Historical background
In the year 1683 the Ottomans started their second attempt to conquer Vienna, the seat of the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire and the door to further conquest in Europe. It was a major effort with a huge army (170.000 men at the start of the campaign) - too much for the Emporer, who left the City before the Ottomans arrived. After an epic two months siege an allied relief army (Imperial and Polish troops) reached the outskirts of Vienna and in the final battle the Ottomans were decisively beaten and had to retreat the way they had come.
The moment depicted is the final moment before an Ottoman mine was blown up. Some men are pouring out fine gunpowder out of their the sacks and an officer stands ready to ignite it. An observer is ready too see the impact of the explosion and some janissaries are running to the front to their attack positions. The life in these trenches was certainly not a fine one.
In the year 1683 the Ottomans started their second attempt to conquer Vienna, the seat of the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire and the door to further conquest in Europe. It was a major effort with a huge army (170.000 men at the start of the campaign) - too much for the Emporer, who left the City before the Ottomans arrived. After an epic two months siege an allied relief army (Imperial and Polish troops) reached the outskirts of Vienna and in the final battle the Ottomans were decisively beaten and had to retreat the way they had come.
The moment depicted is the final moment before an Ottoman mine was blown up. Some men are pouring out fine gunpowder out of their the sacks and an officer stands ready to ignite it. An observer is ready too see the impact of the explosion and some janissaries are running to the front to their attack positions. The life in these trenches was certainly not a fine one.
The diorama
The figures are all from Orion. For making some kind of sappers the figures had to be converted out of fighting poses. Uniforms were not very developed in this period, so each figure has its own colours or colour variations. The trench walls and the mine entrance are made of wood and cord.
Photos (click to enlarge)
Video (Youtube)
Sources
John Stoye - Die Türken vor Wien
Simon Millar - Vienna 1683 (Osprey Campaign 191)
David Nicolle - Armies of the Ottoman Turks 1300-1774 (Osprey Men-at-Arms 140)
David Nicolle - The Janissaries (Osprey Warrior 58)
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