Hello Allan,

I have read this topic from the very beginning until now and I must say that you have made a very beautiful diorama. Personally I would provide the young officer with lines and a star on the sleeves of his jacket , to make him look like a second lieutenant for example.

Well done indeed !
Kurt

Its really looking the part now Alan. Great job.

Hi, Jerry Kurt and Frank,

Thanks for looking in and the thoughts and comments guys.

Kurt, yes the missing piping on the officers cuffs is something I need to think about.

Much appreciated.

Al

Love the way this is shaping up Al. Something to look at in every corner! I wouldn't worry too much about the officers cuff insignia as I have a feeling that in 1916 (could be wrong on the year but fairly sure) officers ceased to wear cuff rank and moved it to their epaulettes to make them less of a target for snipers. I'd check on the dates. There's a photo I've seen of a captain on the Somme carrying a Lee Enfield for the same reason as everyone likes to shoot at officers . Got to say this is one of the most interesting dioramas I've seen for years and it's normal daily routine!

Hi Karl,

Many thanks for the kind comments. I've improvised on the cuff rank by using LCPL chevrons cut and shaped into the pattern. I tried painting them on but couldn't get the detail thin enough. Not perfect but look fairly good I think.

I'll post up a pic when I get some daylight.

Glad you're enjoying the build.

Cheers

Al

The argument that you have made is quite possible , but i think that the mud and dirt in the trences caused difficulties to distinguish the ranks of the officers , because the piping on the cuffs were unrecognizable , at least very hard to see.

@ Alan ,

i'm curious about the painting on the officers cuffs

Greetings Kurt

Hi Alan,
Getting better everytime!
Thanks for all the pictures you send us.
Hopefully, you will show us an 'overall battlefield view' soon.
Though you may have collected quite some pictures of this theme yourself, I hope you allow me a source which is less know: the book "Der Erste Weltkrieg" by Militärverlag der Deutschen Demokratischen Republik, written by Klaus Dorst and Wolfgang Wünsche. ISBN 3-327-00730-6. Though focused, due to the political background, on the massive battles in the east, the western front 'Minenwerfer' and mortars are well represented.
What attracted my attention is the fact that, on all photos, all people show some form of being integrated into the environment due to the mud and dust that got on their clothing and items.

You show us a magnificent view on, what must have been, a terrible life of honorable men, on both sides. Is it possible for you to make a picture at model soldier's eye level from your trenches? Would be great.

Looking forward to see more,

Paul

Hi Kurt,

It will be Thursday before I see daylight again, short winter days and work, but I'll post up a pic of the cuffs.

Hi Karl

I don't know when the change over would have occurred most probably late 1916 or early 1917.

Hi Paul,

There are 4 more elements I'm working towards, the Gas alert post, the OP, the main trench and the tunnel. The first 3 are getting there but I have a lot of work to do to make the view of the tunnel more appropriate.

The main missing elements of personal kit are more respirators and some discarded webbing. I don't think I can make sets of the web equipment easily as I have no suitable pouches but I should be able to fashion some of the leather kit all being well. The respirators won't be too much of a problem but it all takes time lol.

I also need to divert some time to the 3rd wagon for the Draisine as the missing parts arrived and I don't want to loose stuff that's been sitting on the bench for a few weeks.

I'll keep you posted with developments as they happen.

Thanks for the thoughts and feedback folks, appreciated.

Cheers

Al

Hi folks,

I got some of the Juwella sandbags to finish off the OP and the top of the Sap, it will be interesting to see how they work out. Some updates Thursday or Friday.

Cheers

Al

Hi folks,

Improvised on the officers cuff detail with some chevrons and a little paint.







Al

Nice touch. I also appreciate the lanyards!
J

Thanks J.

Al

Very nice , very very nice indeed !

You see, with the piping on the cuffs, no doubt that these are officers , excellent painting Alan!

greets Kurt

Hi Kurt,

Glad you approve.

Al

Some alternative views, with a couple of additional figures finding there home.













Al

Very nice!! Where's all the Rat's??

Hi David,

Thanks for looking in, the rats are starting to appear if you look.

Cheers

Al

Not so much sun!




























Al

Just keeps getting better and more interesting all the time, Alan!

Did you use the Juweela sandbags on your OP? What ever you used, they look very nice.

Hi Mike,

Thanks. Yes, I used the Juwella bags, it says stick them with wood or super glue but I used PVA and let them dry, then painted them. They are a handy product, I'll be able to use some in the tunnel as that's how they extracted the earth I believe.

Cheers

Al

Hey Alan, begining of the month, keep your eyes open for a small present coming your way. Have some interesting small flowers for your dio. I'd put weeds on the custom form but you know what would happen then.lol bob d.

Hi Bob,

Lol, many thanks, I'll keep an eye out. Appreciated.

Al

Hi Folks,

A bit of work on the tunnel. I decided to add some boarding to the structure. I was thinking of making a couple of guys in shorts (25pdr gun crew) as workers. I also though I might shorten the structure by filling in the front end a bit and cover the exterior planking with 'soil'

My original workers found homes else where leaving just one chap with a spade.

Any thoughts?

Al

Hey Alan, he looks O.K. as is. Maybe cleaning up tumbled down dirt after a bombardment, or just working to shore up that area.