First question
is why paint the miniature? (I didn’t, Ray did but that’s not the point), why
is the miniature on sale from a manufacturer?, why buy it? I suppose I like the disturbing but true and it’s only a metal miniature, this scene happened a lot as a deterrent
to others and some say kept the German army together in the later stages of the
war.
There were a
lot of examples of battlefied justice throughout the centuries for example English
drumhead court martials (I believe first documented in the Peninsular War 1807,
the term arose from the use of a drumhead as an improvised writing table) but is the miniature is justied or just disturbing?
I have
included some other examples of battlefield or otherwise justice miniatures.
Feldgendarmerie units were generally given occupation duties in territories
directly under the control of the Wehrmacht. The duties policing the areas behind the front lines,
ranged from straightforward traffic control and population control to
suppression and execution of partisans and the apprehension of enemy stragglers.
But by 1943
as the tide of war changed for Nazi Germany, the Feldgendarmerie were given the task to maintain discipline in the Wehrmacht. Many ordinary soldiers deemed to be deserters were summarily executed by Feldgendarmerie units. This earned them the pejorative Kettenhunde (chained dogs) after the gorget they wore with their uniforms. The arbitrary and brutal
policing of soldiers gave them the other nickname Heldenklauer (hero-snatcher) because they screened refugees and hospital
transports for potential deserters with orders to kill suspected malingerers. Rear-echelon personnel would also be checked for
passes that permitted them to be away from the front.
I may never use the miniature in a game but I still bought it though, apologies if the images disturb but it did happen!
The miniature is from CP Models and the Feldgendarmerie are from AB figures.
Execution of a German soldier caught in a US uniform in WW2 around the time of the Battle of the Bulge I believe.
The execution of Catherine Howard.
English Civil War justice I think from Redoubt Miniatures.
Guillotine set from Foundry Miniatures.
You know what? It is a fact of life...and as accurate as you seem to like to be, I think it HAS to be a part of things.
ReplyDeleteI suspect these types of scenes were more commen than we know! Often thought about getting some but not sure what to do with them after they are painted so usually end up buying figures I can use. Nice painting and basing you two.
ReplyDeleteThis post is sick, I think I'm gonna throw up, there must be something wrong with you........... did you bring me in any DVD's for tonight???
ReplyDeleteTo be historically accurate these things need to be included. What happened was disturbing and not looking at it is counterproductive. Violence as portrayed in video games causes us to become inured to it and blunts our humanity. This does not have that effect. It is useful to see reality portrayed in this manner. It reminds us of what we are capable of at our worst. Keep it in your games.
ReplyDeleteI care more for historical accuracy. We shouldn't deny that this stuff happened. I doubt you'll use them in a game, but they are good to have in the collection.
ReplyDeleteThat's certainly very different from other things you post, grim to say the least.
ReplyDeleteI prefer my Soviet execution set, with a Commissar about to administer a fatal shot to a deserter...
ReplyDeleteI just sold my 'La Resistance' project that featured Maquis, Gestapo and SD Police troops complete with dog teams. It did also have a touch of 'Allo Allo' about it though...
As always, excellent work.
In the same vein of 'Nazi' Policing, Battlefield do a Marine Kursten unit modelled checking papers and passes.
I think this set will be a part of our convention game for Berlin 1945, or at least I will try to get it included.
ReplyDeleteInteresting set of figures. These things did go on. Agree may be hard to find a use unless using as scenery for some kinda skirminsh game
ReplyDeleteFirst up, good model, really well painted. As for being justified, I think so as it's part of war (unpleasant as it is). I don't think it's any worse than someone getting their limb hacked off or bayoneted (which I've seen every so often on CoolMiniOrNot). I think that's partly why I prefer Sci-Fi/Fantasy as you can be a bit more detached from the horror.
ReplyDeleteI think that's about where I would draw the line though.
Very much like your blog Mr. Lurker (or may I call you Angry?)...yes, war is a nasty business. For me this hobby is part fascination, part creative outlet but also part rememerance. Makes me grateful I live in the society I do, even with all my petty complaints about it. A friend has a 15mm Madam Guillotine for the encouragement of revolutionary fervour; and I'm not aversed to using 20mm NKVD units to 'fire' up enthusiasm in some attacks.
ReplyDeleteI would say these are only slightly more disturbing than some of the many casualty markers available for wargames but hey, thats just me, i bet the wife would be horrified hahaha :)
ReplyDeleteDifferent!
