Dear Partners,
Welcome once more to this month’s ‘DISPATCHES’ and to say it’s a ‘mixed bag’ would be a slight understatement… and, perhaps, not do it true justice.
As per usual it takes us on a ‘magic carpet’ ride across many continents and through several historical time zones.
And so, let’s begin with the BIG items that will probably draw the most attention of our collectors around the world… ‘THE KURSK TIGERS’!
1. "The Battle of Kursk"
In March 1943, the Soviet lines along part of the Eastern Front formed a huge salient that bulged deep into the German defences.
This Russian ‘bubble’ was more that 180km (110 miles) wide and protruded almost 110km (63miles) to the west of the city of Kursk.
Hitler and his generals knew that this Soviet salient posed a major threat to the German line and the Soviets could use it to ‘kick-off’ their own Summer Offensive.
To avoid this fate Hitler and his generals decided they must destroy it with a fast-moving pincer attack from both north and south.
Then, with the defending Soviet armies trapped inside the salient, the attacking Germans could, in their own time, destroy the Russian enemy once and for all.
Another major reason for this battle was to enable the Germans to both straighten and, importantly, shorten their front line.
They could then, fortify these new positions and keep the ‘Red Army’ at bay, forcing them to exhaust themselves against reinforced German defences.
DELAYED OFFENSIVE
For an attack of this magnitude and complexity there must be an ‘element of surprise’.
Alas however, the Russians, with their extensive German spy network, already knew of the planned offensive and began to build up their own forces in that area.
Simultaneously, Hitler decided to postpone the operation believing that it was better to avoid the Russian Spring ‘Thaw’ during which the landscape was a ‘sea of mud’ making infantry and armor progress almost impossible.
Hitler himself had another important reason to delay the attack… The imminent arrival of TWO of Germany’s heaviest and most powerful tanks – the ‘Panther’ and its even heavier and more powerful battlefield partner the PzKpfw Ⅵ, better known of course, as ‘The Tiger’.
By June 1943 the German High Command received additional alarming reports of growing Soviet strength in what they had begun to call ‘The Kursk Salient’.
After relaying this to Hitler, the Fuhrer delayed the offensive for another month in order to get additional ‘Panthers’ and ‘Tigers’ from their factories in Germany transported to the Eastern Front.
FINALLY IT BEGINS…
On 5 July 1943 two German Panzer Armies attacked from north and south of the salient and moved rapidly into it with the new Panthers and Tigers in the lead.
Among those German tanks spearheading the advance were the ‘Tigers’ belonging the 2nd Waffen SS Panzer Division ‘Das Reich’ which formed an integral part of the Ⅱ SS Panzer Corps and attacked the salient from the south.
The stage was now set for what was to become, the largest tank battle in history with over 6,000 armoured vehicles from both sides taking part as well as over 4,000 aircraft and more than 2,000,000 soldiers. It was a ‘clash of armour’ the World had never seen before… or would ever see again.
In the war on the Eastern Front this battle was to prove decisive and ultimately, fatal for Hitler and his armies fighting against the Soviets.
Even though the mighty ‘Tiger’ could not change the end result its battlefield reputation remained intact and would go on to be highly respected and much-feared in other battles… in many other places from Italy to Normandy and finally onto the ruined streets of Berlin and the last desperate days of the Third Reich!
WS396(SE) " ‘Pzkpfw Ⅵ KURSK TIGER #32’"
Our latest ‘Tiger’ model is painted in the two-colour camouflage scheme of ‘Dunkelgelb’, a kind of tan / yellow and ‘Olivgruen’, a dark olive green, first introduced in February 1943.
The great majority of the ‘Tigers’ that took part in ‘Operation Zitadelle’, the German codename for the assault on the Russian salient during the Battle of Kursk were camouflaged in this manner.
Like K&C’s previously released ‘Winter Tiger 1’ this latest model also includes all of these original features: ALL-METAL HULL, TURRET and 88mm MAIN GUN… MOVING FLEXIBLE METAL TRACKS… ROLLING WHEELS with FULL SUSPENSION… FOUR OPENING HATCHES plus TWO COMPLIMENTRARY ORIGINAL CREW FIGURES.
On the eve of battle, 4 July 1943, Das Reich could muster 48 x Panzer IIIs… 33x Panzer IVs… 8 x Panzer III Command Tanks… 18 x Captured T34s… 33 Stug Self-Propelled Guns plus 10 Marder SPGs and… just 12 x Tigers.
Overall, the Germans deployed four armies alongwith a large proportion of their total tank strength on ‘Operation Zitadelle’.
In preparation for this mammoth battle a total of 259 ‘Panthers’ and around 211 ‘Tigers’ were used including those attached to the II SS Panzer Corps.
Although the battle began well for the Germans their attack soon faltered as they drove deeper into the salient and encountered stronger and fiercer Russian opposition from the well-prepared Soviet defences.
In addition, the Western Allies, Britain and America, began the invasion of Sicily and Hitler was forced to divert some of his badly-needed forces to counter this new Allied threat in the Mediterranean.
