Corgi Combat Dioramas

The first village to be liberated behind Omaha Beach was Vierville. By mid-day on June 6, 1944, US forces had taken the village and tanks from the 741st Tank Battalion moved in. The 741st had lost 79 tanks during the landings, many sinking to the bottom of the sea during the initial assault. With the aid of naval gunfire and reinforcements, however, the 741st was once again able to achieve its mission and support the infantry as they moved inland.

It was important for the German 352.Infanterie Division to hold Vierville and the draw that led up to it from the beaches. Once through the bluffs, the US forces could begin to fan out and flank German positions along the beaches. After intense Allied air and sea bombardment, the unprotected German units behind the beachheads were ready to surrender.

One of the only biplane fighters to have any measurable success in the Second World War, the Gloster Gladiator was the product of a bygone era combining with modernity for one last fling.

Its gull-wing shape made it instantly recognizeable. Its characteristic sound while in an attack dive led the Japanese to call it "The Whistling Death." Combined with its high speed, agility and toughness, the Vought F4U Corsair was one of the finest fighters ever built.