The modelling is quite impressive. I am wowed by this level of skill.
I hope my discussion of what I find in the diorama, and the questions that occur to me as I contemplate it, is not interpreted as detracting from my admiration of the work that is presented. Rather, with modelling of this skill level, I want to study and understand the story that is being told in the modelling.
But it brings to mind a question that has been in my mind for some time now (as I am working to expand my wargaming terrain pieces).
Please observer the sandbags in the pic:
Perhaps those who have "been there / done that" might chime in -- if I dig myself down, and reinforced my dirt wall, why would I want to place sandbags along my rim that I will have to fire over?
It seems to me that the sandbags will only:
a) Make my position more visible ("Hmm. A small cluster of sandbags near that berm. Well I'm sure there's no reason to worry about that, right?")
b) Reduces my protection. 5 or 10 yards of earth provides pretty good protection. So I would prefer to be down at and below ground level where any projectile (other than a mortar or hand-grenade) will be on such a low angle that it has to travel through a lot of dirt to get to me. If I put myself behind 18 inches of sandbag, I just make myself more vulnerable. And … depending on what is fired at me, those sandbags themselves can become projectiles. Sure they're better protection than just my uniform, so if I'm above ground, I like 'em a lot. But if I can be below ground, why do I want them?
I might be able to see it if there were gaps between sandbags. Like the crenelations in fort and castle parapets, leaving me a gap to fire through gives some added protection to my flanks as I reach over the top of my entrenchment. But sandbags that I will have to fire over?
Is this just something wargamers and modellers have taken to placing around their entrenchments to look all trenchy? Or is there sound tactical reasoning behind putting sandbags in place that you/I would have to fire over?
Inquiring minds want to know …
-Mark
(aka: Mk 1)
opens the box on the Armoured Panzergrenadier Company HQ (Late-War) for Flames of War.
