DD015 Beach Assault Team Review

KING AND COUNTRY DD015

Overview

Introduction
History Section: D‑Day Beach Assaults
Collector Notes

The King & Country DD015 “Beach Assault Team” brings a slice of WWII D‑Day right into a collector’s hands. Released under the World War II – D‑Day – American product line at a 1:30 scale, this set offers finely detailed metal miniatures capturing American infantry storming the beaches. The set is comprised of an NCO leading his men, a gunner with a shouldered 30cal machine gun, and 2 riflemen in mid step. The set was part of the earlier D-Day sets and is now retired. This set is a perfect addition to the D-Day landing dioramas.

Historical Background

The D‑Day beach assaults occurred on June 6, 1944, when Allied forces launched Operation Overlord against Nazi-occupied Normandy. That morning, U.S. forces assaulted two beaches—Omaha and Utah—while British and Canadian troops hit Gold, Juno, and Sword. On Omaha, American infantry clashed with heavy German fortifications, including concrete bunkers, barbed wire, and artillery. Units such as the 1st and 29th Infantry Divisions, supported by naval bombardment and airborne drops, slowly broke through—though at high cost, with casualties numbering in the thousands. Meanwhile at Utah Beach, the landing was lighter resisted, and units like the 4th Infantry Division advanced inland more quickly.

Both beachheads’ retention proved vital for establishing supply lines into France and marked the beginning of the liberation of Western Europe. German defenders included elements of the 352nd Infantry Division, armed with MG42 machine guns, mortars, and field artillery. American infantry carried M1 Garand rifles, M1 carbines, and BARs, often advancing in squads of 8–12 using suppressive fire and small‑unit tactics. Insignia from that day included the U.S. 1st Infantry Division (“The Big Red One”), the 4th Division’s ivy leaf out‑of‑the‑box, and German Heer grey‑field uniforms adorned with national and division patches. Ultimately, despite heavy resistance and steep casualties, Allied forces secured footholds on all beaches by nightfall.

That success enabled follow‑on forces to pour into Normandy and altered the course of the war.

Collector Notes

The DD015 set is a retired King & Country product (part DD series), originally listed at USD 250 for near‑mint condition (thehistorystoreohio.com). It belongs to the World War II – D‑Day – American line at 1:30 scale (eu.nobleknight.com). Exact figure count and poses are not documented online; however, King & Country typically includes 3–6 figures per DD box, posed in dynamic assault positions with rifles and combat gear. Packaging was a shrink‑wrapped box set, often appearing in near‑mint grading (eu.nobleknight.com). Collectors should note that the DD015 “Beach Assault Team” commands strong secondary‑market value due to its retired status and D‑Day theme—current selling prices on niche sites range about USD 175–250 (nobleknight.com).

Identify authenticity by the stock code DD015 stamped on packaging or paperwork. Condition tiers such as Mint, Near‑Mint, or Shrink‑Wrapped NM matter greatly—any bending of figures or box wear significantly reduces value. Common defects include bent weapons or missing antennae, though this set contains infantry alone, so look for bends in rifles or thin bayonets. Box art is scarce; minor variations may include European vs U.S. market labeling. Overall, DD015 remains a coveted display piece for D‑Day collectors.