I am currently researching my next big project. Without going into detail, the scene requires three scratchbuilt forced labour figures. They will be doing expert work i.e. electronics or engineering work, and are critical to the scenes accuracy.

The question is this: I have seen much debate for and against the use of such figures, what are your opinions on this?

My own view is that history is already fact, and to shy away from it, however unpleasant it might be, does not do it justice.

What do you think?

Brian

Controversial subjects can be handled effectively with good taste and tack.

Brian,

An interesting question indeed, It is a sensitive subject and the without a doubt the Nazi war machine was maintained by slave labourers to such a degree that the whole economy of the country would have designated without them. (Ironic really considering the Nazi policy of wanting a Reich for ethnic Germans and Cleared of other "races") At the Nuremburg trial Albert Speer (armaments minister 1943-1945) use a as part of his defence his desire to keep trained and educated Germans in Germany to work in the war effort rather than deport them to concentration camps. It possibly contributed to saving his life, although subsequent historians uncovered evidence that Speer knew more that he let on at his trial and should have possibly shared the fate of the other 12 defendants.

There was forced labour brought in to Germany from all over occupied Europe which opens a debate about levels of collaboration, In essence one could depict forced labours working in German industry doing technical jobs, the are many stories of sabotage, and such a diorama I am sure would honour the memories of those poor souls who through whatever circumstances found them selves under the yoke of Nazi tyranny.

Jerry

Hi Brian,

I agree with both you and Dave. You can't hid from history, to do so would be an injustice.

Al

Yep, ditto all the above.

Although some would argue that our hobby shouldn't be taken too seriously, I personally feel that if you're going to build a diorama representing what happends during war time, whether its a football match, a cup of tea or indeed forced labour, then its the least we can do to make it accurate (as accurate as possible).

Good luck with dio, please keep us posted.

Cheers

Matt