One of the units sent south was Das Reich’s fellow Waffen SS Division 'Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler' which handed over the remainder of their 'Tigers' to Das Reich as they departed.
The Battle of Kursk proved to be the last strategic offensive that the Germans were able to launch on the Eastern Front.
And even though their newest and best tanks, the Panthers and Tigers achieved spectacular ‘kill-ratios’ against the enemy there were simply not enough of them to overcome their Soviet opposition.
This latest King & Country ‘TIGER’ is a worthy addition to any collector interested in the mighty struggle that was the war on the Eastern Front.
WS397(SE) "‘Pzkpfw Ⅵ KURSK TIGER #33’"
This is the second version of this new ‘Tiger’ and includes all of the same unique features as ‘Kursk Tiger #32’.
In addition although camouflaged in the same colour scheme, the pattern is varied from #32 and the model also has two different original crew figures that can be fitted into the two open turret hatches.
AVAILABILITY: Mid November
2. "South Of The Rio Grande"
And now for something completely different! It’s a long, long way from World War Two Russia to the borderlands on either side of the Rio Grande, the winding river that separates the United States on one side to the north and Mexico on the other to the south.
For a long time, including most of the 19th Century, this entire area and the river that runs through it was rife with cattle rustling, all types of banditry and general lawlessness of every kind and shape.
Many of the cowboys and vaqueros who moved across the Rio Grande on a regular basis were easily familiar with both sides of the law and who administered it in each place.
Here are just a few prime examples…
CD028 "'Buck'"
This good ol’ boy is a Deputy Sherrif of a small Texas town on the northern
edge of the Rio Grande. Being one of the few lawmen in the small town and also responsible for the county surrounding it he comes well armed to fulfill his duties…
Learning on his trusty Winchester Repeating Rifle he also carries a holstered Colt Army Model 1860 revolver, a reminder and a momento of his military service during the recent Civil War.
CD029 "'Carlos'"
This Mexican ‘Vaquero’ is dressed in the typical style and manner of a herder of cattle and wild horses. These skilled and knowledgeable horsemen could be found on both sides of the Rio Grande depending on where the work was available and how much the cattle owner was willing to pay for their services.
In one hand he carries his Spencer Carbine. Originaly designed in 1860. This particular weapon was a shorter and lighter version of the longer and heavier rifle manufactured for the Union Army.
These carbines were specifically made for the U.S. Cavalry but were also sold to civilians.
CD030 "'Diego'"
This nattily-attired Mexican gentleman is most definitely NOT a Vaquero.
More likely he is a gunfighter available for hire to the highest bidder。
In Mexico these men were called ‘Pistoleros’ and carried a variety of weaponry including in this case a brace of revolvers and a bandoleer of ammunition for his rifle.
CD031 "'Antonio'"
Now, this heavily armed ‘Bandito’ certainly looks like he means business… Apart from his Winchester rifle, he also has a pistol and a nasty-looking dagger for good measure.
Whether in small bands or large groups these ‘banditos’ were the scourge of honest, hard-working people on both sides of the Rio Grande.
CD032 "'Clay'"
This ‘Cowpoke’ is representative of the many types of cowboy who roamed the West and provided the cattle drives with their trained personnel to herd the ‘doggies’ all the way from Texas up to the railheads in Kansas and beyond.
In one hand he has his rifle in the other, his saddle… both expensive and very necessary ‘tools of the trade’.
Special note: When a cowboy joined a new crew the trail boss would often provide an extra horse for each man even if he already had one of his own. Occasionally, the cowboy no longer had a horse but always retained the saddle.
CD034 "Standing 'Dun' Horse"
Many Cattle Drive collectors have requested more ‘empty’ horses… in different colours here is the first one…
Standing quietly, this animal is ready and waiting for its rider.
CD035 "Standing 'Chestnut' Horse"
Another colour variation of a very useful standing horse.
CD036 "Standing 'Black' Horse"
The final member of the trio stands patiently with the other two.
AVAILABILITY: Mid November
3. "Hong Kong… All our Yesterdays’"
It’s always good to see a new series being welcomed and I’m happy to report
that our recent look back into the Hong Kong of the 1960s has picked up more than a few collectors not only in Hong Kong but around the world who are also utilizing these civilian figures in some of their ‘VIETNAM’ street scenes.
Here are a few useful additions….
HKY005 "Boys Sitting Eating"
Back in the day it was not uncommon to see some kids eating their breakfast
and sometimes dinner on the street. If Mum or Dad was working at
a street stall, the kids would often be seen sitting next to or behind the stall
where their parents could still keep an eye on them.
HKY008 "The Street Barber"
Another of the most common sights in 1960s Hong Kong was this guy cutting hair… One young customer gets the standard ‘Short Back and Sides’.
Might not be fashionable but it was always cheap and… always available!
HKY009 "Mother & Child"
A very familiar sight back then was to see a young mother or perhaps an elder sister carry one of the younger ones in a traditional ‘Chinese-Style’ carrier called a ‘Mei Tai’ or ‘Bei Dai’.
This was a pliable rectangular cloth body panel, with four straps attached to each corner. The two bottom straps tie the body panel around the waist, apron style. The two top straps go up and over the shoulders and are tied together with the two bottoms straps in the middle of the carrier’s chest.
