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Marsch zur Front - Belgien 1944

the story

This diorama depicts a movement to the front to the German lines in the Ardennes region during the Battle of the Bulge. A column of German Volksgrenadiers, led by a Panzer IV H tank, travels down a dirt road to the front lines. While doing so, they pass by a German machine gun emplacement where a reconnaissance briefing/planning is being held. The emplacement speaks of the German's dire supply situation, with only a few boxes of rations, medical supplies, ammunition and fuel barrels available.

To counter the threat of Allied aircraft, a German 7/2 anti-aircraft vehicle is called to service. But even in this predicament, German soldiers still manage to find time to relax and to enjoy life. Three soldiers are going over an interesting discussion over propaganda posters. Two of the men are having a smoke break, much to the annoyance of the Panzer IV tank commander, who is shouting at them. The machine gunners, however, don't mind the fracas, as they are busy preparing the scant amount of ammunition in the emplacement.

While the commander and the radio operator of the Sdkfz 223 reconnaissance armored car discuss a section map, the driver sits on top of the vehicle, looking at the propaganda poster discussion. Three of the 7/2's crew watched over the long line of troops on the dirt road, perhaps looking for friends, who they know, are fighting a losing war.

History:

This is my first diorama. I worked on this dio for around eight months. Technically, I wanted to depict "little scenes" which would somehow tell something about a bigger scene without confusing the viewers. My aim is to allow lines and visual suggestions to guide the eye around the little stories. It is also my aim to let the viewer feel the gloom of the German soldier's condition during this war.

Originally, the diorama would only have two vehicles, one of which is protected by sandbags. But it left half of the dio rather bare, thus the addition of the Panzer IV and the emplacement.

Stupid me, I wasn't able to take pictures of the diorama vehicles in construction (Blame it on my dad and on my bad photography skills). I'll make it up by discussing the construction progress in detail.

By the way, drying time for most of the "liquid" stuff here is around a day or two. I used oil paints for most of the dry brushing except for metal colors, in which I used enamel.