King & Country WS085 – Prepare to Fire

Unboxing King & Country WS085 – Prepare to Fire

King & Country WS085 — Prepare to Fire is a dramatic two-figure set from the Battle of the Bulge series. Sculpted in 1:30 scale, it features a pair of German infantrymen in winter gear — one shouldering his Kar98k Mauser rifle, the other aiming with his MP40 submachine gun. Both are caught in the tense moment of preparing to engage, a snapshot of the desperate fighting in the Ardennes during late 1944.

Pairs Well With…

WS085 pairs seamlessly with other late-war German infantry figures, including:

• WS084 Winter Sledge by King & Country (RETIRED)
• WS086 Moving Forward by King & Country (RETIRED)
• WS081 Kettenkrad (Motorcycle) by King & Country (RETIRED)
• WS082 MG42 Set by King and Country (RETIRED)

Together, these create a cohesive fire team, perfect for dioramas of the frozen forests of the Ardennes during the Battle of the Bulge.

Historical Context – German Infantry at Bastogne

During the Battle of the Bulge, German infantry fought in brutal winter conditions through the forests of the Ardennes. At Bastogne, they attempted to encircle and crush the 101st Airborne Division. Equipped with rifles like the Kar98k and submachine guns such as the MP40, German squads relied on small-unit tactics to try to overwhelm the American defenses.

However, despite fierce assaults and initial breakthroughs, German forces at Bastogne were ultimately stalled. The combination of American resilience, artillery support, and dwindling German supplies ensured that the encircled paratroopers held on. Sets like WS085 capture those critical moments when German infantry prepared to fire from the frozen tree lines, locked in a struggle that determined the fate of the Western Front.

Collector’s Notes on King & Country WS085

Released in the mid-2000s as part of the Battle of the Bulge collection, WS085 has since been retired, making it highly desirable for collectors. Depending on condition, boxed sets typically sell in the $60–$85 range. In addition, collectors prize it for the way it pairs seamlessly with other German winter troops, creating realistic squad-level dioramas.

Final Thoughts

King & Country WS085 — Prepare to Fire is more than just a miniature set; it’s a frozen moment in time. The pairing of a Mauser rifleman and MP40 gunner adds variety, realism, and narrative tension to any Battle of the Bulge display. Furthermore, when combined with other German figures or posed against Allied defenders, this two-man team helps recreate the bitter fight for Bastogne and brings WWII history to life in 1:30 scale.

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