Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Getting ready for the break out

Once the beachheads were secured (after the success of the Normandy Landings [see my previous posts here and here] on June 6, 1944 - D-Day), a three-week military buildup occurred on the beaches before "Operation Cobra", the operation to break out from the Normandy beachhead began. The battle for Normandy continued for more than two months, with campaigns to establish a foothold on France, and concluded with the close of the Falaise pocket, the subsequent liberation of Paris on 25 August 1944, and the German retreat across the Seine which was completed on 30 August 1944. [source: wiki]

My 1/6 scale 12-inch Americans soldiers in Willys jeep getting ready for the break out from Normandy beach


US Army Military Police "Lou" from Dragon ensuring all traffic flows smoothly and that there should be no cock-ups or FUBAR

Occupants of the jeep look vaguely familiar

"Bruce" as in "Bruce Willis" wearing Takara Combat Joe World War II US Army Infantryman attire (more head sculpts of Bruce posted here). Throughout his film career, Willis has depicted several military characters in films such as "The Siege", "Hart's War", "Tears of the Sun" and "Grindhouse". Growing up in a military family, Willis has been publicly supportive of the United States armed forces.

Dragon "Steiner" head sculpt wearing Cotswold US Army Ranger outfit ("Steiner" was released by Dragon as a WWII Eastern Front Wehrmacht Unteroffizier based on James Coburn in "Cross of Iron (1977)". James Coburn was an American film and television actor who appeared in nearly 70 films including "Hell is for Heroes (1962)" and "The Great Escape (1963)", and made over 100 television appearances in his 45-year career.

Dragon's Private "Scott", WWII Rifleman with 4th Infantry Division, Normandy 1944

Dragon 1/6 scale 12-inch US Army Military Police "Lou"

More pictures of the Willys Jeep posted here


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2 comments:

  1. The RebelJune 9, 2009 at 1:19 PM

    Hey Alex. Have u done a review on that particular "Scott" 'Rifleman' figure before? I'd like to have a detailed look on that. Thinkin of gettin that one plus that "Dave" sergeant figure frm the same Dragon line. Maybe u've done a review on them that I've missed.

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  2. alex teoJune 9, 2009 at 1:45 PM

    hi rebel, haven't got around to reviewing rifleman "Scott". I also have "Dave" somewhere. These two were among the first WWII US soldiers released by Dragon. IMHO, Dragon's later series i.e. "The Road to Victory" series were better because Dragon had improved on their equipment by then, with cloth pouches and proper webbing/suspenders - much more realistic and 1/6 accurate than their earlier releases. Just my two cents worth. CHEERS!

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