clive_t Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 In two days' time, on 23rd October 2017, will be the 75th anniversary of what is widely regarded as the 'Battle of El Alamein' - more accurately, the Second Battle of Alamein. That this will in all probability receive at least some coverage in the national news will not come as a great surprise; indeed, such commemorations are vital in remembering the sacrifices made in the name of freedom. Almost as a natural consequence, however, the importance of other battles leading up to 'Alamein' is all but unknown to the lay person. The Battle of Alam Halfa is, I believe, one such event. Commencing on 31st August 1942, it raged for about a week, finally petering out by 6th September with the withdrawal of the Axis forces. It was the last offensive mounted by the Germans in North Africa, and they were soundly beaten in all but name. My personal belief is that what prevented the battle being more widely publicised is Montgomery's refusal to be drawn into pursuit of the retreating Axis forces. Because of this he received a fair amount of criticism from many, Churchill included, for being 'over-cautious'. Perhaps more telling, though, is the comment made by his Axis opposite number, Rommel: "The swine didn't come out!" History now relates, of course, that the weeks of preparation time that Alam Halfa bought Montgomery were put to good use, and the resulting success of the attack on 23rd October was in large measure due to that. It would be fair to say that I have, over the past few years, developed a personal interest in the Battle of Alam Halfa, since learning of my late father's possible involvement in it. I say 'possible' because his untimely death at the age of 43, just 3 weeks before my 3rd birthday, robbed me of any chance I would ever have of actually hearing his experiences in his words. His service record - the retrieval of which was itself something of a detective mystery - revealed little in the way of campaign or battle details, aside from a brief reference to his being wounded in action on 1st September 1942: Thus my desire to find out more was sparked. Trooper William John Tucker, 7890460 His attestation papers showed William John Tucker enlisted into the 44th Royal Tank Regiment in Bristol in January 1939, aged 19. Thereafter, a series of transfers, temporary promotions (Acting Lance Corporal), not to say demotion back to Trooper (for refusal to obey an order), and even a harrowing sea voyage from Greenock in Scotland to Port Said in Egypt aboard no less a vessel than RMS Queen Mary, culminated in his joining the 3rd Royal Tank Regiment on 20th July 1942. At this point, hard facts around his movements start to become increasingly difficult to come by, to be replaced by conjecture, and, some might be forgiven for saying, 'wishful thinking'. Such facts as there are about 3RTR's activities during this period are recorded in the Regimental Diary. Typically, other ranks were not mentioned by name save to record their death, so there is no specific mention of my father by name. There are, however, tantalising glimpses of events in which he would in all probability have been involved. There is mention, for example, of the arrival of 137 reinforcement personnel on 20th July, which coincided with the known date of his arrival in Egypt. The mention, on 23rd July, of a fortnight's training being organised in readiness for the arrival of American-built M3 Grant tanks, led me to suppose that he, as a trained tank driver, would also have been amongst those receiving training. From there, to the mention of the regiment's casualty count at the end of 1st September (one officer, five other ranks wounded) led me to suppose that he was one of those five. Indeed it's possible that those six, including my father, were the crew of one Grant. However, the fact that the regiment suffered loss and damage to Grants and Crusaders that day means that I can't be 100% certain of this, nor even his being in a Grant when he was injured. Nor, of course, did it mention the nature of his injuries. His service record showed his being out of action until 15th September, so it's likely that he would have been evacuated to the rear before the end of the day. Therefore, I've used a bit of licence to include a full crew in the diorama. Not only that, I've portrayed the tank and its crew 'at leaguer' at the end of the fighting on 1st September. However, the regimental diary shows that the withdrawal to night leaguer took place after 7:30pm, by which time it would have been getting dark! I had hoped to have this diorama completed in time for the 75th anniversary of my father being wounded, however it was not to be. In retrospect, I would have to admit to spending too long on interior detailing on the vehicle that simply will not be seen; that said, no experience can be truly called bad experience if one can learn something from it, and I learned plenty. Regardless of its lateness, I am proud to dedicate this dio to my father, and his RTR colleagues many of whom failed to return home at the end of the war. If you would like to follow the WIP for the tank, you can find it here. There are separate WIP threads for the figures here, and the diorama base here. The tank also has its own RFI thread, here, in case you interested in just the tank. So finally, here is - my first diorama, 'Alam Halfa Ridge: 3RTR at Leaguer, 1st September 1942'. I hope you enjoy these few photos; I have enjoyed the whole project immensely, and although there are things that I might have done differently or better, at least I now have some experience to build on. Comments, criticisms all welcome! 