Battle Craft

The Battle of the Bulge was the perfect storm for the Allies in late 1944; a tired army, overstretched supply lines, and poor intelligence on what was waiting on the other side of the hill. On 16th December, with almost complete surprise, the Germans launched their last major offensive in the West. Emerging from thick fog and through the dense woodland of the Ardennes nearly 500,000 German troops slammed into American lines. For almost a week the Germans were able to make good ground, and the glory days of 1940 beckoned as they crushed all resistances before them, often with extreme cruelty. On Christmas Eve, the Germans had lost their initial advantage, the skies cleared and air support returned. For the next 3 weeks the battle hung in the balance. For the Americans the Battle of the Bulge would be the deadliest single battle of the Second World War. This Battle Craft title also looks at four pieces of military hardware that were involved in these legendary battles. Massive King Tigers rained down terror and destruction among the Allies M4's and other armor, until the arrival of nimble M18 Hellcats which counted for several King Tigers. Over head the almost uncatchable ME262 battled with its own nemesis, the virtually indestructible P-47. The Quartermaster section provides the modeler with an insight into the development and operational use of the four chosen vehicles and aircraft that were involved in the Battle of the Bulge. A selection of historical and contemporary photos and illustrations feature alongside stunning showcase builds, providing the modeler with subjects to whet the creative appetite. It also features details of model kits and extras that can really help the modeler bring military history to life.

Every General's aim is to end a war by Christmas, and Montgomery, perhaps, saw his opportunity in a bold strike across the southern portion of the Netherlands close to the borders of an embattled Reich. Still heady from earlier victories in the Normandy campaign, the plan to push deep into enemy territory, with land and airborne forces, was as daring as it was dangerous. Some would say the furthest objective, Arnhem Bridge, was a Bridge too Far. Separated into two distinct elements, Market, the airborne assault, was designed to capture the vital bridges across the many rivers and canals that were needed. Garden, the ground assault, would ensure the bridges were soon part of a wider Allied salient. However, planning and intelligence was as not as thorough as it had been in previous operations and Market Garden turned from glorious adventure, with easily achievable aims, to an almost devastating defeat. This Battle Craft title also looks at four pieces of military hardware that were involved in these legendary battles. Representing the land forces are the Triumph HW3 motorcycle, a dispatch riders stalwart and the unique German Sd.Kfz.2 Kettenkrad. These amazing machines were vital in maintaining lines of communications. On the main route of the march, the state-of-the-art British Cromwell duelled valiantly against the deadly Panther Ausf G. The Quartermaster section provides the modeller with an insight into the development and operational use of the four chosen vehicles that were involved in Market Garden. A selection of historical and contemporary photos and illustrations feature alongside stunning showcase builds, providing the modeller with subjects to whet the creative appetite. It also features details of model kits and extras that can really help the modeller bring military history to life.

The very name Stalingrad has become synonymous with military folly and political arrogance. Its capture by the Wehrmacht was a crushing defeat, both militarily and politically, for the Red Army. The 6th Army was a highly experienced key element of Army Group South. In late June 1942 it rolled eastwards as part of the summer offensive to capture the vital oilfields of Baku and secure the city on the Volga that bore the name of the Soviet leader. The 6th Army was the acme of German military might and on paper it should have easily overwhelmed the defenders of Chuikov's 62nd Army. However its commander, General Friedrich Wilhelm Ernst Paulus, lacked field experience. His army would pay the price. Stalingrad was a new type of battlefield and it would test the mettle of attacker and defender to the very limit, all the while the thermometer plunged. This BattleCraft title also looks at four pieces of military hardware. Innumerable T-34's, which often rolled off local assembly lines unpainted and straight into battle took on the Stug III assault gun as it supported troops fighting for mere meters of territory. Overhead, in the frigid air, deadly V, Ju87 Stuka and Yak 9s, were locked in battle for air superiority over the shattered remains of a once vibrant city. A selection of historical and contemporary photos and illustrations are included in this book alongside stunning showcase builds, providing the modeler with subjects to whet the creative appetite. It also features details of model kits and extras that can really help the modeler bring military history to life.