2nd/4th Silesian Landwehr

As followers of this Blog will know, during the last year, this has developed from a solo performance to a team effort.  We maintain anonymity, but I'd like to thank DL for his contribution of the 2nd Battalion, 4th Silesian Landwehr.

The battalion is New Line, with a few casualty figures provided by LF and TM from Art Miniaturen.  The battalion is shown advancing from east to west along the line of the meadow astride the tributary of the Lasne Brook.

New Line figures are excellent for showing masses of troops moving in formation.  They are slightly back from the contact line, which will be filled by AD's many other Prussians currently waiting for Covid to allow movement from the Netherlands.  AD's figures are more action posed and will show the fight closer in to the Young Guard.  I really like the contrast between the chaos of the close fight and the orderly masses further back.  These are early shots and a lot more work is needed to bed the figures in.  There are about 500 figures on show.

The Lasne Brook still needs quite a bit of work to get right.

A lot more work needed to here to bed the stands in, especially on the road

We are beginning to turn our attention to the high road that runs east-west on the southern edge of the village.  This is in fact the single largest group of buildings in the village and, if Alfred North had a place in mind for his famous painting, it was probably along here and not the centre of the village.  Siborne's model (courtesy of the National Army Museum) shows the effect needed:

Here is the first group of buildings.  In a major innovation these are bing fitted with a battery for light, simulating fire and a smoke machine for a model stream train.  

There are about 20 buildings along this road so this is quite a job!

Eastern Approaches

I've been working on the eastern approaches to Plancenoit.  By kind permission of the National Army Museum, I'm using the next section of the Siborne model to plan this part of the battlefield.  This gives some space to deploy parts of the Prussian Army, but more room will be needed!  

Here are some pictures:

I'm using teddy bear fur here to simulate taller crops.  Siborne used towelling.

The Siborne model showing the meadow running from left to right, east to west.  A natural avenue of advance

The Siborne model showing the area just east of the meadow.  The track and Lasne Brook turn south towards the fishponds.

The fishponds are just off my new section

The Siborne model exaggerates the relief, making slopes look steeper than they really are.

This complex building from the Siborne model is shown below 

The track and surrounding terrain are at a preliminary stage.  The road looks like chocolate for now, but will get better!

On the Siborne model, a three-part building is shown with a small shed at right angles at its eastern end

The Siborne model looking north to south

The same building on our diorama looking south to north

And looking east to west

Looking carefully, there is a small cottage on the Siborne model on the slope above the meadow.

Here it is realised on our model

The overview, showing the field layout

And our rendition

Some Prussian infantry, Zvezda conversions

For those who like figures, just to reassure you that troops will soon populate this ground.

And some top-up photos, the light was good so I went for it: