1. "The Battle of Goose Green... The Aftermath"

The first crucial land battle of the Falklands War took place over 14 hours on May 28-29, 1982.

Located on East Falkland’s central isthmus, the settlement of Goose Green was also the site of a small airfield. Almost 1200 Argentinean forces, mostly army but some airforce, were in a series of well-defended positions, within striking distance of San Carlos Water, where the British task force had just made its successful amphibious landing and therefor posed a potential threat.

The main British assault force consisted of the 2^nd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment (2 Para) together with a troop of three 105mm guns from 29 Commando Regt., Royal Artillery and one Milan anti-tank missile platoon plus several Scout helicopters. In addition, close air support was provided by three Royal Air Force Harriers and naval gunfire from a Royal Navy frigate, HMS Arrow.

THE ATTACK

Initial intelligence suggested that Goose Green was lightly defended however as the British paras began moving forward across the bare, windswept landscape they came under increasing enemy fire while still managing to force some of their Argentinean opponents to fall back.

As the enemy retired they combined with other units and actually strengthened their defence line bringing down heavy machine gunfire on the advancing British forcing them to take cover.

With the advance held up 2 Para’s commanding officer, Lt. Col. ‘H’. Jones moved forward to see for himself the situation on the ground.

To regain the initiative and inspire his men Colonel H. led a charge towards one of the main enemy trenches and was fatally shot down by an Argentine army sniper.

In the hours following the death of their colonel the various elements of 2 Para began moving forward once more fighting a continuing series of fierce skirmishes and fire fights that again forced the enemy back.

BATTLEFIELD SITUATION

By last light on 28 May the British Paratroopers had, after many hours of fighting, surrounded, but not captured, the enemy position at Goose Green. The paras were exhausted, cold and low on water, food and ammunition and their temporary commander, Major Chris Keeble came up with a cunning plan… He sent a message to the Argentine garrison commander offering him the opportunity to surrender his force and save lives or face an ongoing battle the next morning where he and his men would suffer the horrendous consequences… and many more casualties.

Early the following day, 29 May, the enemy commander agreed to an unconditional surrender and the Argentineans laid down their arms.

An amazing and vitally important victory was won by guts, perseverance and more than a little guile too!

THE AFTERMATH

No battle, no matter how successful, comes without a cost…

The British lost 18 killed (16 Paras, one Royal Marine pilot and one commando engineer) and 64 wounded.

The Argentine forces had almost 60 killed, another 86 wounded and more than 950 captured.

This latest ‘Falklands’ release shows six soldiers of both nations (3 paras and 3 Argentineans) in the immediate aftermath of the surrender as the British ‘Toms’ disarm and escort their prisoners towards a secure holding area.

Special Falklands Note: K&C is already hard at work on additional British Forces in action, including a special figure of Lieut. Col ‘H’ Jones, Victoria Cross and one of Britain’s finest little fighting vehicles… a Blues & Royals ‘Scorpion’ Light Tank Plus some more of the opposition defending their positions.

AVAILABILITY: NOW!

2. "... And Now For Something Completely Different!"

From the cold, bare windswept islands of the South Atlantic to the grey cobblestone streets and boulevards of Napoleonic Paris in the Age of Bonaparte…

That’s a fairly long leap historically as well as geographically speaking but in the wonderful world of toy soldiers and military miniatures nothing is impossible…

Special Note: The Boy Musicians and the Drum Major are only available as part of the special seven-figure set.

AVAILABILITY: Now!

3. "On The Streets of Old Saigon"

Once more we journey from Paris, France to the streets of what was once one of the principal cities of French Indo China… Saigon.

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4. "Bluejackets In Action"

World War II U.S. Navy uniforms have a unique lineage that dates all the way back to the War of Independence.

All the uniform details such as bell-bottom trousers, neckerchiefs and sailors collars all evolved from decorative or functional items of past naval uniforms and modes of dress.

This means that when certain uniform features become several generations old, they often become ‘traditions’.

It is these traditions that still inspire pride in every sailor who wears the uniform of the United States Navy.

One tradition that began in the mid 19^th Century and lasted well into the 20^th Century was the term of referring to sailors as ‘bluejackets’.

This came about from the introduction of the regulation navy-blue jumpers, bell-bottoms and caps for all enlisted seamen.

Eventually the navy blue uniform would become cold weather wear and part of the full dress parade uniform.

These latest U.S. Navy sailors / bluejackets are an alternative version of K&C’s long-retired but very popular ‘Sand Pebbles’ crew from a few year back.

Then all of our ship’s crew were dressed in ‘undress whites’ suitable for service in the tropics and the Far East.

The only exception were a pair of ‘swabbies’ on shore patrol duty. Personally speaking I’ve always liked the navy blue uniform and thought it would be fun to provide the alternative.

Although these first four sailors are in familiar poses lookout for future releases of all-new U.S. Navy sailors in their ‘bluejacket’ landing party role.

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5. "KOKODA: The Long Bloody Trail"

By the middle of 1942 Japan’s empire extended in depth across vast tracts of China, the Pacific and Southeast Asia. During the six months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hong Kong had fallen, rapidly followed by Malaya and Singapore, then the Philippines and finally, the Dutch East Indies.

Now the Japanese stood poised to attack Australia’s territory in New Guinea, just one hundred miles north of the great southern continent.

With New Guinea as a forward base Japan’s navy and airforce could attack Australia, threaten its link to America and also act as a ‘shield’ to protect its newly-acquired Dutch East Indies.

Beginning in March 1942 the Japanese had already landed at various points on the north coast of New Guinea and started to advance towards the key objective, Port Moresby, the territory’s capital and main port.

In May 1942 however, the Battle of the Coral Sea thwarted an additional Japanese plan to launch an amphibious assault directly on the port.

The main effort now would be an overland thrust south westwards along the Kokoda Trail (or track) running across the rugged Owen Stanley Mountains via the native village of Kokoda.

At this time, the island’s Australian commander mistakenly believed the Trail was impassable for large-scale troop movements and the Japanese only encountered minimal resistance from a small force of New Guinea volunteers.

By the end of July 1942 the Japanese had captured Kokoda and brought almost 14,000 battle-hardened troops into action.

FIGHTING WITHDRAWAL

As the military situation deteriorated more experienced Australian units began arriving at Port Moresby and were immediately rushed northwards to the front-line towards the rapidly advancing Japanese.

Following the first clash of arms on August 26 the Australian reinforcements were pushed back once more to a ridge overlooking Port Moresby.

Once there fresh Australian reinforcements arrived to bolster the Aussie line and the fighting moved elsewhere.

Soon however the Japanese realized they had seriously over-extended their supply lines resulting in severe shortages of food and ammunition.

Even in retreat however the Japanese could still prove a deadly foe and many more battles were to take place before, in November 1942, the Aussies managed to retake Kokoda itself and a nearby airfield.

AUSSIE GRIT & GUTS

The struggle for the Kokoda Trail was marked by great courage and endurance in the most appalling conditions by the soldiers of both sides.

Those who took part would never forget the harsh physical and mental demands of fighting in a steep mountainous terrain with the constant damp of the tropical jungle and the ever-present dangers of disease and discomfort.

For Australians in particular the Kokoda Trail Campaign is a testament to their amazing endurance and tenacity that equals even the Legend of Gallipoli.

This new King & Country series of figures once more pays tribute to the honour, memory and sacrifice of all the Australian fighting men who fought and died on that long bloody trail in a place called ‘KOKODA’.

AVAILABILITY: NOW!

6. "BEING RETIRED..."