Final Flight of the Storch

Regular readers to this most humble of weblogs might remember the Storch diversion?  'The Flight of the Storch' detailed the creative genius of James in designing and building a 1/56 scale Fieseler Storch in response to my whim of having something littering the lower paddock of the castle.  James, always true to his side of a bargain, successfully completed the design and built several prototypes, but then project was rather buried, with boards and miniatures taking priority.  It was never truly forgotten, however, and I am delighted to finally present its realisation for your delectation. 

The concept, whilst fanciful and indulgent, centred around a crashed German plane, possibly looking to escape from the advancing Allied forces, overloaded with Nazi gold.  I should stress that this was a complete fabrication and that there is no evidence, whatsoever, that a certain Austrian Schloss holds the secret to the last resting place of the Ark of the Covenant!  Utilising a particularly arduous Head of Departments meeting the final design was sketched out and construction began in earnest.   

The project took a massive leap forward when James, very kindly, donated one of the prototypes that he had been working on.  The fuselage was already complete and so it really was just a matter of 'crashing' it into a base of Sculptamold.  Cocktail sticks, plastic rod and scraps of blue foam were all employed to good effect and I left a tea light shaped space so that a re-worked blast marker could be incorporated for good measure.

The final flourish, so to speak, were the disgorged looted treasures.  A quick rummage of the bits box unearthed some suitable packing creates along with the Ark itself, a 'Crooked Dice' Maguffin.  I used some coffee stirrers to represent the splintered remains of the treasured relic's box and then it was on to the painting.

A relatively straightforward paint job in the end and although a little small I used some of the transfers that had been left over from the vehicle kits that we had built, there were even some German Afrika Korps logos to emblazon the scattered cargo, a nod to the adventures of a certain Dr. Jones perhaps?

So pleased to finish this and can't thank James enough for his contributions to make it happen.  This is another one of those elements that I am really looking forward to seeing on the completed boards when we finally get a chance to have everything assembled and in one place. 

A final atmospheric shot of the Storch still burning at night, showing the fibre optic elements of the blast markers, thank you again Dave Docherty for the inspirational idea! 

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Castle Defenders

Taking a wholly pragmatic approach to the current restrictions, I have established a routine that helps manage the days of isolation.  This is greatly helped by the working timetable imposed by the school and the interaction with my pupils, but because there is no commute or boarding duties in the evening, I have managed to build in a modicum of hobby time.  Just an hour a day has seen a number of flights of fancy brought to a conclusion, but with this post I am delighted to report that I have finally completed the miniatures required to represent the castle defenders.

These amazing sculpts are, again, from 'Empress Miniatures' and have been goading me into painting them for some time now.  I seem to struggle when it comes to painting units of troops, in this case my lack of knowledge of the period and the masses of detail, not to mention the prospect of yet more camouflage had conspired to relegate these to the bottom of the 'to do' list.

Having completed the character set, as seen in the 'Cross of Iron' post,  I had a smidge more confidence to revisit these and armed with yet another outstanding painting guide from Nick of 'Moiterei's Bunte Welt' fame, this time detailing the intricacies of the splinter pattern camouflage, I endeavoured to move them forward.

I was feeling rather pleased with myself when they were complete, but having taken the photographs and seen them a little closer, as it were, I see that they look a little rushed in places and my ever  failing eyesight is definitely missing one or two details.  That said they seem to do the job from arm's length and look rather splendid when seen as a complete unit.

When checking the numbers for the game, I noticed that I was a couple of G.I.s short and so quickly remedied that oversight with a 'Warlord Games' plastic (left) and an 'Artizan Designs' metal (right) miniature as seen below, finally completing the roster for the game.  

Completing these has definitely given me a bit of a boost and have been beavering away with the SS Troops that I had left to do, but have also finished some scenic elements which I am looking forward to sharing soon.  With what we hope is the end of the restrictions in sight, I can't wait to see these elements all brought together on the finished boards.

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VE DAY 75

It would seem remiss not to mark today with a post of some description and although many of the wonderful events planned to mark this anniversary have had to be cancelled, I for one will be taking some time to reflect on the sacrifices made by so many so that we may enjoy the freedoms that we do today. It is also important to remember that whilst the guns may have fallen silent in Europe on this day, the conflict continued until 15th August when it was announced that Japan had surrendered unconditionally to the Allies, effectively ending World War II.

