The elite Rangers of the US Army were instrumental in many key actions in North Africa, Italy, North-West Europe and the Pacific theatre. The US Rangers also provided the core of the US/Canadian First Special Service Force, such was their great reputation. When the US entered the Second World War in 1941, it had no army units capable of performing the specialised raiding missions being undertaken by the British commandos with such daring. This was to change when Major William Darby was chosen to command the fledgling Rangers while based in Northern Ireland. The Rangers were organised to follow closely the formations of the British Commandos, and underwent strenuous training at the famed Commando Training School in Scotland. The Rangers played a vital role in the Allied invasion of French North Africa, Operation Torch. Their success led to the formation of four further Ranger battalions which had pivotal roles in the landings in Sicily in 1943 and the subsequent advance into mainland Italy. On the beaches of Normandy, France, during Operation Overlord, the 2nd Ranger Battalion daringly scaled the cliffs of Pointe du Hoc, which overlooked Omaha Beach, to destroy German gun emplacements targeting troops landing on the beachhead. Meanwhile the remainder of 2nd Battalion and the entirety of the 5th Ranger Battalion fought their way ashore Omaha Beach. The D-Day missions earned the Rangers their motto, ‘Rangers, lead the way!’ Box Contains: Enough plastic components to make 30 US Rangers infantry miniatures. A host of options to allow for different weapon configurations and command models. Additional equipment: M1 Garand rifle, M1 carbine, Thompson SMG, M1 Bazooka, BAR, Bangalore torpedoes, Satchel charges, hand grenades, Browning pistol, Springfield M1903A4 sniper rifle, pick/mattocks, axes & wire cutters Additional heads inspired by the epic movie, Saving Private Ryan. Plastic bases. Assembly & painting guide. Full-colour waterslide decals Note: Models supplied unassembled and unpainted
