Project - 'D-Day spearhead'

[SteveKrieg]

G'day all,

Getting down to the final figures for this year's annual efforts and it was always the intention of having a final scene covering D-Day's end. By having a trio of German POWs with an MP of the 29th ID (patch will be applied once I receive it) standing guard. I wanted to cover the composition of the fortress troops which varied greatly - from the young to the old, the medically unfit for frontline service and, in many cases, foreign whilst dispelling the myths of the 352nd Infantry Division and its effect at Omaha (which is afterall the centrepiece narrative of the series). The MP is a reworked DML "Lou" (a 2003 release as a part of their 'Road to Victory' range) with a change-out in helmet, footwear/leggings, trousers and the addition of gas gear. The Germans conjured-up with a myriad of DML spares.

Enjoy, Steve

 

[SteveKrieg]

So, the only figures left to do as singles covering other aspects of the D-Day spearhead. I've left two 'til last as these require a little bit more kit-bashing - a British landing craft crewman given more than a quarter of the fifty first-wave landing craft destined for Omaha were British Landing Craft Assault (LCA) crewed by British naval ratings (mainly (RN and RNVR) so its only fitting to have one configured as a companion piece to the US LCVP crewman. Another WIP is a Canadian 3rd Division soldier (though now thinking of doing up a second as a Bren gun team) dressed in two unique items of gear that set them apart from their British brothers - namely a greener hue battledress and high boots with buckled anklets (which I finished today but won't show until full figure completion). After one attempt at dying a standard DML British battledress, I succeeded today by using a different dye and sticking exactly to the directions of the bottle resulting in the finish I desired.

Both the battledress and boots were worn by personnel of the Canadian 3rd Division (along with the "turtleshell" British Mk III helmet), these items usually referred to these days as "Invasion" wear. Given I've several figures covering the Brit beaches of "Gold" and "Sword", the Canadian will represent "Juno", the initial assault wave's encounter was not far off in terms of stout German defence, beach chaos and casualties running a close second to the events at "Omaha". Often side-lined by the Americans and the British, the Canadian contribution to Overlord and beyond is undervalued, geez, even the movie "The Longest Day" fails to mention them. Anyway, more on these figures later. I'm also looking to scratch-build a "Rupert" - one of those hessian sacked 3 foot-tall British paras that caused a bit of mayhem in the early hours prior to the seaborne landings, they were in-fact the first assault troops to go in despite being full of sand or hay rather than intestinal fortitude. A French resistance figure is also on the cards.

 

[SteveKrieg]

G'day all,

Hope all is going well with all SAGgers?.

Some pics of the final figures for this year's D-Day effort, the model show coming up next weekend, and centres on several that I left 'til last mainly because I did not quite know how to put them together as there was no pre-assembled figures to use as a base which therefore required some kit-bashing. Firstly a couple of Canadians from the 3rd Infantry Division assigned 'Juno' in the form of a No.1 and 2 Bren Gun team. My previous post refers to these in more detail and I'm happy with how they turned-out given the uniqueness of their uniform.

Second, given around a quarter of the initial assault boat teams that landed at Omaha were brought in by them, a British LCA crewman to go with the U.S. Navy LCVP crewman. The two `1:30th Scale models are from King & Country and this was a dilemma in itself as the British LCA is a more recent example of their range and has a sharper appearance when compared to K&C's first dabble 1998 into the American LCVP to its left. K&C did bring out a better-looking LCVP along with the Brit LCA in both U.S.N and RN livery however I could only get one in Brit livery. Whilst both recent types look great side by side I couldn't have both types in Brit livery so I've opted for the earlier K&C LCVP to illustrate the American livery.

Preceding the Airborne drops several hours earlier, the British dropped several hundred 85cm tall paratroopers "Ruperts" (A British Army slang for a dull, well-brought-up officer) some minutes before the actual Anglo-American airborne missions in order to deceive and draw away German troops from the actual drop/landing zones. Fitted with explosives and firecrackers, four major dropping areas were selected (under Operation 'Titanic'). Special Air Service teams of several members each were dropped with them in order to assist with the realism of combat on landing with sounds of men giving orders, screaming and such. Finally, a French resistance fighter, many of whom, aside from providing crucial intel to the Allies, were actively disrupting German capabilities in areas near the landing beaches.

And I do think that is it. All is primed save for the supporting information text which I'm drafting up now and I'll be sure to post photos of the whole set-up at the model show by early next week in order to close out my themed-thread for 2024. Enjoy, Steve

 

[SteveKrieg]

G'day all, hope everyone is doing just fine?.

