Set Description:
I think that I particularly like this set as it reminds of my father, who was career Navy and was stationed on Corregidor when WWII broke out. He was evacuated by the submarine Seadragon, SS 194. He was a radio operator and codebreaker whose skills were needed elsewhere. He served on many great warships during his career: USS Lexington CV2, USS Saratoga CV3, USS Ranger CV4, and The USS Yorktown CV5.
The Lexington was lost at Coral Sea and The Yorktown at Midway. After the war, Saratoga sank during the A Bomb tests at the Bikini Atoll. Ranger was sold for scrap.
This set features some great painted war covers. Also has art and covers by Sam Glanzman with one by Russ Heath. I’ve been picking these up here and there for years. The later issues are reprints of earlier copies and are somewhat easier to find in higher grades. Issues 2-7 and 19-22 are out there, but I’ve only seen them in lower grades. I recently watched a pair of reprinted issues sell on Heritage for around $500 each. They were CGC graded 9.8s
This is a very lightly collected set, many issues only have 2 copies graded. So it’s okay to laugh when I proudly proclaim that mine is the second highest graded.
Also, the OCD in me is struggling with the order of the #8s :-)
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| Slot: |
Combat 1 |
| Item: |
Combat 1 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
4257557002
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Owner Comments
F+ 6.5
2nd highest graded
During the battle of the Denmark strait, HMS Hood and HMS Prince of Wales (more...)F+ 6.5
2nd highest graded
During the battle of the Denmark strait, HMS Hood and HMS Prince of Wales engaged the German battleship Bismarck and the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen. The Hood was destroyed with heavy loss of life (only 3 crewmen survived) and the Prince of Wales was seriously damaged. The Prince of Wales scored several hits on Bismarck, causing enough damage for her to need to return to port for repairs. Outraged by the Hood’s destruction, Churchill made the sinking of the Bismarck a priority. Pursued by a large number of British ships, Bismarck was attacked by Swordfish torpedo bombers launched by the carrier HMS Ark Royal. One torpedo crippled Bismarck’s rudder, ending her ability to maneuver. Four British warships converged on Bismarck and fired 2800 shells at her, scoring 400 hits. However Bismarck would not sink and was eventually scuttled by the crew. Out of 2200 on board, only 114 survived.
In spite of her reputation as a mighty warship, the Bismarck was sent to the bottom on her first offensive mission.
The Prince of Wales was sunk on December 10, 1941, along with HMS Repulse, by land based Japanese dive bombers and torpedo planes while on a mission to Singapore. The Prinz Eugen survived the war and was surrendered to the British in May of 1945. She was then given to the US Navy as a war prize. (less...)
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| Slot: |
Combat 7 |
| Item: |
Combat 7 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
4527077002
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Owner Comments
VF- 7.5
The Battle of the Sunda Strait occurred on February 28 - March 1,1942. This battle was one (more...)VF- 7.5
The Battle of the Sunda Strait occurred on February 28 - March 1,1942. This battle was one of several engagements after the Battle of the Java Sea. The Battle of the Java Sea (February 27, 1942) involved a joint task force of American, Dutch and British warships suffering a defeat at the hands of the Japanese, who were bringing an invasion force to the island of Java. The Japanese forces outnumbered the Allies ships and sunk the HMS Electra and the Dutch destroyer HNLMS Kortenaer. HMS Exeter was severely damaged. That night, the Allied ships attempted an attack on the Japanese fleet, however the HMS Jupiter sank after striking a mine, alerting the Japanese. In the ensuing battle, the Japanese sunk the cruisers HNLMS Java and De Ruyter. The damaged Exeter and her destroyer escorts exited the battle but were later caught and all sunk by the Japanese at the second Battle of the Java Sea. The next day between the islands of Java and Sumatra, the battle of Sunda Strait occurred. Three surviving Allied ships, USS Houston, HMAS Perth and the HNLMS Evertsen were attacked again by the Japanese fleet. All three vessels were lost. Thousands of allied servicemen were killed and 675 were taken as POWs for the next 3 1/2 years. These defeats led to the scuttling of the Dutch Navy and the loss of the entire Dutch East Indies to the forces of Japan.
(less...)
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| Slot: |
Combat 8 (7-9/63) |
| Item: |
Combat 8 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
4296062003
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Owner Comments
VF/NM 9.0
2nd highest graded
The battle for Monte Cassino raged from January thru May 1944 and consisted (more...)VF/NM 9.0
2nd highest graded
The battle for Monte Cassino raged from January thru May 1944 and consisted of four battles leading to the breaking of the German line in Italy and the capture of Rome. The hard fought victory came at a steep price. While Axis casualties were around 20,000, the Allies lost nearly 55,000. The unfortunate loss of the centuries old abbey was caused by the mistaken belief that the Germans were using it as an observation post. The reality was that they were dug into the slopes in front. Although Italy had surrendered in September 1943, German forces occupying the country had not. German forces in Italy did not surrender until May 1945. (less...)