In looking for some small way to show my appreciation, I stumbled across the following on the official VE Day 75 Celebration site, which may be of interest to others.  From Bruno Peek LVO OBE OPR, Pageantmaster VE Day 75:

My sincere thanks to the many thousands who registered their involvement and events and were looking forward to celebrating VE Day 75 is the ways planned. I know how disappointed you will be that these cannot go ahead as planned. However we are sill encouraging solo buglers/trumpeters/cornet players to play the Last Post at 2.55pm from the safety of their homes, along with the Pipers undertaking Battle’s O’er and VE 75 years at 3pm local time in the country they are in, as well as Town Criers, Crying out for Peace at 6.55pm in a similar way too on the 8th May 2020.

We are also encouraging all those taking part to undertake the ‘Nation’s Toast to the Heroes of WW2’ at 3pm on the 8th May, from the safety of their own home by standing up and raise a glass of refreshment of their choice and undertake the following ‘Toast’ – 

 “To those who gave so much, we thank you” 

using this unique opportunity to pay tribute to the many millions at home and abroad that gave so much to ensure we all enjoy and share the freedom we have today.

In addition, The Royal British Legion is calling on people across the UK to join in a moment of reflection and Remembrance at 11am on Friday 8th May, the 75th Anniversary of VE Day, and pause for a Two Minute Silence.  

I shall be dusting off the bunting and bedecking the front of 'Awdry Towers' this morning and, as all good posts should have a miniature of some description, leave you with this 'Warlord Games' Winston Churchill, armed with his Tommy Gun, painted to commemorate the day.  Who knows, perhaps he will be found hiding in one of the rooms of the castle?

 “To those who gave so much, we thank you” 

75 years ago today...

...a celebration

Today would have been the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Schloss Itter and it seems only appropriate to mark the day with a suitable post.  As colossal an undertaking as this has been, the project remains one of the most enjoyable and rewarding enterprises, one we are committed to seeing through to its end, whenever that may be?  We have learnt a great deal in terms of our own abilities and along the way we have been buoyed and supported by the many positive comments left on the various posts, blown away by the generosity of individuals wanting to contribute in some small way.

There was, however, a most unexpected outcome that we thought we would share with you today, that of our introduction to Glenn E. Sherman and the role he played in the battle for Schloss Itter.  Back in early December an otherwise nondescript work in progress update to James' Instagram yielded a most unexpected outcome.  In addition to the usual kindly 'likes' offered by myself and his daughters, there was a favourable comment too!  Far be it from me to suggest that a positive comment on James's Instagram is a rare thing, but on this occasion it really was a most welcome surprise - being as it came from over the pond from a Mr. John G. Sherman.

Introductions aside, it became clear that John Sherman was the grandson of Glenn E. Sherman, a name that was strikingly familiar not least because we had come across it in Stephen Harding's, The Last Battle, the book we were using as our primary source of information.  The book makes reference of the decisive action of Boche Buster, the tank that led the reinforcements to the castle, disappointing though, Harding does not fully recognise Glenn's accomplishments as he does for some of the other personalities at the battle.

Therefore, to mark the events that took place seventy five years ago this day, and as part of the wider VE Day75 celebrations, we would like to take a moment to honour Glenn E. Sherman, and thank his grandson John for reaching-out and getting in touch with us. 

Part of the original column that had set out to liberate the castle with Capt. Jack Lee, Glenn and Tech. Sgt. William E. Elliot remained in their tank, nicknamed Boche Buster to defend the bridge serving as an escape route.  However no sooner had Lee arrived at Schloss Itter when the probing assaults of the SS Troops started, culminating with an artillery bombardment of the medieval structure the following day.

Fortunately Glen had navigated his way across enemy held territory, at night, to arrive in true U. S. cavalry style and literally save the day!  The attacking SS soldiers, realising they were no match for Boche Buster’s firepower, immediately retreated, the battle was over.   Glenn was awarded the Silver Star, for gallantry in action with the 12th Armoured Division, near Worgel, Austria, his citation reads as follows: 

“Technician Fourth Grade Sherman, whose regular duty is a tank mechanic, volunteered, although his company had been relieved to drive a tank on a mission during the hours of darkness over ten miles of roads lined with enemy armour.  The following day he drove his tank in the lead of all troops to liberate his company commander and members of the old French Government who were surrounded by an undetermined number of SS troops.  Technician Fourth Grade Sherman's actions were one of the most important elements that [brought] success to such a bold venture.”

James and I have pondered over how best to honour Glenn, and really there is no better way than to allow his Grandson John to do the talking.  The following words, written by John Sherman give a fascinating insight into the life of Glenn, his personality and achievements.

"My Grandpa Glenn Sherman seldom spoke about his experiences in World War II. On the rare occasions he did I was too young to understand; what I do remember vividly are his actions. Over and over again he provided a shining example of someone who worked hard, loved his family, and gave back to his community. 

