
Of approximately
12,000 Marines who assaulted Tarawa
3,146 became casualties with almost
1,000 killed and over
2,000 wounded. That was the deadly toll of just
76 hours of bloody, brutal, non-stop combat.
K&C are proud to launch an initial first wave of
7 fighting Marines in dramatic, dynamic action poses
many more are on the way including a magnificent looking LVT(A)-1 ‘Alligator’.
All of our
‘Leathernecks’ have shed their backpacks and are equipped with a mixture of weapons...
the M1 ‘Garand’ rifle, the Thompson SubMachine Gun the M1 Carbine, the 1911 Colt Automatic Pistol and a Flame Thrower.
SPECIAL NOTE:
A very special
‘TARAWA’ diorama, created by K&C’s own Diorama Workshop will be on display at the upcoming
‘Chicago Show’.
USMC011 ‘Marine Flame Thrower’
The
‘M2 Flamethrower’ was the U.S. made, man-portable backpack flamethrower used in WW2.
Although its
‘burn-time’ was just 7 seconds and its range a mere 20-40 yards it was a very useful weapon... especially in close-quarter battle situations such as the
‘island-hopping’ campaign in the Pacific during WW2.
The Marines used it extensively against pill-boxes, bunkers and trenches defended by determined, die-hard Japanese.
USMC012 ‘Marine Radioman’
As this kneeling Marine operator receives instructions on his
‘SCR-300’ portable radio transmitter he cradles his
M1Carbine next to him. This back-packed radio was the first to be nicknamed a
‘Walkie-Talkie’.
USMC013 ‘Marine Officer w/Tommy Gun’
This junior officer is barking out orders as he holds his
‘Tommy Gun ’... He also carries a side-arm...
The 1911 Colt Automatic Pistol.
USMC014 ‘Marine Firing his Garand’
The U.S.M.C. has always believed that first and foremost every Marine must also be a
‘Marine Rifleman’. Great value has always been placed on
‘skill and marksmanship’ in the Corps and, in WW2, that was immeasurably assisted by the
M1’Garand’ Rifle.
A.30 caliber, semi automatic rifle it weighed 9.5 pounds was gas-operated with a rotating bolt, had an effective firing range of 500 yards and was loaded with an
8-round clip.
Tough, reliable and accurate it was a Marine’s best friend! Our standing Marine fires off a few rounds at the enemy.
USMC015 ‘Marine Grenadier’
Holding his M1 ‘Garand’ in one hand, this ‘Leatherneck’ expertly pitches his
MK2 Grenade at the opposing Japs.
In appearance the
Mk2 Grenade had a series of grooves and knobs cast in its casing that gave it the appearance of a
‘Pineapple’. Naturally, that soon became its nickname.
USMC016 ‘No Marine Left Behind’
A badly wounded, unconscious Marine is dragged to safety by one of his buddies.
Whenever possible Marines will always try to rescue a wounded fellow Marine or at least recover his body. There is a strong tradition in the Corps that whenever or wherever Marines are in battle they will always do their level best (and more) to recover their dead and wounded.
AVAILABLE: Mid September
Special Note: Look out for more fighting marines in the near future!
