Author Darren Neely in his book’s Introduction,
The book covers the history of the SS Panzer Battalion 501 in the Battle of The Bulge (Ardennes for the Germans). The book is divided into 5 chapters with an Introduction, Conclusion, Notes and Bibliography at the end of the book. Each chapter in turn is divided into individual sections dealing with specific points. The book contains a total of 169 pages, 191 black and white photos, 7 maps and 1 order of battle table. The unit was attached to the 1st. SS Panzer Division Liebstandart Adolph Hitler (LSSAH) another unit of was the 12th. Panzer Division. The goal of the unit was to reach the port of Antwerp and thus divide the Allied units in two. The unit personnel were very experienced. One of the biggest problems the unit had was the great deal of maintenance and mechanical problems that plagued the unit.
Initially developed by the British and used heavily by US Forces, the Landing Craft Tank, or LCT was developed to give amphibious landings the added punch of armor early in an operation. Over 950 MK 6s were eventually built by the US and used any time an amphib operation needed to put ashore tanks. Both the Korean and Viet Nam wars saw LCT’s in action. With a displacement of 284 short tons, with a LOA of 119” and a beam of 32’ 8” these work horses had an incredible draft of 3’ 4” at the bow allowing them to put their cargo right on the beach. Powered by 3 225 HP Gray Marine diesel engines and three shafts delivered a maximum speed of 7 knots with a range of 700 nautical miles. The capacity was rated at 150 short tons of personal and cargo which included tanks, trucks, and towed artillery. The LCT’s protected themselves with two single mount 20MM Anti-aircraft guns and had a crew of 12.
From the ICM website -
The modern Special Operations Forces (SOF) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were created in 2016 on the basis of existing units and subunits, most of which already had some combat experience. As of the summer of 2023, the Ukrainian Special Operations Forces are based on two special purpose regiments – a special purpose maritime center, a special operations center and several other units. Their main tasks include in-depth reconnaissance, combat raids behind enemy lines, search and evacuation of captives or hostages, and anti-terrorist activities.
ICM has provided this very midget Submarine for review, in 1/72 scale of the U-boat Type ‘Molch’. The Molch was a single seat ultra small submarine developed for costal operations. With serial production starting in July 1944 with around 393 were produced in the Bremen. They operated mainly in the Mediterranean and North Sea completing round 140 missions.
The detail quality is excellent.
The Assembly is quick and easy.