Just a few pics to conclude another action-packed 1/6th Scale theme for me with the setting up of all this year's dioramas and vignettes into the befitting narrative on D-Day's initial assault troops. Lots of visitor interest coupled with questions (on D-Day and the figures themselves), intrigue and one or two "rivet counters" keen to argue for the sake of arguing on something they saw in 'Saving Ryan's privates'..."hey man, I didn't make the movie!. The main aim always is to impart knowledge in a 1/6th fashion with supporting text panels and if this brings out conversation or education then my job is surely done.

My mate Gary supplied the life-size full-equipped mannequin and torsos which has really given my displays an added 'punch' over the past three showings. 'Omaha' beach of course being centre-stage and main drawcard scene for the series with supporting scenes placed in sequence starting with the pop-culture reference of 'Saving Ryan's privates'. I also had another mate, Garth, support with the set-up.

 

[SteveKrieg]

Both the Saturday and Sunday of the annual ScaleACT event here in Canberra draws in all sorts of crowds due to the model themes and awards on offer, vendors, supporting acts from other smaller clubs or individuals (like myself) who all get together this one November weekend a year. The venue differed from my previous efforts and the area assigned was in someways larger than that at Kayleen high school where ScaleACT was held up until 2022. Next to 'Omaha' and the 'Saving Private Ryan tie-in was a quick duo covering the German side of Omaha beach focusing on how its defences changed considerably with the advent of Rommel's reinvigoration of the Atlantic Wall (particularly the areas he invested as Commander Army Group B which covered four of the five invasion beaches (along the Calvados).

 

[SteveKrieg]

The first assault troops were home-grown...the Resistance movement, an amalgam of groups - not really in concert with each in terms of reasons why but for the common cause nonetheless - and the humble carrier pigeon which, particularly in regional areas where operatives weren't too good with the technical requirements of wireless, some 2,000 made it back to Britain with key info regarding the coastal defences (once again playing on the lesser-known aspects). The tank crews of the D-Ds and waterproofed Shermans of the two tank battalions that played, despite the losses of the DDs bound for supporting the 1st Inf Div on the Eastern flank, a major role in support fires which despite the casualties sustained in the morning grew in verocity as the day ground-on.

Landing craft and their crews another aspect of the D-Day story often under-valued yet without their determination, and with the thought of coming back time and time again, it would be safe to argue that casualties would've been much heavier at Omaha.

 

[SteveKrieg]

Whilst the biggest scene of the initial assault at Omaha depicts one of the five assault boat teams from 'Able' Coy, 116th RCT, 29th Inf Div, on the western side of the beach, it only stands to reason that I at least mentioned 1st Inf Div's (Big Red One) 16th RCT which covered the east. One of the first breaches in-fact was made on the eastern side by 2nd LT John Spalding's boat team (E Coy, 16th RCT), it was the first of several - all away from the crucial draws which at the operational level were the key objectives for Omaha, and making the most of the middle bluff area where defences were lighter (save for mines) or on the extremities such as Capt Goranson's half C Company of Rangers nullified a flanking strongpoint. Actions such as these made, within two hours of landing, turned near disaster into success and follow-up waves (growing in such numbers that they seemingly overwhelmed the German defenders) were able to get into the villages and areas behind the strongpoints thus isolating and knocking-out in-turn. More to follow...

 

[SteveKrieg]

And to continue on....

Following-on fm the Rangers, a selection of other specialist support roles such as the combined Army combat engineers and USN NDCUs of the Special Engineer Task Force (SETF) that bore the brunt of casualties in those leading minutes of D-Day as they sought to clear obstacle lanes for the follow-on waves (the tide rising and thus covering obstacles that would cut-short any attempt by a landing craft to disgorge its payload successfully) and for the vehicle traffic to come. The USN Beach Battalions that ensured, despite the seeming chaos, the landings logistical success not only vital for D-Day itself but the weeks and months following for the build-up essential to 'Overlord' and the breakout phase. The Provisional Engineer Special Brigade battalions vital to clearing the beach exits of obstruction and the bluffs of Omaha of mines to provide swift egress of the follow-up waves.

One of the most unheard of that I had to include (which began landing shortly after the beach was secured so not exactly an 'assault troop' unit but thought worthy of mentioned nonetheless for education) was the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion (VLA) (Coloured), the first black unit to step ashore in France in what was then a segregated American Army, their role to put up balloons which were inflated in England then attached to ships to provide against low-level Luftwaffe strafing runs then brought ashore for the same purpose. A soldier from the 4th "Ivy" Division representing the 'Utah' landings before a couple of figures illustrated what was thought to be a crucial mission in knocking out several guns capable of interdiction atop Pointe Du Hoc. Despite no guns in-situ the 2nd Battalion Rangers gave a great account of themselves in holding on to the cliff area until relieved.

At the end of the table, a quick overview of the airborne vanguard consisting of "Rupert" dummy, British para and glider assaults on the eastern flank and Americans on the western flank (a visitor or two asking if I'd do a series on just the airborne ops of WW2...hmmm...surely within the scope of my collection and personally an interest both professionally and hobbiest but perhaps another year down the track?).