 From letting his grandkids ride on the fire truck during the 4th of July parade, or taking one fishing, to patiently listening to a fellow farmer’s tale, to letting me explore the attic for the thousandth time,  Grandpa Sherman could always find time to serve his family and friends in his seemingly endless days of carrying mail, farming, and the occasional call to put out a fire.  

After the war, Glenn returned to Cameron to raise a family with his wife Doris and to work on the family farm. He continued to serve the community in many ways; as a member of the Cameron Volunteer Fire Department for 40 years and as a Cameron Postal employee for over 30 years.  

 I will always remember Grandpa Sherman for his gentle smile and quick wit; his tireless days of working without complaint, and his constant willingness to help those in need."

He would often shovel snow for someone not able, or fix a broken down car at a moment’s notice. He even built a house for a son and his young family. 

John G Sherman

It seems unnecessary to add anymore, may the post serve to honour the memory of this community spirited hero, and all who suffered, as we reflect upon the 75th anniversary of VE day.

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The Bounding Basque

By their very nature the French V.I.P. Prisoners at the castle were high profile citizens, they were considered honour prisoners whose fame or importance was deemed useful to the German High Command; amongst them one truly exceptional individual was Jean Borotra.  Borotra had been a prominent French tennis player of the 1920s.   A Grand Slam champion on nineteen separate occasions, including Wimbledon twice, he was also part of the French National Team, known as The Four Musketeers, which included the likes of René Lacoste who in 1927 helped France win the Davis Cup for the first time.

As a tennis player Borotra was a genuine crowd pleaser, always resplendent in his blue beret, famed for his sharp volleys and powerful overhead smashes which were to win him the nickname the Bounding Basque.  It was, however, his dalliance with politics that would see him imprisoned at Schloss Itter.  Borotra was a hugely patriotic man and had enlisted in the French army of World War I shortly after his eighteenth birthday.  He would would see extensive action, winning the Croix de Guerre and ending the war as a Battery Commander.  He remained a reserve officer at the outbreak of World War II and was involved in the fighting on the Lorraine front before his unit was completely surrounded.  Following France's capitulation, Borotra had initially sort to flee to England with his wife and son, but decided to stay in France to serve the country and was persuaded to join the Vichy Party as a Sports Commissioner, with the mandate to "morally re-educate" France's young people.  It was a post that he clearly enjoyed, political misgivings aside, but with the initial round up of Parisian Jews in 1941, Borotra banned all French sporting associations from competing against German Teams.  This was a stand that saw him fired from his position and during his bid to flee the country was arrested by the Gestapo and subsequently imprisoned. 

On his arrival at the castle, Borotra worked hard on maintaining his physical fitness by running laps around the courtyard, in preparation for three escape attempts!  Each time he was recaptured and sent to his room for a period of isolation.  During the battle itself, when it looked as though the defenders, who were perilously short of ammunition, were about to be overrun, Borotra made one final leap of the castle's walls.

The plan was to locate and guide the American relief column to the castle by the quickest route and was potentially a suicide mission.  Unperturbed Borotra, disguised as an Austrian refugee, avoided capture and duly completed his mission delivering the message, before returning at the head of the column, now armed and in American uniform.  It would, of course, have been the simplest thing to have allocated one of the G.I.s to represent this hero of France, but I felt the man deserved something a little more creative and so began the search for a 1920s tennis player.

After an exhaustive search, I stumbled across a potential candidate in the form of an armed cricketer from 'Sloppy Jalopy'.  A 'Warlord Games' Polish paratrooper's head, minus the cap badge, was swapped in to represent the Bounding Basque with the final flourish being the tennis racquet from yet another 'Warlord Games' sprue, this time the female apocalypse survivors frame.  

I am not suggesting for one moment that Jean Borotra leapt to the defence of Schloss Itter in his tennis flannels, but this was too good an opportunity to have some fun and still represent a genuine hero of the hour. 

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A Cross of Iron

I have always found it difficult to resist a movie or popular culture crossover when it comes to this most wholesome of hobbies and so it was that when I stumbled across these splendid miniatures from 'Empress Miniatures', my already weak resolve just caved in completely and an order was placed.  

