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Gifts for WWII History Buffs: 15 Ideas They Won't Already Own
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items Shopping for someone who knows more about Normandy than the tour guides? This list gathers gifts for WWII and military history buffs that go beyond another general history book: a narrative trilogy, a beginner Spitfire model kit, a museum-store puzzl...
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Read
Some of my favourite publications on WW2, a perfect gift
Three volumes on the US Army from North Africa to the fall of Germany: An Army at Dawn, The Day of Battle, The Guns at Last Light. The first won the Pulitzer Prize. Suits a reader who wants narrative history rather than a reference book. Check they d...
The Liberation Trilogy Boxed Set: Army at Dawn, Day of Battle, Guns at Last Light
As someone who loves both history and maps, this large-format atlas tracing history through about 140 maps, from early human migration to the present. A strong pick when the buff's interest goes beyond WWII; less useful for someone who wants military...
History of the World Map by Map (DK)
The TV series is still iconic, i watch it more than i should. So this suits the buff who also loved the HBO series and wants the story behind it.
Band of Brothers, Stephen E. Ambrose
Build
Take them back to being a kid with these models, a very satisfying gift once it's completed, and perfect to work on as a family
1:72 plastic kit sold as a starter set with paints, brush and glue, so nothing else is needed. Good for a first-time builder or a nostalgic one. Confirm the set name includes "starter"; the bare kit has no paints.
Airfix Supermarine Spitfire MkVc Model Kit
The step up from the Airfix starter: a P-51D in markings for the Mustang "Petie 2nd", from a maker known for parts that fit cleanly. Suits someone who has already built a kit or two. Paints and glue are sold separately.
Tamiya North American P-51D Mustang Kit
The Lancaster that carried the bouncing bomb on 617 Squadron's 1943 raid on the Ruhr dams. A large skill-level-3 kit for a patient builder with a few free weekends. Check the listing for what paints are included before you wrap it.
Airfix Avro Lancaster B.III 'Dambusters' Kit
Play
Puzzle from the museum's own shop, so the purchase also supports the museum. Suits the puzzle-at-the-holidays household. Check in-app whether this store link earns commission; if not, keep it as a goodwill pick.
Women of WWII 1,000 Piece Puzzle
Global WWII strategy game for 2–5 players, 3–4 hours, on a 40 by 26 inch board. For a group that wants a long evening game. See the wargames list for lighter options.
Renegade Game Studios Axis & Allies 1942 2nd Ed
Buying for a history reader who also likes games? My list of historical wargames sorts them from one-hour starters to weekend epics.
Best Tabletop Historical Wargames to Gift a Military History Fan
Display
Reproduction of a period map of the D-Day coast, framed or unframed. Fits a study or office wall. Reminds me of the famous Minard map that all map makers have seen at some point!
D Day Invasion Map
A wood case that holds a folded flag alongside medals and patches. Made for the family keeping a veteran's flag and decorations together. Check the flag size first: a 5 by 9.5 foot burial flag needs a bigger case than a 3 by 5.
Flag And Medal Display Case
Ready-built 1:72 die-cast models of real aircraft and pilots, such as Douglas Bader's Battle of Britain Spitfire. Suits the buff who wants a plane on the desk without the build. The range includes modern jets too, so pick a WWII model.
Corgi Aviation Archive
Wear
Some nice items, there arent as many smokers as there were in WW2 but the lighter is still looks great and is useful
Stamped tags with a name, unit or date of a family member's service. Works best when the buff researches their own family's war history. Order by early December for Christmas delivery.
Military Dog Tags
Hamilton made watches for US forces in WWII, and the Khaki Field keeps that plain field-watch look. The higher-value pick here, for a milestone birthday or a retirement. It is hand-wound, so it needs winding every few days.
Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical 38mm Watch
A reissue of the 1941 Zippo design, the kind of lighter many GIs carried. Suits a pocket or a desk drawer as an everyday reminder of the era. It ships empty, so buy lighter fluid separately.
Zippo 1941: Replica Brushed Chrome