 Valiant
Miniatures BRITISH
PARATROOPERS
ARNHEM 1944
It is interesting to note
that some of the most inspiring feats in military
history are those in which the tactical or
strategic objectives failed to be achieved. The
Battle Honour ARNHEM, for example, ranks above all
others in the Parachute Regiment, in spite of the
fact that the operation was a failure.
The original plan was to drop
a substantial airborne force behind the German
lines to seize the vital Rhine delta bridges at
Arnhem and Nijmegen, and then to effect a link-up
with tank forces on the ground. The landings took
place on September 17, 1944 and went according to
plan, but the ensuing link-up did not. Two SS
Panzer Divisions suddenly materialized in the area,
and the paratroopers soon found themselves fighting
for their lives. For ten days they held out under
appalling conditions along an ever-shrinking
perimeter, but by then it had become clear that
bridgehead could no longer be held, and the
embattled survivors were ordered to break out.
Casualties were extremely heavy; of the 10,000
paratroopers and glider pilots who had landed,
barely 2,000 finally managed to reach their own
lines.
HOBBY
KIT 9794
BRITISH STEN GUNNER, 1944
(Retail US$14.99)
These are unpainted
and unassembled metal hobby kits.
Unless otherwise noted, these kits are in the
International 54mm
Collectors Scale. Standing figurines are approx.
2-1/2" - 3" tall.
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