1/35 DAK Nachrichten-Fern-Aufkl-Kp 621

[nimrod484]

This diorama was inspired by the following picture from Panzers in the Desert by Bruce Quarrie, Patrick Stephens Ltd. It is a signals operator using a direction finding radio to snoop.

 

 

Happy to answer any questions about it. Here it is - 

 

Here is the full diorama from each side.

 

 

 

 

And details...

 

 

 

 

 

[Vince1159]

Fantastic job...

[BigginHill]

very effective

[Homer]

Well done, it looks fantastic 👏 

[Toryu]

Superb diorama, and lovely detail. Bravo for depicting the correct colour for the Nachrichtentruppe on the lieutenant's shoulder straps! The 621st was very effective until nearly annihilated by an SAS raid (I think it was).

[nimrod484]

Thanks Toryu. I tried several techniques and materials for the first time. Still trying to improve my figure painting...
 

I did a fair amount of research to try to get it right, especially on the radio EP. 2a and the stand. I enjoy this as much as the build.

 

 Based on various sources, including the links below, it seems this unit was 2or 3 km from the front and overrun at El Alemain by the Australians.

 

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/0161-119791885896?journalCode=ucry20

 

https://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/forum/wehrmacht-uniforms-and-equipment/communications-equipment/864355-nachrichten-fern-aufkl-kp-621-afrika

A great photo of same radio set up which informed my diorama in second link. I may revisit and continue to add to the diorama... 

 

 

[svaust]

Nice work!, These guys where over run by the Australian 2/24th battalion on the morning of the 10 July 1942 . They just happened to be right in the line of the 2/24th's  assigned objective behind an Italian division . At the time of the attack the Australian's had no idea they were there or their importance. My grandfather served with the 2/24th and was there on that day . I found your model while doing some research . ( I've also just got back into modelling).  My grandfather used to tell me how  one of the 621's trucks had been driven into a mine field , My Grandfather was sergent of the transport platoon and liked to get any German vehicles he could get his hands on , he went into the mine field,took the truck and drove it back clipping a mine on the way and damaging the truck but when they checked in the back they found all the intelligence documents . anyway sorry if that's a little off topic but love that you have done this diorama . 

[nimrod484]

12 hours ago, svaust said:

Nice work!, These guys where over run by the Australian 2/24th battalion on the morning of the 10 July 1942 . They just happened to be right in the line of the 2/24th's  assigned objective behind an Italian division . At the time of the attack the Australian's had no idea they were there or their importance. My grandfather served with the 2/24th and was there on that day . I found your model while doing some research . ( I've also just got back into modelling).  My grandfather used to tell me how  one of the 621's trucks had been driven into a mine field , My Grandfather was sergent of the transport platoon and liked to get any German vehicles he could get his hands on , he went into the mine field,took the truck and drove it back clipping a mine on the way and damaging the truck but when they checked in the back they found all the intelligence documents . anyway sorry if that's a little off topic but love that you have done this diorama . 

That’s really interesting to hear about your grandfather! Thanks for sharing. Like you, I just got back into modelling and this was my first diorama. I find this unit particularly interesting. I aim to upgrade this diorama a bit to improve some parts and redo the figures as I am not satisfied with the diorama still. 
 

I am building a series of dioramas related to the 621 unit. I have two ideas, and started a 1/48 scale project - the sdkfz261 you can see in the Armour in progress section is the starting point. An sdkfz 251/3 is another I am buying kits for. You have now given me a great idea for a fourth possibility. Maybe you could do something in parallel based on a German truck kit.