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Drunk at the Front

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The 7th Panzer Division was sent back to France in May of 1942 to rebuild after its huge losses in men and material during the invasion of Russia. It remained in France until January of 1943 when it returned to the meat grinder with Army Group South.

Here, the troops are recovering from a battle with a French winery.

I couldn’t just employ the excellent figures from Soga (“Power naps of Panzergrenadiers”) straight out of the box, so I designed something a little different. Sleeping it off.

I added a couple of Dragon figures, the sleeper on the hood, and the poor guy on his knees, vomiting.

The Hanomag is from AFV Club and the winery is from Miniart. Both built OOB.
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About the Author

About Ralph Larsson (Bravo36)
FROM: ARIZONA, UNITED STATES

Modeling for 40 years. Started young and never really stopped. These days I split my time between 1/35 armor, dioramas and larger scale figures (90mm & up). Computer nerd now, but I resigned my Regular Army commission as a Captain in '77, Airborne & Mech Infantry (M113A1s) - I was young and stupid...


Comments

Thanks one and all, and appropriately enough my name is 'Ralph' The Saga figures, both these and the US Airborne set are really well done! I do like designing the occasional light-hearted dio. Years ago I did the 'Max Arnold's Drive Thru' diorama. https://armorama.kitmaker.net/features/859 And, for the record, I screwed up - the additional figures are from MasterBox. Carry on and stay healthy...
MAY 21, 2020 - 04:30 AM
Absolutely amazing what you present here. Alcoholic combat exhaustion at its best! 😉😁
MAY 21, 2020 - 06:51 AM
BRAVO !! A great idea, a great build and a very different and refreshing way of showing life at war. Congratulations... and a modest comment : "Maison de la presse" means "/news/books shop" in french ... but reading can be sometime exhilarating)
MAY 22, 2020 - 05:24 AM
Great dio; I really like the figures sleeping (it off) in the Hanomag and the detail of the building, tree etc is first-rate. That being said I didn't care much for the kneeling guy (Ralph?) as he seems utterly bald which I just thought was odd. Just saying...
MAY 22, 2020 - 12:12 PM
This is a fun diorama, thanks for sharing it with us. I imagine that one guy would stand next to the vomiter and say in German, "Say it, I will never do this again... say it!"
MAY 23, 2020 - 04:52 AM
Merde! I swear I looked at period photos and found one that appeared to be a pic of a winery with that name. In any case, thanks for the comment.
MAY 23, 2020 - 05:49 AM
Thanks, and that poor slob is meant to be bald. That's an aftermarket head (Hornet, I think) added to a MasterBox figure. I thought it would help draw even more attention to him, and his sad state. That said, I do find it hard to pull off - painting a bald figure... Ralph
MAY 23, 2020 - 05:54 AM
Haha, great story telling. I've been there a few times before.
MAY 23, 2020 - 08:00 AM
Merde! I swear I looked at period photos and found one that appeared to be a pic of a winery with that name. In any case, thanks for the comment.[/quote] Excellent french Ralph ! And thank you for your fair reaction and positive answer. If you need some input in "français" next time, feel free to ask. I will be delighted to help... even for 0,0009% extra quality All the best
MAY 24, 2020 - 09:02 AM
Not sure how I missed this gem on the first go around. Great concept and great execution. Cheers, C.
JUL 06, 2020 - 03:03 AM