D-Day Americans

KACDD175 - "Liberation!"

One of the more pleasant aspects of the Allied drive through France was the rapturous welcome "Tommies" and "Yanks" received when they liberated French towns and villages. Here this "Tom" is delighted to get an enthusiastic hug and a kiss from a pretty...

KACDD189 - Valentine MK III

This third and final version of the K&C "Valentine" tank is in the markings of the British 11th. Armored Division. Formed in 1941, the division was kept in the U.K. for home defense but eventually landed on Juno Beach on D.DAY + 7. Thereafter it took...

KACDD190 - Shooting Officer

Binos in one hand, .455 Webley Service revolver in the other this officer leads his men into the attack.

KACDD191 - Sergeant firing 'Tommy' Gun

In the early days of the Commandos, the Thompson sub machine gun was one of the main weapons of choice...This NCO takes careful aim with his.

KACDD192 - Lance Corporal Bren Gunner

Classic action pose with the classic Light Machine Gun...providing covering fire.

KACDD193 - Standing Firing Rifle

This Commando is using the Second World War version of the great Lee Enfield rifle...The No.4 Mk.I, began to be issued in 1941 and the Commandos were among the first units to receive the new revised weapon.

KACDD194 - Kneeling Firing Rifle

KACDD195 - Radio Operator

Carrying the large British back-pack field radio most operators also carried a side arm...In this case a Browing 9mm Automatic.

KACDD196 - Crouching Sergeant w/'Tommy' Gun

Another senior NCO in a typical Commando pose... 'Tommy' gun at the ready.

KACDD197 - Advancing Rifleman

Cautiously edging forward expecting trouble at any time.

KACDD198 - Taking Out The Guard

This great fighting double...is a little one-sided...the poor German guard never knew what hit him! A Commando dagger thrust in the side of the back was reckoned to be so painful you couldn't even scream!!!

KACDD199 - Grenadier

This Commando is just about to throw his "Mills" bomb at the enemy.

KACDD200 - Knife To The Neck

Another knifing technique is the stab to the side of the neck...Extremely painful but the victim will bleed to death in seconds...a bit messy though!

KACDD201 - Crawling Commando

Knife in one hand this Commando is about to take care of the third unfortunate guard...

KACDD228 - US Army Tank Riders Set #1

Two kneeling GI's, one with an "M1 Garand", the other with the "M1 Carbine"... can work equally well on the back of a fighting vehicle or on the ground.

KACDD229 - US Army Tank Riders Set #2

Two more GI's, one kneeling, one sitting, armed with another "M1 Garand" and a "Browning Automatic Rifle". As flexible as the previous DD228.

KACDD235 - "A Quick Knee to the Groin"

The polite way of saying..."a swift knee to the balls!" Fighting in a non - conventional manner demands utilizing all methods of hand-to-hand fighting...none of them nice...as these two figures amply illustrate.

KACDD236 -Tank Back-Pack Set

Three different sets of extra supplies. Perfect for both Allied and Axis fighting vehicles.

KACDD241 - Walking Wounded

Even in the midst of victory there are still "casualties"...One GI helps his buddy to the nearest Aid Station.

KACDD243 - "Cheers!"

This GI, during a lull in the battle, takes out his canteen to refresh himself...Is it water...or some of that fine French wine him and his buddies "liberated" the day before?

KACDD256 - Advancing Tommy Gunner

This corporal carrying the Thompson stealthily moves forward stalking an enemy sentry perhaps.

KACDD257 - Crouching Officer w/ Pistol

A junior subaltern, pistol in hand, observes an enemy position.

KACDD258 - Dueling Pistols

Another great little fighting duo...A commando shoots the enemy soldier while grappling his opponent's pistol into the air.

KACDD260 - Sssh...!

A single commando warns his mates to keep quiet as an enemy sentry approaches...

KACDD275 - Capt. Dale Dye... Weapons Training

As many of you war movie buffs know Capt. Dale Dye USMC ret'd has carved out a unique place for himself in the film world. He has worked both behind and in front of the cameras on such outstanding movies and TV series as "Platoon"..."Born on the Fourth...

KACDD280 - Tank Crews Set #1

Two U.S. Army "Tankers" enjoy a brew of coffee while they take a brief respite from battle.

KACDD281 - Tank Crews Set #2

Another two dismounted "Tankers" take a break to eat some chow and stretch their legs.

KACDD282 - Tank Crews Set #3

Although these guys have dismounted they're taking no chances...There might be some Krauts still around...Hence the "Grease Gun" and the "Tommy Gun" close at hand.

KACDD285-2 - US Paratroopers Covering Fire (101st Airborne)

A great little 2-paratrooper set showing a radioman firing his M1 Carbine while his buddy, armed with a 'Tommy Gun' leans forward in support.

KACDD287-1 - US Paratroopers Blast Injury (82nd)

One more 2-man set... A mortar shell has exploded nearby and as this badly-wounded paratrooper struggles to get to his feet another trooper rushes over to help.

KACDD287-2 - US Paratroopers Blast Injury (101st)

One more 2-man set... A mortar shell has exploded nearby and as this badly-wounded paratrooper struggles to get to his feet another trooper rushes over to help. As before but with the 101st patch on the left shoulder.

KACDD288-1 - US Paratroopers Moving Forward ... Cautiously! (82nd)

Two Riflemen stealthily make their way forward... one also carries a grenade. The enemy must be close by...

KACDD289 - A Taste of Real Chocolate from WW2 U.S. Airborne

A charming little vignette showing a young French girl clutching a small "Stars'n Stripes" in her tiny hands and greeting one of her U.S. Airborne "liberators". As you can see this "Mohawk" Paratrooper belongs to the 101st. "Screamin' Eagles" Division...

KACDD311 - Machine Gun Team

The .30 cal. machine gun was usually not part of the regular rifle platoon weapons list... They were attached to battalions and companies who would then supply them to platoons whenever or wherever it was deemed necessary. Our 2-man team would provide a...

KACDD313 - Turning BAR Gunner

The standard U.S. Army Squad Light Machine Gun was the M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle (the B.A.R.). It used a twenty-round box magazine and performed in a similar squad support role as the British Bren. Our BAR Gunner appears to be looking around a...

KACDD319 - D.DAY Command Set

A Ranger Sergeant takes careful aim with his M1 carbine as his Captain lets loose a burst of tommy-gun fire in support.

KACDD321 - "Hitting the Beach" Set #1

This is the last 4-man set of Rangers in our 75th Anniversary commemoration of June 6, 1944.Included in this set are three more Rangers in various 'action' poses moving forward under fire with their M1 'Garand' rifles.  A fourth crouching Ranger supports...

KACDD323 - Demolition Man

Among the first men onto Omaha Beach were these soldiers carrying 12 pound 'pack charges' fixed to the end of long wooden poles.  These were specifically designed to be shoved into a pillbox opening.

KACDD324 - The Flame Thrower Team

This 2-man set shows two kneeling Rangers, one carrying the "Man-Portable M2-2 Flamethrower".  This had a 'burn-duration' of just 9 seconds and could hurl a jet of flame up to 40 yards.  It was mainly used against enemy bunkers and fixed defences...

KACDD326 - Advancing Under Fire

Two Ranger riflemen making their way forward.