Gaynes's Mill 1862

Historical background

In 1862 the American civil war was in its second year and the Union army stood only a few miles before Richmond, the capital of the Confederacy. As Robert E. Lee, the most famous of all civil war commanders, took over command of the Confederate troops he made the decision to attack his opponent instead of digging in and await the onslaught. In a series of battles within only seven days (one of which was Gaynes's Mill) Lee pushed the Union army further and further away from Richmond and the Unionist had to give up their dream of a quick victory. The war continued till 1865 and resulted in a complete defeat of the Confederacy.

The moment depicted is the stand of the 5th New York Volunteer Regiment (also known as Duryee's Zuaves) to hold back the approaching Confederate attack wave. It was only a shortlived defence as the Southern troops overwhelmed them and they had to retreat.

The diorama

The figures are from Italeri. As there are only limited poses for the Zuaves (a quite fancyfull costume inspired by French troops) some conversions had to be done. The fence is made of wood and the shoddy tree of wire, putty and foliage by Noch.


Photos (click to enlarge)

Video (YouTube)

Sources

Angus Konstam - Seven days battles 1862 (Osprey Campaign 133)
Andre Jouineau - Officers and soldiers of the American civil war Vol. 1
Andre Jouineau - Officers and soldiers of the American civil war Vol. 2
Philip Katcher - American civil war armies 2, Union troops (Osprey Men-at-Arms 177)
Philip Katcher - Flags of the American civil war 2, Union (Osprey Men-at-Arms 258)

Iwo Jima 1945

Historical background

In 1945 it was clear that Japan will lose the war, but non of the Imperial Japanese soldiers wasted only a thought on giving up. So as the U.S. Marines landed on this strategic important island they had to discover that each step gained had to be paid in blood and it took them over two months to conquer the whole island (21 square Kilometers) and more than 7.000 men killed in action. The Japanese garrison was completely annihilated (only 216 are taken prisoner).

Clint Eastwood made two really great movies about this battle:
Letters from Iwo Jima (seen from the Japanese side)
Flags of our fathers (seen from the American side)

The moment depicted is the rising of the U.S. flag on Mount Suribachi. It was the second rising of the flag, as by the first time no camera filmed it, so it had to be done again. It is one of the most famous war pictures of all times. The Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, Virginia is based on this picture.


The diorama

The whole diorama is from Esci who is based on the monument. The figures had to be glued together from several pieces and they don't fit very well. Also the correct configuration of the figures to achieve the effect of raising the flag is hard to achieve.

My customer wished the monument base in black with gold letters and the rest of the diorama in natural colours. So the sand is black (Iwo Jima is a volcano island) and the sparse vegetation is dry and brown.


Photos (click to enlarge)

  

Video (YouTube)

Sources

Derrick Wright - Iwo Jima 1945 (Osprey Campaign 81)
Philip Katcher - The US army 1941-1945 (Osprey Men-at-Arms 70)
Mark R. Henry - The US army in world war II Part 1: the Pacific (Osprey Men-at-Arms 342)
Gordon Rottman - US Marina Corps 1941-1945 (Osprey Elite 59)