6, March, 1943 , After striking back at the Battle of Kasserine for his eventual defeat at El Alemein, Rommel , somewhat but not nearly well enough re-equiped, is backed against The Mareth Line and prepares to face the enevitable offensive by the British 8th Army. He has hastily tried to re-enforce old hillside fortfications leftover from the First World War with new firing positions in a last ditch attempt to save North Africa for the Axis. 8th Army marching toward Tripoli , Jan, 1943 ~~~Long wanting to model The British in Tunisia, I have been preparing my next Diorama ( my first in the desert! ) by amassing the kits to meet what I’‘ve had in mind, and researching as much as I can, a violent action-filled era of the campaign that did not allow much time for photos, though accounts support for the most part what I will attempt to assemble. The basic idea… is a direct infantry attack on a German fieldgun position, quickly dug into the terrain, ringed by a few transport vehicles, parked nearby at the ready. The gun I have chosen is the Dragon 7.5cmPAK40, a new item for the time, although in production for well over a year, not many we’‘re sent to N. Africa, I did find a shot of one in such a hastily dug defense somewhere in Tunisia. I had seriously considered using a "88"Flak 36 -37, as these are much more commonly seen, but decided against it for just that reason, although they are huge and make a striking impact (pun intended), I think I’'ve just seen them too often modelled recently ( although next time I may not be able to resist the lure of the “88” ! ) Here is a shot of such a 75mm Pak 40 being unloaded into a Tunisian Harbour.
~~The layout is worked out , although I don’t wish to spoil things with scribbly sketches, all will be revealed. The scene will include some parked gear, namely A DAK version of the Tamiya Opel Blitz with P.E. from Looks fun to me. Also from Tamiya, The desertized Kubel This one with Photo Etch & Resin additions from Verlinden Also at least one of these (unresistable) For the desert… At this point in the campaign, these vehicles are canidates for some serious chipping & distress. I didn’t want to confuse the composition with any vehicle that might represent a threat of fire to the attacking Brits, who are charging in on the flank with a suprise attack, and although are beginning to be met in a melee, have not yet been noticed by the entire gun crew.
~~Some of the figures I’ve built(some primered, but painting has not begun) will help begin to form the scene. FIRST>>>THE ALLIES A few I’ve had in mind for a long time, such as… This primer is a high-quality automotive primer I use at work Sometimes there’sa little “x-tra” left in the gun… I don’t like it to go to waste.
These 2 I found to be fantastic figures by great suprise, as I found the box art (lacking) To put it mildly. I took a chance buying them, and slowly built them after a year in the stash, as they we’re quite difficult to to align both arms/torso/weapon with both hands moulded on. There was NO lining it all up, no keying to assist positioning and alot of filler used in one spot, BUT, after it was done and primered, BAM = Awsome, although, they are quite overscale in comparison with anyone elses idea of 1/35 scale(though not quite 1/32) this can be seen in the boots especially, but they are so well sculpted I can’t reduce them! { Anyone have some good pictures of the hobnails for commonwealth bootsoles?} I’ve made some use of these fellows, namely the one with bayonnet mounted Lee I’m not sure if I’ll keep the emotionless ‘stock’ head, but the pose is a must The other figure from this box is a combo of the kneeling Tommy-gunner with the lower end of the other upright figure, and a head from Warrriors(British heads,WWII)(loose for paint) Another pose I’Ve long had in mind, but is it me, or all these Dragon figures seem a little on the stocky but small side? Seems llike they work with a bunch of tweeking, but other makers do better at balancing out the proportions,
Although intended for a bit later campaign, about 2 of these should work well too, I just recieved this kit from Ken Jones and although it was marked “review sample only”, it was just to make amends for some problems I had regarding my subscription to Military Modelling.( Ken was just fantastic to correspond with, and really got to the bottom of things! ) I needed this pose for sure Hornet head + Warriors steel pot(covered) With some Tamiya TS-3 Darkl Yellow as basecoat / primer A success I’d say. This one I don’t know about : Here’s where "small’ comes to play(find another head? The Warriors one’s too big, eh?) That’s it for the Good Guys so far. Maybe 1 or 2 more to be added…
