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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.
  • PIV5
  • PIV4
  • PIVcmd1
  • PIVcmd2
  • PIV3

About the Author

About Angela (Angela)
FROM: VISAYAS, PHILIPPINES

Hi. My name is Angela. I'm a vampire and I live in the Philippines. I've been into modeling for 10 years. Mostly, I model World War 2 vehicles and figures but my interst also extend to sci-fi models. Occassionally, I model modern aircraft and AFVs. My dad and brother are very supportive of my hobby ...


Comments

Thank you for the wonderful comments. I owe it all to you who, through the 8 months of construction on this piece of work, helped me in everything. As what I said, this dio is dedicated to all of you. Angela
JUN 01, 2005 - 06:31 PM
I know its late .but its a great diorama
NOV 29, 2005 - 10:59 PM
wow thats a perfect dio I just one in quick look : The Flak truck's links are little bit on air ! Paintings , weatherings , etc. are really impressive . Good job
NOV 30, 2005 - 12:11 AM
Its never to late to admire such a dio...Wonderful article and dio. Glad to hear you are keeping it.
NOV 30, 2005 - 12:20 AM
Hey, what a pleasant surprise! I didn't know that someone would still take a look at this dio. Thank you guys. Angela
NOV 30, 2005 - 05:49 AM
Impressive. Well done. I like the B/W photos. Adds some more realism to an already realistic dio. Congrats.
DEC 01, 2005 - 02:38 AM
It has been quite a while since I visited Armorama. And I didn't expect that there is still a person looking at this diorama. Thank you.
NOV 06, 2006 - 11:20 AM
great work angela, i like it a lot!!!! do you remember that we both got a quite the same idea on this ardennes dio? but my dio didnt make it to finish coz ive lost some of the important material for the dio during the process of moving back to my parents house. frm my apartment.. ive lost all 28 figures...and some other stuffs as well. all in one box. i also lost numbers of vehicles and unopened boxes of models. it was so dissapointing knowing that ur model is not in all the boxes u've packed. here the link to some of the last pictures of my lost battalion visit this link LINK or click on the link below
NOV 13, 2006 - 03:32 PM
Good Morning Angela, Great Diorama, I was wondering if it was possible for you to email me the PDF on painting German Figures. Mark
JAN 09, 2013 - 11:23 AM
Well , i remember Angela from my early years on Armorama, but this is a long time ago. This thread is very old to and you will probably not get an answer as Angela is not here any more
JAN 09, 2013 - 07:18 PM