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| Slot: |
Combat 8 (4-6/63) |
| Item: |
Combat 8 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
4296062002
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Owner Comments
VF- 7.5
2nd highest graded
The New Guinea campaign lasted from January 1942 to the end of the war in (more...)VF- 7.5
2nd highest graded
The New Guinea campaign lasted from January 1942 to the end of the war in May 1945. It was jungle warfare fought mainly by Australian forces. The Allies successfully cut off Japanese troops from receiving medical and food supplies for much of the duration. Because of this, 97 percent of the more than 202,000 Japanese deaths were caused by disease and starvation. The Allies lost 42,000, including 7,000 Australians killed along with nearly 4,700 Americans. (less...)
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| Slot: |
Combat 10 |
| Item: |
Combat 10 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
4208023001
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Owner Comments
NM- 9.2
Called one of the most decisive naval battles in all of history, the U.S. engaged Japan’s (more...)NM- 9.2
Called one of the most decisive naval battles in all of history, the U.S. engaged Japan’s fleet off the island of Midway. After deciphering Japanese communications, the Americans set an ambush for Japan’s fleet. Three U.S. carriers surprised a larger fleet with 4 carriers. Enterprise, Hornet and Yorktown (the Japanese believed that she was sunk at Coral Sea), dealt a devastating blow from which the Empire’s navy never recovered. All 4 Japanese carriers were sunk and nearly 250 of their aircraft were lost. The Yorktown was severely damaged and while efforts to save her were underway, the submarine I-168 put two torpedoes into her and also sunk the USS Hammann, which was supplying power for the Yorktown’s repairs. The Hammann sank in minutes with most of its crew. Yorktown sank the following day. (less...)
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| Slot: |
Combat 11 |
| Item: |
Combat 11 Qualified |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
4208023002
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Owner Comments
NM- 9.2
Flawed but still highest graded
Operation Overlord (D-Day) involved more than 7000 ships and (more...)NM- 9.2
Flawed but still highest graded
Operation Overlord (D-Day) involved more than 7000 ships and 156,000 soldiers. At least 4,400 allied servicemen were killed. If you have watched Band of Brothers or Saving Private Ryan, you get how brutal the invasion was. Prior to the invasion the Allies utilized all manners of deception to throw off the Germans. Fake paratroopers, inflatable tanks and false information fed to double agents contributed to Allied success. (less...)
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| Slot: |
Combat 12 |
| Item: |
Combat 12 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
4208023003
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Owner Comments
NM- 9.2
Highest universal copy graded. There is a qualified 9.4.
Located in the Solomons Islands, Guadalcanal (more...)NM- 9.2
Highest universal copy graded. There is a qualified 9.4.
Located in the Solomons Islands, Guadalcanal was the first major ground offensive conducted by the Allied forces against the Japanese army. It lasted around 6 months from August 1942 until February 1943. Allied losses included 7000 killed and another 7000 wounded. 60,000 mostly American soldiers attacked a force of 36,000 Imperial Japanese soldiers. Nearly 20,000 Japanese soldiers perished while some 10,600 were evacuated. Others were captured. The Guadalcanal campaign also included several naval engagements. The Allies lost 29 ships while the Japanese lost 38. Both sides lost more than 600 aircraft each. (less...)
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| Slot: |
Combat 13 |
| Item: |
Combat 13 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
4208023004
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Owner Comments
NM 9.4
Highest graded
The Battle of The Hedgerows, July 7-19, 1944. A month after the D-Day invasion, (more...)NM 9.4
Highest graded
The Battle of The Hedgerows, July 7-19, 1944. A month after the D-Day invasion, St. Lo was determined to be a strategic crossroads, needed by the Allies to continue their advance. St. Lo had been under German occupation since June 1940. The Americans began the bombardment of St. Lo on July 6 and continued through July 7. Up to 95 % of the city was destroyed. The Americans dropped flyers warning the residents of the upcoming bombardment a day prior to the attack, however, it was reported that high winds blew many of the warnings away. The US suffered 11,000 casualties including 3,000 killed. (less...)
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| Slot: |
Combat 14 |
| Item: |
Combat 14 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
4208023005
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Owner Comments
NM+ 9.6
Highest graded
Part of the Gilbert Islands, the battle for Tarawa lasted November 20-23,1943. (more...)NM+ 9.6
Highest graded
Part of the Gilbert Islands, the battle for Tarawa lasted November 20-23,1943. The Allies landed 35,000 troops to combat almost 5000 Japanese soldiers and Korean workers. The Japanese were well prepared with tanks, artillery and naval guns. In the three days of fighting, Americans suffered more than 3,000 killed and wounded. The Japanese and Koreans fought to nearly the last man with only 146 surviving. (less...)
