From various sources I've seen of Normandy ww2 trenches, a horizontal weaved willow pattern seems to have been used as a wall brace, does anybody have any images of original trenches using willow braces and can anybody help me in ways to construct this in 1/35 scale for a diorama in planning?

I can't help you with a picture, but try using bamboo skewers... the type meant for kabobs. You should be able to find them in any grocery store. Make a weave out of them, and then weather them.

I have no idea how you could go about making the weaved willow pattern, but I found this pic of German trenches at Normandy and thought that this may be easier.
Just a thought.

Try picking Really thin sticks / twigs from a tree, Dont pick them up off the ground as they are often to brittle to bend. Make the wall retainers yourself weaving them as in the picture in small sections.

As for reference material watch 'Band of Brothers', Volume 1, Part 2 - "Day of Days".
Theres quite a few good scences as they take an artillery enplacment...............
Failing that - Books.........

Yeah, one of the references I got originally was Band of Brothers. Brecourt Manor I believe. And I think I remember seeing some in Saving Private Ryan maybe? Thanks for the suggestions, not found anything in any books so far, but I'll keep looking.

I think I would form up my trench out of stryofoam and cover it with what ever you are going to use for your ground cover and smooth the front face out. Let it dry. Cut dried flower stems that are the correct scale diameter into various lenghts and glue them horizontally along the face of the trench. You would not have to be really neat here. Glue the vertical support posts on the front face over your flower stems and paint away.
That's how I would try it...
HTH,
Shaun

ive been to normandy a couple of times, and most of the trenches are concrete lined.

particularly the ones anywhere near urban areas or emplaced positions(coastal guns etc)

otherwise they were made of anything from sandbags to floorboards

cheers

joe

I was in the craft store today and saw some large decorative brooms. If you cut them apart you should have plenty of material for the "willow" wall. You might even be able to get away with a regular corn broom.

This is an unusual form of reference, but the PC game Call of Duty is excellent for what you are after, and many more ww2 subjects, an example the first missions see you landing in normandy on d-day as part of the 101st, you then take part in the destruction of the artillery sites seen in band of brothers, at brecourt i think it was called, anyway that is when yous ee all these trenches, the weave pattern you want, cheers hope it helps!