ReplyDeleteMy first morning post.:)
ReplyDeleteCant appreciate the work though. Every single one is so realistic and good. I like the warning prefix to prepare ourself. I started to view saying "dont think what happened in real centuries ago, enjoy the art work.
Thank you.
I don't agree that it HAS to be included, but neither do I think they should not. I have a friend who will nolonger wargame WWI after visiting the graves, different people get different reactions to things we may well accept, does not mean we should apply ourselves in the same way. If you like it, add it as a diaroma at the back some where and wait for the comments ;-)
ReplyDeleteLooks really nice as well. Loving the blog, helpsme with coming back to the hobby
I don't know much about War, but it's War... so it goes without saying that it wasn't pretty. Good post. As always I enjoy your post. Be Well. :)
ReplyDeleteWho knew there were so many execution minatures?
ReplyDeletethanks for the WARNING part, Lurk, I appreciate it!
ReplyDeleteVery nicely done. I agree that it would be especially useful in skirmishing.
ReplyDeleteI don't se whats wrong with those miniatures. We play games in which our little lead men get killed in horrible and inhuman ways all the time.
ReplyDeleteThought-provoking displays, I must say. However, I don't pass any judgement on them. If anything, they are historically accurate - and very well-painted, for sure. In fact, I will likely get the guillotine set someday - for the historical value, of course. Best, Dean
ReplyDeletehehe...that's nice! The Guillotine and the English Civil War justice .... You make a really fantastic work! Respect!
ReplyDeleteGood post. Several of these could be included in a skirmish level game.
ReplyDeleteWho's offended by dead people?
ReplyDeleteNot I...lol.
damn, those are awesome
ReplyDeleteThe Guillotine set is especially nice- could be very useful for a game table.. a line of people to be executed, and move them forward one for each turn, with maybe a key person to be saved for the scenario in the line up.
ReplyDeleteHappened so perfectly acceptable...
ReplyDeleteCheers
Paul
I actually think it's sobering and healthy to remember the historical reality in our gaming, lest we forget that the reality wasn't a game. Representing it in a model is, I think, no different that laying it out in a film or in a novel.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. As you've said this did happen and can see no reason not to have them.
ReplyDeleteI like that execution one; lookin great as always
ReplyDeleteThe execution is not my type of pictures, but ok.
ReplyDeleteOffensive or not offensive depends largely on the context they are used and presentation. A good rule of thumb is if you feel your crossing some line then you probably are or right at it and might want to rethink what your doing. If you don't feel your going to far then your probably good to go.
ReplyDeleteI won't pass judgement on the above pics other then to say IMHO while it may have happened I don't see the use for them in historical wargames, however they could be used for pulp gaming for example.
Christopher
Great miniature and well painted. Like you said it happened.
ReplyDeleteLovely work on a rather grim subject. Good to see something out of the ordinary.
ReplyDeleteWell done.
For me, it really doesn't matter if "it" happened or not....simply because I find it hard to be offended by your artwork when television and the movies are full of much more grisly depictions of death. Should it be included in wargaming? Why not? We pretend to rain down death and destruction every time we roll the dice. Also, we've all probably painted up casualty markers before. The only difference here is that the scene is showing the actual moment of death (or shortly thereafter). We all have to remember that these are hobbies and games that we play. Why get uptight over something so trivial when the world is dark enough?
ReplyDeleteGreat job on the painting and excellent thought-provoking post.
And by the way, my comments come from a guy that grew up in a military family and town and who respects those that gave their lives in service. I cherish and remember the past but in the end....these are just lead toys.
Wow those are rather brutal. They add an important layer of reality to things though.
ReplyDeleteBy accepting and understanding the full consequences of war and violence is the only way to avoid it in the future. That said your miniatures have been beautifully executed; no pun intended.
ReplyDeleteGood work on such horrible things that have happened!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful creations! Twitter
ReplyDeleteI wonder what kinds of battles would require such pieces to begin with.
ReplyDeleteNice work.
ReplyDeleteCheers
Paul
Very dark reminder that we live in an imperfect world. Nice work on the miniatures.
ReplyDeleteMake for a great catalyst for a fratricide game. Vet group of grenadiers see one of their NCOs executed for whatever and let the 9mm and 7.92mm fly! SD or SS vs. Heer? Either way the Brit paras in the trees just sit back and watch.
ReplyDeleteGerman vs. German, now that's not too Weird War,
Brian
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