I have to confess that young Master Awdry was initially confused by Sam Peckinpah's 1977 'anti-war' film, Cross of Iron.  Its treatment of the Second World War was just so different to any other experience that I had had up to that point.  For one thing, I was been asked to view the beleaguered German unit, literally fighting for its life on the Eastern front, as the heroes of the piece.  The level of violence and portrayal of war so far removed from my previous sanitised experiences during the much loved films that I would watch with my father on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Now considered a masterpiece by many, albeit a lengthy self indulgent one, Cross of Iron has clearly had an impact on modern film makers, Quinton Tarantino being one such notable example.  For me it is the character of the indestructible platoon leader, Sergeant Steiner that is most memorable.  Played by James Coburn in the film, Steiner has to fight the war on two fronts, the Russians on one and the overly ambitious Prussian aristocrat, Captain Stransky whose desire to win the Iron Cross puts the men under his command in mortal danger on the other.  It is Steiner and members of his platoon that these four wonderful sculpts, by the talented Paul Hicks, represent. 

Cross of Iron aside, I plan to use the 'Steiner' miniature to represent Major Josef 'Sepp' Gangl, the man who led the German troops during the defence of Schloss Itter.  I appreciate that the weapon might be slightly anachronistic and indeed I probably should have considered displaying his rank more clearly, but there was something about the sculpt that just seemed to resonate with the picture that I had in my mind of the real Major Gangl.

Josef Gangl was a career soldier who had joined the army at eighteen, moving through the ranks and serving almost exclusively with the artillery.  A highly decorated soldier, Gangl was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd class in 1941 and then received the Iron Cross 1st Class in 1942 whilst serving on the Eastern front.  He fought in France during the invasion of the allied forces then redeployed with new equipment, following heavy loses, to take part in the Ardennes offensive.  On March 8, 1945, he was awarded the German Cross in Gold and shortly afterwards was promoted to Major.  In the face of continued loses, he was ordered to take his battalion and fight his way back to the Tyrol to take part in the defence of the Alpine Fortress.  In the final days of the war it becomes clear that Major Gangl's primary mission was to keep the men under his command safe from the advancing Americans and marauding SS Troops.  To that end he contacts the Austrian Resistance and it is through this connection that he finds himself defending French Prisoners of War alongside American G.I.s at Schloss Itter.  Sadly Gangl was fatally wounded  by a sniper while trying to get former French Prime Minister, Paul Reynaud out of the line of fire. He was to be the only defender of the castle to lose his life on the day of the battle.

It seems only fitting that such an important figure in the battle should be represented and I am delighted to have found a suitable miniature, all inaccuracies aside. This has also meant that I have been able to fashion him a character card as well.  It is also lovely to have had the opportunity to paint some Paul Hicks' sculpts again, they really are exquisite.  The only draw back being that they are so accurate that I worry about the details, spending an inordinate amount of time trying to make up my mind as to how to approach them.  As with all such conundrums it is sometimes better just to start and sure enough once underway the process went relative smoothly.  More 'Empress Miniatures' to come in the not too distant future, but a final group shot to end the post.

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An Unlikely Hero

So it turns out that working from home is considerably more time consuming than going to work, who knew?  It's probably just me, but I find the reliance on the technology, covering lessons I wouldn't normally teach and the obligatory preparation all sapping of my time and energy.  As a result, I have fallen behind on my own posts and those of the many splendid weblogs that I so enjoy following.  That said one of the benefits of being at home, and indeed working from the hobby desk, is that I have embraced the '10 minutes a day' approach to hobby time.  I say 10 minutes, but I can often squeeze in a little more in one sitting and so genuine progress has been made on a number of smaller projects that needed to be finished off.  The first of these is part of a series of character posts, this one showcasing, SS-Hauptsturmführer Kurt-Siegfried Schrader.

A decorated SS Officer, Schrader was seriously wounded in the fighting on the Normandy front, for which he was awarded the Wound Badge in Black having previously been awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class and the Eastern Front Medal.  During his convalescence, Schrader had moved his family to the village of Itter.  It was here, on his many walks from his home to the castle, that he befriended the French prisoners and eluded to his growing disgust of the Nazi regime.  

Having been released from service in the last days of the war, Schrader had returned home and hung up his uniform, but was persuaded back into action by the French prisoners he had befriended to act as their security and negotiator if they were attached; an appointment that would ultimately save the the former  SS-Hauptsturmführer from a considerably stretch in prison himself!  As it stands our rules allow for characters to be attached to units in the game.  SS-Hauptsturmführer Schrader can now be attached to a unit of French Prisoners bringing some much needed firepower to their dice pool.

My representation of this unlikely hero in our story is a Stoessi's Heroes miniature available in the United Kingdom through 'Great Escape Games'.  My worry about painting so much black had seen this idea buried in the 'to do' pile, but a renewed desire to get things done saw me approach the problem from a differnt angle - namely don't use black!  To be fair I did use some, namely the boots, belt and collar tabs, but the rest is made up of a variety of different greys, highlighted and the washed with 'Games Workshop' Nuln Oil.  

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