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| Slot: |
Combat 15 |
| Item: |
Combat 15 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
4257557003
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Owner Comments
NM 9.4
2nd highest graded
The battle for France began in May 1940 where 400,00 British and French forces (more...)NM 9.4
2nd highest graded
The battle for France began in May 1940 where 400,00 British and French forces engaged an 800,000 strong German force. After several engagements, the German army flanked the Allied forces and drove them to the French port of Dunkirk. With their backs against the sea, there was little hope against the Germans. However, the Germans stopped advancing for three days, fearing that the Allied armies might be able to break through. This allowed time for the Allies to arrange an evacuation plan. While 338,000 troops were evacuated, over 61,000 were killed, wounded or captured.
While a costly defeat, it could have been much worse. This occurred between May 26 - June 4 1940. (less...)
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| Slot: |
Combat 16 |
| Item: |
Combat 16 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
4208023007
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Owner Comments
VF/NM 9.0
2nd highest graded
The Japanese operation known as Ten-Go, was basically a suicide mission (more...)VF/NM 9.0
2nd highest graded
The Japanese operation known as Ten-Go, was basically a suicide mission trying desperately to interfere with the invasion of Okinawa and took place on April 7, 1945. The Yamato (Japan’s premiere and the world’s largest battleship) and eight other Imperial warships were involved. The Yamato and five other ships were sunk and around 100 aircraft, mostly Kamikaze were lost. More than 4000 Japanese died. This was the last major engagement by the Imperial Japanese Navy. (less...)
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| Slot: |
Combat 17 |
| Item: |
Combat 17 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
4208023008
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Owner Comments
NM+ 9.6
Russ Heath cover
2nd highest graded
July 10 - October 31 1940 This battle was the first air (more...)NM+ 9.6
Russ Heath cover
2nd highest graded
July 10 - October 31 1940 This battle was the first air only conflict and Hitler’s first defeat of World War II. The Luftwaffe engaged in the bombing of military and civilian targets in an effort to destroy the RAF and force the Brits to surrender. However, the Nazis underestimated the courage and resolve of British forces who in turn destroyed nearly two thousand German aircraft and killed/wounded/captured over 4,000 German airmen. During the campaign, some 55,000 British civilians were killed and wounded. (less...)
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| Slot: |
Combat 18 |
| Item: |
Combat 18 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
4208023009
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Owner Comments
NM+ 9.6
Highest graded
After the attack at Pear Harbor, the Empire of Japan invaded Wake Island. Around (more...)NM+ 9.6
Highest graded
After the attack at Pear Harbor, the Empire of Japan invaded Wake Island. Around 500 US military personnel, mostly marines, held out for two weeks while inflicting serious casualties on a vastly superior enemy force. American forces surrendered on December 23. The Japanese occupied the island for the duration of the war. The Japanese lost nearly 1000 men, 4 ships, 1 submarine and 31 aircraft taking the island. (less...)
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| Slot: |
Combat 20 |
| Item: |
Combat 20 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
4527077004
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Owner Comments
F/VF 7.0
Only a 7.0, but the highest graded. A good looking copy!
The Ardennes Offensive AKA the Battle (more...)F/VF 7.0
Only a 7.0, but the highest graded. A good looking copy!
The Ardennes Offensive AKA the Battle of the Bulge took place from December 16, 1944 thru January 16, 1945. The German forces were being slowly pushed back into Germany. Winter arrived and the front lines stabilized. Germany had a bold plan to push through part of the front line near the Ardennes Forest. The troops at that spot were thin and tired, probably with hopes of riding out the winter. The German plan was fairly simple-they would pierce the front line sending troops in three directions. North to encircle the first and ninth armies and south to surround the third and twelfth armies. The last group of Germans would head NW to capture the Belgian town of Antwerp, which was a supply hub for the Allies. The Allies were perhaps a bit overly confident. Reconnaissance by air was impossible because of bad weather and intelligence reports were sparse. The Germans amassed over 400,000 troops, 500+ tanks and thousands of other pieces of equipment. They achieved complete surprise but underestimated the resistance by Allied forces. Their hoped breakthrough in the line never happened, and only created a "bulge" in the line. This was Germany"s last major offensive of the war. (less...)
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| Slot: |
Combat 21 |
| Item: |
Combat 21 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
4412894003
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Owner Comments
VF 8.0
Second highest graded.
Unlike most of the stories in this series, this one I believe is fiction, (more...)VF 8.0
Second highest graded.
Unlike most of the stories in this series, this one I believe is fiction, although it likely depicts some events that may have occurred somewhere during the course of the war. Just not to this submarine. The real Sea Dog, SS401, was not commissioned until 1944 and this tale takes place in 1943 aboard the Seadog. (less...)
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