Thoughts on WS35- Hitler (4 Viewers)

[Currahee Chris]

With my most recent purchase I picked up Ike and Rommel. Had to snag Rommel back into the ranks after circumstances forced me to sell him in his staff car back a few years ago. Love both the figs.

Anyway, I don't typically collect the "personalities" figures- Rommel in his staff car was the exception- it was Rommel!! But, for the most part, I just couldn't see how to work them into any dio so I have mostly avoided them. Over the last couple weeks I have realigned some of my collecting goals and focus and have decided to collect personalities and some day do a fun dio with all of them together.

Then there is Herr Hitler- hmmmmmmmmmmm... Well, I had a real hard time just buying any of the German figs in the first place- broke down and bought WS23 many years ago and that got things started- after all, my paras needed someone to fight.

But Hitler, I don't know- I can see me buying Rommel, Kesselring and of course, Guderian (if they get made) but I just can't see the Fuhrer- just too much of a stigma there. The other guys, in my opinion were professional soldiers- Hitler was just a psychopath and that is kind of the litmus test I use to rationalize not getting him.

Anyone else have any thoughts?? I know it isn't historically accurate to exclude him- but all my other guys are soldiers (with the exception of Churchill). It just doesn't seem like one to buy.

STANDS ALONE!!
CC

 

[Louis Badolato]

I won't have Hitler in my collection either, unless Andy does him on a couch with a dead german shephard, dead Eva Braun, holding a pistol and cyanide capsule.

 

[eborris]

I usually stay out of these discussions because my mouth usually gets me in trouble, but what the heck.

Personally and this only my opinion, historical figures are historical figures whether or not they were psychopaths or not they are part of history. I think it's up to each person where they want to draw the line.

I was looking at the new Custer line being put out by Blackhawk and one of the sketches has a squaw taking the pants off of a dead trooper, while this may or may not be historically accurate, (can't say for sure, I wasn't there) to me that's in bad taste and that's where I draw my line.

 

[Rob]

Its a difficult one Chris.Somehow there is just something a little creepy about a Hitler figure,its everything he represented i guess.I have started collecting the WW1 range and i think i will get the Cpl Hitler.This is because its almost a comical figure of the 'little Corporal',an ordinary soldier if you like before he became the murderous monster we all hate.I agree with you,i want all the personalities from the WW2 range except Hitler.Its no big deal and i'm not preaching to anyone,i just don't want that piece of filth with his stupid mistouche, hat and creepy salute in my cabinet.

Rob

 

[Eazy]

I don't have many personality figures in my collection- Rommel in his Greif, Panzer meyer and his half track and that U.S. General who could be somebody famous
Mostly I like the basic soldier type of figure.

 

[Eazy]

Its a difficult one Chris.Somehow there is just something a little creepy about a Hitler figure,its everything he represented i guess.I have started collecting the WW1 range and i think i will get the Cpl Hitler.This is because its almost a comical figure of the 'little Corporal',an ordinary soldier if you like before he became the murderous monster we all hate.I agree with you,i want all the personalities from the WW2 range except Hitler.Its no big deal and i'm not preaching to anyone,i just don't want that piece of filth with his stupid mistouche, hat and creepy salute in my cabinet.

Rob

I was watching a UK Gold repeat of "On the Buses" the other day.
WSS 35 looks just like Blakey

 

[jazzeum]

I happen to like the personality figures so I have them all and I do have this one as well. I also happen to have the early LAH versions of Hitler. The other LAH personalities are a little hard for me to stomach (I know this may not be logical) but I might get the Mussolini. Would like to see a Stalin figure and maybe a Zhukov figure but I don't think that will happen anytime soon.

 

[Currahee Chris]

Interesting thoughts. I am not looking to start a major confrontation here- I think the "in good taste" debate was hit on with Andy's response letter to the Toy Soldier mag guys.

I agree with EBorris, it's a personal decision- to me, I enjoy collecting the troops and equipment so naturally by extension of the logic, I have included the men in uniform who commanded them.

I lived in Germany several years ago- granted it was under somewhat unusual circumstances- my Dad was in the army and we went with him to Nuremburg. I started getting into WW2 stuff over there and he told me that it was against the law to sport anything of the Third Reich over there. I wasn't sure if that was a function of German law or a function of the Unites States Code of Military Justice, which he was to abide by as well as German and American law- anyone know anything about that??

I do know one of my favorite dealers has told me that there is nothing "hotter" sales wise than Germans- especially the LAH line- said he has a lot of buyers who buy a set for themselves and another set to send to Germany.......... That was a few years back but I was talking to him last month and he said the Germans in general sell better than the US and UK figs combined.

 

[jazzeum]

I don't think we want to get into another of those LAH debates. We've been through that and I think most people know where everybody else stands, etc.

