British The 8th Army

The men of the LRDG were definitely not “Parade Ground” soldiers. They included in their number many individualists who operated best in small unit operations. Here, an LRDG officer consults his map while his “dismounted” driver examines a captured MP40 “Schmeisser” machine pistol ... Their casual and comfortable style of mixed uniforms would give any Regimental Sergeant Major a heart attack!

John R. Easonsmith, known to his friends as “Jack”, was born in Bristol, England in 1909. He joined his local Territorial Army unit in 1939 as a Private and by 1940 had been promoted to Sergeant and recommended for a commission. In December 1940 he was posted to the Middle East and volunteered for the Long Range Desert Group. As a Lieutenant he first commanded the New Zealand ‘R1’ Patrol before being promoted to Captain in August 1941. He led the highly successful BARCE RAID which disrupted German and Italian communications as well as putting out of action an Axis airfield there and destroying over 30 enemy aircraft parked around the airstrip. In October 1942 “Jack” Easonsmith was awarded the Distinguished Service Order in addition to a Military Cross given to him earlier ... and promoted to Major. One year later, by now a Lieutenant Colonel, he commanded the entire LRDG during an ill-fated campaign in the Dodacanese Islands off Greece. Here, he was killed in action on November, 1943 d

This is the first of 2 “Attack Jeeps” K&C are producing. This one mounts a heavy .50 calibre machine gun opposite the front passenger seat and a pair of Vickers .303 machine guns on the back. Plentiful supplies of water and petrol are also carried as well extra ammunition. A 2-man crew completes the set.

After the success of the “Normandy” version of this British Armoured Car we had quite a few requests to produce an 8th Army Humber... and here it is! This one has the normal ‘desert sand’ colour oversprayed with a ‘stone grey’ camouflage pattern. The vehicle includes a commander in the open turret hatch. Our model is in 7th Armoured Division, “The Desert Rats” markings. - See more at: http://www.kingandcountry.com/humber-mkii-armoured-british-eighth-army-p-10260.html#sthash.iVnvwx1d.dpuf

CSM John Osborn V.C. leads 3 of his Winnipeg Grenadiers into battle. In one hand he holds his ‘Tommy-Gun’, in the other a grenade. All 3 infantrymen carry the standard British .303 Lee Enfield Rifle.