DD057 COMMANDO ATTACK BY KING & COUNTRY
Overview
Introduction
History Section
Collector Notes
The King & Country DD057 “Commando Attack” set presents a dynamic quartet of British WWII commandos in action. Released in July 2005 as part of the D‑Day ’44 British series, the set features an NCO firing a Sten gun leading three commandos—two with Lee‑Enfield rifles and one manning a Bren light machine gun. Cast in lead/tin alloy at approximately 1:30 scale, each figure stands on an oval profiled pedestal. Retired by May 2007, it remains a sought‑after piece among collectors of historical miniatures.
Historical Background
The miniatures of the DD057 set depict British Commandos, elite raiding forces of the Second World War. Formed in 1940 under Churchill’s directive, commandos executed daring raids across occupied Europe to disrupt German operations. These forces saw action from the famous St. Nazaire raid in March 1942 to later operations in Normandy following D‑Day. Operating in small, highly trained units, commandos wielded the compact Sten submachine gun for close combat, Lee‑Enfield rifles for longer ranges, and the Bren light machine gun for suppressive fire—exactly the weapons seen in this set. In particular, after the Normandy landings on June 6, 1944, commandos advanced swiftly along the French coast, aiding Allied breakout and liberation efforts.
Their raids damaged infrastructure, weakened enemy morale, and diverted German forces from larger fronts. Ultimately, commando operations accelerated the collapse of German defensive lines and contributed markedly to the Allied advance through Western Europe, showcasing the strategic impact of specially trained light infantry.
Collector Notes
King & Country manufactured DD057 in July 2005 and retired it by May 2007 (sagerssoldiers.com). The set is cast from a lead/tin alloy in 1:30 scale, factory‑painted, and mounted on oval profiled pedestals (lastdodo.com). Typical secondary‑market prices range around USD 125 as of listings on collector forums (forum.treefrogtreasures.com). Collector tips: Inspect paint wear, especially on the Sten barrel and Bren details. Check pedestal attachment for looseness. Boxed Near‑Mint examples appear in auctions; Vectis estimated a paired lot (DD057 + DD058) at £50–70 (vectis.co.uk). Retired status increases desirability; completeness, pedestal integrity, and original finish matter. Expect fluctuation in market value between USD 100–150 depending on condition and packaging.
As an eBay Partner Network Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