It is against German law to sport anything that resembles nazi-ism, e.g., a swastika. Ebay has dinged many a LAH auction because of a concern with violating German law (although they seem somewhat lax lately).

In addition, LAH is one of King & Country's top sellers. Andy has said that World War II sells and Germans sell better than Americans, hence the weight in the number of German issues v. Allies.

I have been to Nuremberg and it is one fascinating city. The city itself is very lovely, particularly the old downtown. For WW II buffs, the Museum against Nazi-ism is fascinating. I spent several hours there. Also fascinating are the old parade grounds where they held the rallies. It's quite awesome to see it and imagine hundreds of thousands of people gathering there.

 

[Combat]

I tend to collect personality figures over generic era soldiers. It brings some element of the influence of individuals in historical events. Rommel was mentioned earlier and Mich. Toy Co. sells a great Rommel figure from St. George's Cross ($100). In my opinion it is the equal of the $400+ St. Petersburg Rommel (which I also have). Both are 54mm.

 

[Rob]

Nice pics Combat.I like very much the personalities,Andy said a while back that there are more in the pipeline.Alexander with his MP guard is next on my list.

Rob

 

[kilted vampire]

CC You may wish too buy the figure. For the reason of perspective. He occupies a large slice of History. If I am not mistaken was he not once the Man of the Year? He was a madman to say the least. Monster to others. At one time he was a Saviour to his people before he began to eat them from the inside out. I do not promote Nazism and have not bought any of the series.

As noted earlier it is your choice. It would be all right to own, if one were not to glorify his reign of terror.

Just my two cents worth.

 

[tdubel]

Just some perspective here, my wife is Jewish, I am by marriage and I have a number of Lah, hitler etc in my collection. I do not have them prominently displayed for one reason, my wife's parents. My wife and I both agree that history is history and want our son to know it for what it is, NO political correctness, no revision, JUST black and white as it happened.

For now, they stay in the box out of sensitivity to an older generation who is not far removed from the atrocities.

SO, I think folks should collect what they want and portray what they want. There is no shame in that and having a collection of historically accurate figures is not offensive in my book. I also genuinely respect those who don't collect it, its a personal choice.

Tom

 

[Rob]

Well said Tom.Each to their own i say.

Rob

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Guys,

I had to pop in to this one. I think that Tom and others have nailed it Chris. Its mainly a matter of personal choice and I for one am all for people learning the real deal when it comes to history. Dont think you will ever see any of the nazi figures in my collection but I do have a few tanks that I consider significant for their impact to mounted warfare and the developments that made them significant and I would put guys like Rommel or Wittman on the shelf because they were significant too. I do have many books that discuss them and their impact on the world so my kids will read about it at home even if its a taboo subject in todays schools.

As for the laws in Germany it was against their law and the GIs were subject to The laws there according to the Status of Forces Agreements. I did find it very interesting to discuss this era with the older Germans I knew over there and some still had a lot of things in boxes from Grand Parents and Fathers etc so toward the end of my time there we even saw some uniforms and other items at a militaria/gun show that were for sale so they were beginning to sell things they would just keep the swasticas covered with stickers or paper taped on them and sell them. I have seen this done with medals and edged weapons on ebay and at other auctions.

Very interesting thread.

All the best

Dave

 

[Currahee Chris]

Dave-

Your in the wrong AO my friend- aren't you supposed to be moderating over at Britains or something?? I dunno if us KC guys can function correctly with you Britains guys crossing into our lanes-especially the Britains Moderator- better recheck the coordinates on that GPS system.

No, I do appreciate what you have to say. I just always wondered what everyone thought of the Fuhrer- well, I know what they think, guess I just was curious about the figure of him.

Alright, well beat feet most Rikki Tikk- you might miss censoring something at Britains. No, seriously though, congratulations on being made the Mod for the Britains figs- your knowledge is first rate on those figs!!

Tank Care my friend!!
CC

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Chris,

As always you are fun to chat with. I appreciate the notes. I couldnt help but pipe in on this one because I do like these kind of questions. I find it very interesting to see where the discussions go.

Anyway have a great day and we'll chat soon

All the best

Dave

 

[MCKENNA77]

So if you dont collect the WWII Hitler what about the WWI Corporal Hitler?

 

[Currahee Chris]

So if you dont collect the WWII Hitler what about the WWI Corporal Hitler?

Well, I think a couple guys mentioned that one. I don't have any intention of buying any of the WW1 stuff right now so it really isn't an issue for me personally but from what I gather, it seems like the Cpl Hitler is more popular than the Fuhrer.

STANDS ALONE!!
CC

 

[Warrior]

Do any of you recall the famous "last image of Hitler" and it consists of him awarding medals to the young defenders of Berlin, pinching the cheek of one of the boys, a scene replicated extremely well in "The Downfall"? How about a set like that incorporated into the Berlin series, maybe you could do a whole diorama around it; just my .02 for what it's worth.............