Siege of Bastogne bundle - The Americans in 1:72

Product description

Step back in time to the Siege of Bastogne and share this piece of history. Recreate M4 Sherman tanks fighting German Tigers, Easy Company standing guard in the woods around Foy, and show why American artillery was so important in this battle.

This package is composed of several products, selected for their historical background. In this case, their presence at the siege of Bastogne from the 20th to 27th December 1944.

What do you get with this bundle?

• one Sherman Tank of your choice
• one Willy's Jeep of your choice
• one M7 Priest of your choice
• one set of figures of your choice

Per product you can choose the brand you want! Or choose ''None'' if you don't want a certain part, but you do want the rest. This will make the price even lower.

The price may vary due to the different choices. But with this package you save 5% on each item.

History

The Battle of Bastogne was a battle during World War II in and around the Belgian town of Bastogne as part of the Battle of the Bulge. The battle began on the 20th of December 1944 and lasted until the 27th of December 1944. The offensive ended in an Allied victory. The battle caused many casualties, both on the Allied and German sides.

On the 16 the of December 1944, the Germans launched an offensive with 24 divisions against the rapidly advancing Allied troops on the Western Front, with the aim of splitting the Allied armies and then advancing to Antwerp. The Allies were completely surprised by the German attack and from the 16th to 20th of December, German troops advanced to Stavelot, Sankt Vith, Houffalize and the strategically important traffic junction of Bastogne.

Eisenhower therefore sent the 101st Airborne Division to the city, under the command of Anthony McAuliffe. They arrived on 18 December. With them – just before the net closed around Bastogne – slipped in a regiment of the 10th US Armored Division, the 705th Tank Destroyer Battalion and several heavy artillery units. By 20 December, Bastogne was surrounded by the Germans. The Germans made every effort to capture the city, which led to the Battle of Bastogne. The delay in the German advance because of the Battle of Bastogne proved crucial to the further course of the offensive.

On the 22th of December, the Germans – at the instigation of Fritz Bayerlein and Luttwitz, against the orders of Hasso von Manteuffel – demanded surrender. This was followed by the famous American response 'Nuts'. From the 23th of December and onwards, the encircled Allies were supplied by airlift, while they pounded the Germans during their siege.

On December 25th, a large-scale attack on the besieged city was repulsed. Another limited attack followed the next day.

Meanwhile, the Allied US 3rd Army (under General George Patton) had swung from east to north and was advancing toward Bastogne. The US 37th Tank Battalion (under Creighton Abrams) broke through the German encirclement in the south at 16:45 on the 26th of December.

This victory was a great morale boost for the Allies.