Overall this arrangement could be adjusted to suit the baby’s or young toddler’s size and weight.
This piece works very well with HKY008 who appears to be watching the young boy get his hair cut.
AVAILABILITY: Early November
4. "Gold, Frankincense & Myrrh"
Well, it’s almost Christmas and this is the time to once again journey back to the birth of Jesus and the events of a more peaceful time in the Middle East…
LOJ057 "“The Three Wise Men” Set of 3 (2nd Generation)"
One of the most requested items in our ‘Life of Jesus’ series is this little set of the Biblical Magi – also known as ‘The Three Wise Men’ who were described in the Gospel of Mathew and who were said to have visited the newly – born infant on the night of his birth.
As can be seen here we have given the Magi a more colourful (but still historically correct) makeover and, as before, present in front of them are their traditional gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh for the baby Jesus.
SP128 "“The Three Wise Camels” Set of 3 (2nd Generation)"
Well, we surmised, if K&C is going to reimagine the ‘Three Wise Men’ we also have to figure out how they journeyed all the way from the Far East to the Middle East.
Obviously, they did not walk all that way so it’s more than likely they came by camel. And, once again, we took our terrific original camel sculpts and gave them brand new and again, more colourful blankets and accessories that befit the status and prestige of their owners.
AVAILABILITY: Mid-Late November
5. "The Other Side of Sherlock Holmes"
Among the many other characters created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and who appear in several of the Sherlock Holmes’ stories, two are particularly memorable… Mr. Mycroft Holmes and Miss Irene Adler.
WOD071 "Mycroft Holmes"
Mycroft Holmes is the elder brother of the famous detective (by seven years). By profession, a senior British Government official he appears in a series of different Conan Doyle stories between 1893 and 1908.
Sherlock’s elder brother is described as sharing many of the same amazing abilities of deduction and knowledge as his more famous sleuthing brother… and in some cases, even exceeding them!
Mycroft Holmes however failed to put these exceptional powers to a practical use because of his active dislike for actual ‘fieldwork’.
This is our interpretation of Sherlock’s elder sibling, neatly attired in a pearl grey ensemble complete with a top hat.
In his right hand, a smart ebony cane… perhaps containing a sword stick.
WOD072 "Miss Irene Adler"
Irene Adler is another of the fictional characters in the Sherlock Holmes novels written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. A former opera singer and actress she was first featured in the short story, “A Scandal in Bohemia” published in 1891.
Miss Adler is one of the most notable female characters in the stories of Holmes. While not quite a criminal and bearing no malice towards the great detective, she outsmarts him and often evades many of the traps he has set for her.
Despite all of this some people interpret Miss Adler as a possible romantic interest for Holmes or perhaps a former lover who occasionally dabbles in crime.
Irene Adler’s previous profession on the stage and in the concert hall point to a very intelligent woman whose looks, poise and intelligence would and could attract even the cool, calm and collected Sherlock Holmes!
AVAILABILITY: Early November
6. "Being retired this month…"
FW233 "Tsar Nicholas II"
Nicholas Alexandrovich Romanov (1868-1918) was the last Emperor of All Russia and ruled from 1894 until his forced abdication in March 1917 and murder in 1918.
An autocratic ruler he was in favour of limited modernization of his country but resisted virtually all political change which in the end was to prove fatal for himself and his family.
Here however we see him in happier times, reviewing his troops and presenting a religious icon before them.
Like his men he wears a simple white summer tunic and cap.
FW234 "Marching w/Rifle & Bayonet"
Striding forth in typical Russian style this soldier holds his rifle firmly to the front.
FW235 "Standing Officer Saluting"
Armed with both a sabre and a pistol this officer springs smartly to attention and delivers a snappy salute.
FW236 "Presenting Arms"
Another soldier salutes a superior in ‘classic’ military fashion.
FW237 "Standing-at-Attention"
Head up, chest out with rifle and fixed bayonet held firmly by the side.
FW238 "Honouring The Icon"
Kneeling before the Tsar, cap in hand, this soldier is actually paying homage to the religious icon the Tsar is holding. Most of the Russian Imperial Army belonged to the Russian Orthodox Church and icons (religious paintings of the Holy Family and saints) were frequently displayed to the troops during parades and before going into battle.
FW239 "Senior Subaltern w/The Tsar’s Personal Standard"
Special regiments were awarded with the Tsar’s own personal flag as shown here.
This was to always be carried on parade by the senior subaltern (junior officer) of the Regiment.
FW240 "Marching Officer w/Sword"
‘Eyes Right’ sabre drawn and held to the right this parade commander, usually a Major, salutes the Tsar as he marches past.
IDF021 "Standing Syrian Sniper"
Armed with the Czech-made SKS rifle this Syrian Sniper picks out his target.
And, there you have it, a nice little ‘potpourri’ of figures from a very diverse range of subject matter PLUS two really terrific German ‘Tigers’.
All the best and… Happy Collecting!
Great Sales!
Andy C. Neilson
Co-founder & Creative Director
King & Country