These two man the gun [](http://www.militarymodelling.com/sites/1/images/member_albums/41116/artcrewwarriors.jpg)More from Warriors [](http://www.militarymodelling.com/sites/1/images/member_albums/41116/warriorsguncrew.jpg)The faces are VERY emotional, wait til these get paint! [](http://www.militarymodelling.com/sites/1/images/member_albums/41116/coversears2.jpg)[](http://www.militarymodelling.com/sites/1/images/member_albums/41116/coversears.jpg)At least these guys have right uniforms!(even if shorts we're outlawed for German Army by this point by command) But it's hot Herr Gimme-A-Break ! [](http://www.militarymodelling.com/sites/1/images/member_albums/41116/callshots.jpg)This soldier is from Platoon(Pegasso) sculpted by Andrea Jula [](http://www.militarymodelling.com/sites/1/images/member_albums/41116/dak1.jpg)Another design with 4 peices to glue at once, with hands moulded to weapon, but this one was EASY! because the mouldmaker had keyed all the parts to only fit one way with little wiggle and it was a piece of cake(er struddle?) [](http://www.militarymodelling.com/sites/1/images/member_albums/41116/dak1.jpg)[](http://www.militarymodelling.com/sites/1/images/member_albums/41116/dak2.jpg)[](http://www.militarymodelling.com/sites/1/images/member_albums/41116/dak3.jpg)Intended for N.Africa This figure was the first on I built for this Dio . Alpine [](http://www.militarymodelling.com/sites/1/images/member_albums/41116/aalpine.jpg)In the meantime I've seen it (over)used, again & again as it's awsomeness has not gone un-noticed. I had intended to have him commanding the crew, scanning the distance, unaware or the incoming attack of foot-soldiers behind him. He scales well with the DML figures, and should look good near the feild-piece, although his uniform is more early tropical than late- Tunisia(and just a little too "in-order" for the desperation of the scene, but I think I can work with it. ~ I have two more DML figures I'm building currently that are close-in on the 75mm, sitting & kneeling respectivly in the familiar way to operate / load the piece.These are being configured still....more on them later. __*~~~Very interested to hear any thoughts you guys had about the venue, figures, or whatever occured to you ! Thanks for your interest............................more to follow!*__
~ Indy
Cool idea and looking good so far…the fact that the Brits are sneaking up from behind on the rearguard element makes it plausible for so much to be on one base, as rear guards defenses were usually lacking in secuurity and depth and could be flanked easily. If I might be so bold, the name of the WIP doesn’t ring of what is going on…how about: “Rearguard Surprise!” or “Rearguard from the Rear”? I feel the rearguard element should be in the title somehow…
~ Manny thanks for taking an interest & running the ideas through your well-developed Dio-Making-Braincase. Yeah the whole idea seemed seemed plausable to me, and really came from my studies on the North African Campaign towards it’s end in '43. That and and building that Alpine figure some time back ( my 1st Alpine) The scene really built itself in my imagination around him, and though I’ve seen him as a standalone figure, I haven’t seen him in a Dio like this as just 1 of a dozen or more.
~As for the title ~
Interesting thoughts ~ How about Fortune Favors Flanker’s Frenzy say that 5 times fast
Seriously though, the sub-title (WIP) is "Lets Kill That New Gun , Lads ! " = The order of the day/moment
That just does’nt make any sense to me yet(without seeing the action) and the title that has often been in my mind has been ~ ! Clash in Tunisia !~ Which is nice and generic I guess, at least for now.
Some good brainstorming going on here…I am gonna keep that bug in your ear about incorporating “rearguard” into your title though…I think that w/o it the viewer will have to figure out foir themselves what the Germans’ situation is…and frankly, most will never know that it is a rearguard action unless they are told in some way…and to me, the fact that it is a rearguard action is saliant to the story… [tup][tup] …
The only problem I have with the title “Clash in Tunisia” is that there isn’t a “clash” actually happening in the diorama. There is an impending clash, yes, but not an active clash. The Tommies are lloking good, though, as do the Jerries.
!!~~Haaha Manny ! Thats fine . You seen very adamant about the point (taurus?) I’m not sure you realize that to the ‘layman’ veiwer, reargaurd refers to those situated far behind the front lines. I know (as you do ) that the reargaurd you are meaning is that detachment used to hold off attack during a fighting withdrawl ( about what’s happing in my un-built Dio ) BUT that in military language, rear guard troops have always been the troops tasked to protect the important positions behind the front lines (if used in the defensive role) or to clear pockets of enemy resistance (if used in the offensive role). What you are really looking for is something like Rommel’s Rear Guard’s Rear Flank Rupture [:D] But I’m not in this to make these guys out as Butt-Pirates, so nah.[swg]
~Subfixin guy ~ Thanks but there is a clash, that is just taking place. Without a diagram it’s hard for you to see it yet(hasty photo)
I intend to model the moment of impact of the attack, where the “fodder hits the fan”, so to say. Although most of the guncrew(maybe all, don’t know yet) haven’t noticed the attackers yet, they ARE being met in the “motorpool” area by a few (1-3) more alert(but suprised) Jer’s.
