German Paratrooper - Battle of Crete

The Battle of Crete: German Paratrooper Premium Format figure is a stunning 1:4 scale museum quality piece, detailing the unique uniform and gear of the Airborne soldiers of the Second World War. Each piece is individually painted and finished with its own unique quality and detail, the trademark of a handcrafted Sideshow Collectibles product. Outfitted in an incredibly detailed reproduction of a German Paratrooper uniform with detailed accessories and standing over 21 inches high, the Battle of Crete: German Paratrooper Premium Format Figure is an outstanding addition to any display and is a detailed exploration of both the ALLIED and AXIS Airborne and Paratrooper forces of World War II.

On the morning of May 20, 1941, World War II was well underway, threatening innumerable lives as Hitler's Third Reich invaded country after country. As Greek and Allied troops defended the isle of Crete, Nazi Germany launched a massive airborne paratrooper assault on the island. Unprepared for such an invasion, the Allied commanders lost control of their main airfield, and German troops flooded the island in an ongoing battle that would last for ten days, ultimately ending in the loss of Crete to German forces despite staggering losses in their own ranks.

In the end, the Battle of Crete would be marked a failure by both sides. The great number of casualties to the Germans was considered too great to risk another large-scale airborne attack, and the Allied forces would count the island among the fallen territories. Even so, the Allies' admiration for Germany's planning and execution of the airborne trooper invasion lead to significant advancements in their own paratrooper divisions. As World War II waged on, the lessons of Crete would resonate with both Germany and the Allied forces.