Does anyone have pics of British artilery positions/command posts in N Africa? Did they make bivouacs from camo nets? Deliberately positioned away from buildings and other possible landmarks? I'm planning adiorama with the Quad and 25pdr.

Suggestions welcome


Cheers


Andronicus

I have seen quite a few pictures and films from North Africa with British artillery positions. They all had camo nets spread out like a canopy over the gun position. The net was lifted off the ground high enough to clear the gun and crew.
Sorry, I do not have any pictures right now, but I am sure a google search or allthenet search would give you something.

Whether they stayed clear of buildings etc. I do not know. I do not think I have a birds eye view of the surroundings of any artllery positions.

Hope this helped a little bit.

Another IWM gem



Given time, the guns were dug in with a revetting wall in front of metal ammo boxes filled with sand. The cammo net looks like it is supported by a single pole.

Any or all of the above could be left out, depending on how long the gun has been emplaced and whether it is expected to move. Other shots in the IWM database show guns standing in the open.

David

Hi Guys,

Thanks for your suggestions. I did trawl the IWM before but like you say they tended to be out in the open which lacks interest for a diorama.

Camo nets on poles is a good idea--and a rivetting wall of boxes would be good too....I'll probably throw in a sandstone ruin for good measure!!

Cheers


Andronicus

you could also try the Australian War memorial site - www.awm.gov.au - unless you "insist" on it being a British position.

I recall seeing a few photos whe I searched "25 lbr - North Africa" which showed dug in guns and a few showed surroundings as well.

Ain't research fun.

Brian

You would try to avoid an obvious structure, like say the only building in an area, as it makes a perfect target for counter-battery fire, or air attack.

John

...that was my thinking- I wondered if it would make it too easy for the enemy to mark an artillery position....but I reckon I can get away with some ruins for the crew to bivvy in.

Cheers


Andronicus

Hi Brian,

Some great images here--thanks for the tip.

Andronicus

I've seen pics of CW heavy artillery dug in, and yes, camo nets were used.

Here are some pics of 25's in NA that you might find interesting...





Rudi

Cheers Rudi,

these are great!!!!!!

A