Oh boy! I am going to have fun following your build for sure. I have to ask you this… how big the diomara will be with all of the stuff you listed? Good luck with your build!!!
~Many thanks Andy ~ The (estimated) working size is aprox. 11 x 15. Should be about right for what I have in mind, although I will build up all the models and test the spacing before I decide for certain.
~Today, I’ve built the fieldgun, and am adding just a few small improvements It’s a great likeness right OOTB (even if some builders quibbled a few very minor inaccuracies) I’m just going to do a little work to some obvious areas mostly involving the gunshield. ~That’s it for now ~
I’ve been looking at the Dragon Pak 40 kit for a while now having built the old Tamiya one a couple of years ago, it looks a nice little kit from the picture.
My fieldpiece is built,and I added just a few modifications, namely, empty strap for the shovel, as I thought it would be in use Added a few bullet dings to the shield while I was there. Most pix of the Pak40 show shovel missing*mine wil be nearby in the dirt) ~ See for example on the pak40 Robin Buckland recently photo’ed And on another one I really fancy that Camo! It may have some infuence on my paintjob(perhaps a gun being sent to Italy was re-directed to theatre?)Sounds like a likely story to me…eh?
The kit of course has one the typical shovels with moulded-on clasps, so I filled the mounting holes with styrene rod, and cut & bent some new parts from Photo-Etch scrap.
Also, I added in these spacers between the shields(most striking omition to the kit, to me) See here Just some tiny bits of styrene rod Question : Can anyone identify this piece of gear for me : Almost forgot, filled these injector dings (hadn’t seen this pointed out before, and not likely to be seen after placement, but to play it safe… I also added a screw to fix the gun to the carriage, not just for removal for painting, but so I can adjust the gun’s aiming point at final placement Not many injector pings,and NO flash or parting lines in the kit, just lots of pour ‘nodes’ to removed (maybe 300 of them !) Nice to build a kit without parting lines !!!
~Bill } Plese stick around. Just gettin started, more up very soon. I was just reading this account of the events surrounding my build , on http://www.worldwar2database.com/
Again the Americans paused. Rommel made it to his fortifications, a twenty-two-mile line built by the French against an Italian invasion of Tunisia
. He reached the Mareth Line on February 25. The next day Montgomery's Eighth Army attacked, and in a series of probing battles weakened the Axis forces. Coming into conflict with the split Axis command, Rommel clashed with General von Arnim over tactics and logistics. Rommel had lost the one battle he was never allowed to direct. Allied forces on Malta had cut his supply lines, and he was running out of food, ammunition and fuel.
Rommel's Final Departure from "AFRIKA", February of 1943
On March 20, The Allies broke the Mareth line and linked on April 8, 1943
in production for well over a year, not many we’‘re sent to N. Africa, I did find a shot of one in such a hastily dug defense somewhere in Tunisia. 
I had seriously considered using a "88"Flak 36 -37, as these are much more commonly seen, but decided against it for just that reason, although they are huge and make a striking impact (pun intended), I think I’'ve just seen them too often modelled recently ( although next time I may not be able to resist the lure of the “88” ! ) Here is a shot 
of such a 75mm Pak 40 being unloaded into a Tunisian Harbour.
A DAK version of the Tamiya Opel Blitz with P.E. from 
Looks fun to me. Also from Tamiya, The desertized Kubel 
This one with Photo Etch & Resin additions from Verlinden 
Also at least one of these (unresistable) 
For the desert… At this point in the campaign, these vehicles are canidates for some serious chipping & distress. I didn’t want to confuse the composition with any vehicle that might represent a threat of fire to the attacking Brits, who are charging in on the flank with a suprise attack, and although are beginning to be met in a melee, have not yet been noticed by the entire gun crew.
I intend to model the moment of impact of the attack, where the “fodder hits the fan”, so to say. Although most of the guncrew(maybe all, don’t know yet) haven’t noticed the attackers yet, they ARE being met in the “motorpool” area by a few (1-3) more alert(but suprised) Jer’s.
.jpg)