Late 1944 and a much reduced grenadier company from the Gross Deutschland Div Is tasked with defending a knoll in a very thin line of defenses as they retreat. A hasty position has been dug but is not far along before the Communists attack.
The dreaded command of “Final protective Fire” is given which means let all weapons fly in pre assigned sectors and do not worry about saving ammo because this is your last chance before being over run!
On an admin note this was a project I did because I wanted to show the narrowness of the standard WWII trench. I had seen so many very wide trenches done by modelers over the years .A Wide trench makes no tactical or ballistic sense.
The remnants of “my” company here consist of just one Lt, two MGs, one mortar and a few riflemen.
A few pics showing the improvements on a Dragon MG42 with heavy mount and crew. The crew was a bee-atch to get to fit.
Next I wanted to show a barrel swap on the light MG. Something required all the time. This time worked out for them right before the PFP was ordered because then no time for a barrel change!
As always with your projects Jerry it has an authenticity that grabs the attention and keeps you looking for details! The spent brass around the MG is a great touch, as are the various roots coming out of the trench walls. You have excelled with the various poses too-the way they are crouched, their equipment and the way they are spread out along the trench- just awesome.
Took some happy snaps of the mortar position and the commanders hole as well. He is calling for the artillery part of the final protective fire.
These are all modified Dragon figures with a few sporting Hornet heads.
The aiming stake for the mortar is dug in at the left front of its’ pit.
The remains of this company are however well equipped with anti tank measures.
The commander has his tools of the trade, IE, field phone ,map and compass, binos and flare pistol to signal to the units on his left and right. with pre-planned targets marked.
Jerry thanks for this very nicely composed scene. I do love seeing the dynamism of your figures. That, the expressions, the skin colour modulation, the fine details and the weathering all combine to create just excellent figures! I also really like the little’reality’ elements in the scene, like the aiming stick, the spent brass, the roots in the trench and the shells for the flare gun. If you did masterclasses, I’d be there! Thanks again for sharing this.
Give that man a (another) trophy, so many details. Tiny example those roots coming out of the trench walls – how many would think of doing that? I know I wouldn’t. Superb.
What a great diorama , the soil looks so realistic and such detail in the trench system .
It has been a real pleasure looking at the photos and to see how a professional develops an idea into such a brilliant piece of work and sharing this with us .
@Dan-hey thanks man. Yes,the GD Div as stated in my opening text. Yeah the new Tamiya MG is very nice but I didn’t have any. @BWILT-hey thanks mate! @Karl-thanks for the usual thoughtful comments my old buddy! @Strongarten-Thanks Dave for your lasting support over the years. @SamS-thank you kind sir for noticing all the details. It kinda makes it all worth it. @Diomartin-hey I’m rooting for you as well man! Heheheh @Bootneck- thanks buddy. Very kind words sir. @Oliver-Very nice of you buddy. Thanks @Cheyenne-thanks O master of the large building projects.
I will leave you all with an overhead shot of a typical late war position. A “drone shot” for you youngsters here.
