COBI Paratrooper 101st Airborne Figure Keyring Set 1359

A COBI minifigure of a US paratrooper of the 101st Airborne Division, in printed combat gear and helmet, fixed to a matching brick and fitted with a metal chain and keyring. The connection points are glued so it survives daily use.

Nuts

The 101st is remembered for one word.

In December 1944 the division was surrounded at Bastogne during the Ardennes offensive, outnumbered, short of ammunition and medical supplies, and in weather that grounded any hope of air support. On 22 December a German party came forward under a white flag with a written demand for surrender, pointing out — accurately — that the position was hopeless.

The acting commander, Brigadier General Anthony McAuliffe, read it and said "Nuts." His staff thought that was as good an answer as any and sent it back as the official reply. The German officers had to have it explained to them.

The weather cleared on 23 December, supplies were dropped, and the siege was broken on the 26th.

The division's shoulder patch is a screaming eagle, and its members have been called that ever since.

In the COBI range

One of a series of sixteen figure keyrings from the Historical Collection, each a different subject. Set 1373 is the retail display holding the full assortment.

Specifications

Contents: one minifigure on a brick with metal chain and keyring · Glued connection points · Printed detail