NORMANDY TANK KILLER with PANZERSCHRECK RPzB 54
Dragon are very pleased to announce the next release in their 12" World War collectible figures range....Hugo Hartwig. On July 25th 1944, after a preliminary barrage lasting upwards of five hours, forces of the II Canadian Corps initiated a massive offensive across a seven-kilometer front, stretching from the Orne River to Bourguebus Ridge, along the entire northern slope of Verrières Ridge. Although initial successes were made by Canadian forces, strong adherence to defensive doctrine by German forces across the ridge prevented major gains. The ridge's defenders, including the 272nd Division, inflicted particularly heavy casualties on the Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada with 315 out of the 325 men who left the Canadian start line killed, wounded, or captured.
Counterattacks were carried out throughout the 25th and 26 July by Heer and Waffen SS troops and tanks, so that by the evening of 26th July, the tip of the Anglo-Canadian spearhead had been broken off and the front line pushed back between two and three kilometers. The next evening, the exhausted survivors of the 272nd were pulled out of line and sent to a quiet area on the front line near the town of Troarn to rest, reconstitute and take in replacements. It continued to reorganize until 3th August, absorbing the bulk of the disbanded 16th Luftwaffe Field Division. This brought the 272nd back up to 50-60% of its authorized strength. By being transferred to the Troarn area, the division avoided being trapped in the Falaise Pocket. Though it had fought hard during the effort to stop Operation Goodwood, much more lay ahead - fighting at Troan, retreat across the Dives, the tank battle at Lisieux and the retreat across the Seine and the low countries.
The Grenadiers of the 272nd had acquitted themselves well against British tanks, using the Panzerschreck and Panzerfaust, hand grenade bundles and antitank guns to make numerous tank kills in ten days of combat while undergoing some of the fiercest bombardments of the Normandy Campaign
Uniform:
- M42 Helmet with Camo Painting
- M42 Field Blouse
- M37 Trousers, Langehosen
- Zeltbahn splinter "A" Italian pattern - New!
- Ankle Boots (Brown) w/Gaiters - New Color!
Equipment:
- M31 Breadbag
- Wehrmacht Equipment Belt
- Combat Suspenders
- M38 Gas Mask Container
- P-38 Holster
- M31 Mess Kit
- M31 Water Bottle
Weapons:
- Walther P-38 w/Detachable Magazine
- RPzB 54 "Panzerschreck"
- RPzBGr4322 Hollow-Charge
- RPzBGr4322 Hollow-charge box
- S84/98 Bayonet w/Scabbard
Insignia:
- Collar Tabs
- Wehrmacht National Emblem
- Shoulder Tabs
Others:
- New Character Head
- Men Hands
- Clear Base Stand
- NEO 3 BO