 

[SteveKrieg]

Following-on, still, a table telling of the other beaches - those of the Anglo-Canadians - "Sword', 'Juno' and 'Gold'. Just as vital to the plan as 'Omaha' and 'Utah' and just as vital to the completing this year's narrative. The final scene covers D-Day's end before a quick homage to the passing of the great Donald Sutherland. A final hint on next year's theme - The USMC during the Pacific War completes the table viewing and with that a chance now to pack-away all the figures used this year, rest and reset for a series of dioramas/vignettes on the US Marine Corps under Project "Devil-Dog". I've got all and sundry to put on the usual efforts with the only concern (as I'm sure we all have) of finding the required time.

A quick thanks to all who've posted comments regarding my D-Day series. Some have helped in terms of research, others in just providing me the smiles to keep on going but all most grateful in receiving. I wish all a Merry Christmas and a positive view going forward into 2025. It goes without saying that the world seems to be a tougher place to be living in, if only those who seek to make it so had a hobby, perhaps they wouldn't be so wayward in their thoughts. Cheers, Steve

 

[SteveKrieg]

Oh, before I go, some close-up pics of the main 'Omaha' scene depicting the intensity and chaos of an assault boat team of Able Company, 116th RCT, 29th Inf Div in those opening minutes of landing. I had several visitors tell me that the more they looked at it that the poses of the figures gave the scene a "momentum" which added to the intensity and chaos I was going for in illustrating.

 

[SteveKrieg]

And some more, the figures I utilised varied with the bulk being my 'got-to' DML (still a relative cheap and easy-to-come-by alternative for scenes requiring many figures), several DiDs for figures requiring more articulation in posing and a couple of the good-old BBI Elite Forces which are great for lowered neck and rifle-firing arm posturing.

 

[SteveKrieg]

One thing that I was looking forward to adding (which I did not do with the test set-ups) was add sand and water effect. I had a spray bottle which I went around spraying for such effects as well as ensuring the sand stayed in place in wear areas of the figures.

 

[Kapernakis]

WOW You definitely did not disappoint on this one.
That is a lot of work on the beach scene, just having to put on all of them leggings.

 

[Squidley]

This is absolutely spectacular! I think I counted about 30 figs in the beach scene! I can't say enough about how good your work is, and the breadth of the subjects you have covered. Fantastic.

Thank you so much for sharing!

 

[SteveKrieg]

THANKYOU most muchly for the kind comments. Yes, a lot of work for the beach scene (you were close 'Squidley', 31 figures to be exact as I included a medic - one per two boats with a detachment of 2-3 per Coy HQ on the initial waves in); however, it had it be done to as full effect as possible (less the gore, bullets and smoke) and I think it's one of the biggest scenes with the most figures I've done over the past 12 years or so (not counting the 2015 'Blitzkrieg' diorama which was basically a series of vignettes bunched into one huge table setting).

78 figures all told for the D-Day series largely because of the range of assault troops and it would've been more had I'd the time to complete a supporting German scene (the several for the bicycle troops and horse cart which I only half finished) but time just ran out. Looking at the rough list for my intent for next year's Project "Devil Dog" I'm already wondering how I'm going to find the time for all that I desire to show but I guess only time will tell. I'm already up to 40 Marines and around 8 Japanese. Thanks so kindly again, Steve

 

[47lincsled]

Now all you need is a 20X20 room so you can put it all together in one bog scene!

 

[The_Dutchman]

Absolutely briliant Steve! So many details to discover. Anyone else notice the spent cartridge ejecting from the BAR?

 

[SteveKrieg]

Haha, whilst I very much like the idea of occupying a 20X20 room to set-up the scenes, I'm pretty sure I'd be having another battle on my hands with the wifey but I do like where you're coming from '47lincsled'. As for details, cheers Dutchman, I'm sure alot of us on SAG can appreciate that the larger scale offers lots of opportunity for such. Glad you noticed the ejected casing fm the BAR (there are more in the sand though probably harder to see), there's also an empty en-bloc coming out of the top of the firing riflemen's M1 Garand. When packing up I ensure I grab as many empty cases as possible for reuse. No doubt I'll be using a lot for next year's USMC series. Thanks again, Steve

 

[47lincsled]

I'm spoiled when it come room to play,I have 2,000 square feet in 3 old trailers so when I see so much detail the first thing I think of is really big display!

 

[SteveKrieg]

Wow (47lincsled), that is indeed a lot of space for permanent display, unfortunately I'm somewhat limited to 3/4 of a garage in which to store figures, vehicles and such from previous displays and to produce the next one. I'm actually at the point of thinking about selling off some of my old stuff after next year's efforts but that'll take some thinking, sorting and thinking some more. Cheers, Steve