46 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badder Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 An interesting and informative introduction to this superb tribute, Clive. I've already commented on your Grant and figures during your WIPs, so I will give others a chance to heap praise upon them! Rearguards, Badder 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelman182 Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 Clive A great and very fitting tribute. Lots of detective work to get to the scene, which is always of interest, and a wonderful re-creation of a scene that was (no doubt) repeated many times across the North African deserts and the many days and nights spent there by valiant troops (of both sides). No matter that it has arrived later than originally planned - it still serves as a heart warming reminder to those of who vow never to forget the efforts and sacrifices of those who have gone before us. All the best Kev 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cadman Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 That's a superb diorama. Hacking around at figures to get the exact pose you want is always difficult; and then there's the painting that has to be done. These figures look terrific and I bet they look even better from normal viewing distances. Cheers H 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AgentG Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 I have no idea how I missed this. Exceptional work sir. G 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gorby Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 Wow! That's good, I like it a lot and I found the story behind it quite moving. It all looks very natural and realistic. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redcoat2966 Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 Nice bit of work there Clive..................my next project is going to be an allied AFV....not sure which, but looking..... Regards Simon. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clive_t Posted October 21, 2017 Author Share Posted October 21, 2017 Thanks very much @Badder, @modelman182, @Cadman, @AgentG, @Gorby, @LONGSHANKS2966 for your comments, I very much appreciate them. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in Lincs Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 Coming back from a long walk with a shovel to get a brew. Magic. A lovely, very well modelled, and fitting tribute to those brave men. Bless them all. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clive_t Posted October 22, 2017 Author Share Posted October 22, 2017 Thanks Pete, and totally agree, bless them all. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehnz Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 A nicely constructed dio, lots of action, lots to look at. Steve. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Man Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 Great to see this all together, ir! Wonderful modeling, and the background is extremely interesting. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clive_t Posted October 22, 2017 Author Share Posted October 22, 2017 Thanks very much, Steve and OM - most kind of you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Wasley Posted October 23, 2017 Share Posted October 23, 2017 See now why you put so much into it Clive,moving intro and a Very fitting tribute to all who served and those that made the ultimate sacrifice,needs to be in a Museum for future generations to see,"Lest We Forget". 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clive_t Posted October 23, 2017 Author Share Posted October 23, 2017 Cheers Jim, I appreciate the comment - and totally agree with 'Lest We Forget' too. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamden Posted October 25, 2017 Share Posted October 25, 2017 Stunning Tribute as well as workmanship! Every small detail thought of and recreated OUTSTANDING! Roger 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gimme Shelter Posted October 25, 2017 Share Posted October 25, 2017 wow - such brilliant work - so much to see, so much going on - right down to the toilet roll smashing modelling 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clive_t Posted October 25, 2017 Author Share Posted October 25, 2017 7 hours ago, Hamden said: Stunning Tribute as well as workmanship! Every small detail thought of and recreated OUTSTANDING! Roger Cheers Roger, very kind of you 5 hours ago, Gimme Shelter said: wow - such brilliant work - so much to see, so much going on - right down to the toilet roll smashing modelling Thanks 'Gimme' much appreciated Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozzy Posted October 25, 2017 Share Posted October 25, 2017 Fantastic work Clive and a nicely detailed account. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clive_t Posted October 25, 2017 Author Share Posted October 25, 2017 32 minutes ago, Ozzy said: Fantastic work Clive and a nicely detailed account. Thanks Ozzy, for your most kind comments 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ventora3300 Posted October 26, 2017 Share Posted October 26, 2017 Absolutely outstanding work and attention to detail. Very inspiring - the painting detail is fantastic. The 1/72 Airfix 'Lee/Grant Tank' was one of my favourites from my youth and your personal story about tracking back on your Dad's service record is absolutely fascinating. Well done and more power to your elbow! Regards, Mike. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clive_t Posted October 26, 2017 Author Share Posted October 26, 2017 Thanks for your very kind comments, Mike, they are much appreciated. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlaStix Posted October 27, 2017 Share Posted October 27, 2017 Absolutely brilliant Clive and a perfect tribute. Very, very well done. Kind regards, Stix 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clogged Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 Great work. I would be very proud of the result! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt.Squarehead Posted January 16, 2018 Share Posted January 16, 2018 Truly magnificent tribute! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now