Diorama: Aussie M13/40 (1 Viewer)

[PolarBear]

Here is a diorama I made in the 1970s using a Revell/Italeri M13/40 and Italian tank commander and 2 Tamiya Desert Rats. It depicts a captured italian M13/40 with new Aussie kangaroo markings. I dedicate this photo to our moderator Brad and all his fellow devotees of the Jerboa.
Randy

 

[Louis Badolato]

I built that same model (also in the 70's) but mine has not survived (as I built it with firecrackers inside, and it went the way of the dodo during one of my backyard battles). Its nice to see at least one made it out of childhood. By the way, I think yours was built a lot more skillfully than mine.

 

[jazzeum]

Jerboans everywhere thank you

 

[PolarBear]

Louis:

I was 30 when I made it so that explains its survival, including 3 moves.
Did yours have Aussie or Italian markings?

Brad:

I almost added the same jerboa photo to my post.
I really like your new avatar.

You can see I'm having fun with my camera and photoshop. This forum is a nice place to be for a retiree. I have been inspired by what others have posted, especially those great Anglo-Zulu pix by the LT.

Thanks,

Randy

 

[Louis Badolato]

Louis:

I was 30 when I made it so that explains its survival, including 3 moves.
Did yours have Aussie or Italian markings?

I built mine with Aussie markings (unlike many collectors, I prefer having a lot of good guys on hand).

 

[jazzeum]

How did the Jerboa become the symbol of the 7th Armored Division in North Africa?

According to the British National Army Museum, the wife of the divisional commander visited Cairo Zoo where she came across the Jerboa, a tiny jumping rodent. On her return, she produced a sketch she had made of the animal that was then was redrawn and adopted by the unit. As the Jerboa looked a bit like a rat, and the division was then serving in the Western Desert, they soon got the nickname ‘The Desert Rats.’ When the 7th Armoured Division was disbanded in 1953 the 7th Brigade carried on their tradition and famous title.

The image of the emblem was the one in use by the Brigade as of 1991.

 

[OzDigger]

It should be noted that no Australian troops or vehicles had the Jerboa/Longtailed Desert Rat as an insignia because the badge belongs strictly to the British 7th Armoured Division as Jazzeum has indicated.

I suspect the confusion came about because the Australian 7th (Infantry) Division were the main defenders of Tobruk where they were referred to by Lord Haw-Haw as "the poor desert rats infesting Tobruk."

 

[jazzeum]

Oz,

This is what I found for the Australian 7th Infantry Division. Is this correct? I don't know if this was the one used back in 1941-1942.

This is an interesting site for Australian tactical emblems.

 

[OzDigger]

That's the one Brad, that was the type of sign used on the Aussie Army vehicles while the soldiers had different colour patches sewn on their uniforms to identify the unit they belonged to.

However there were some variations. For example 9th Division, which was perhaps the most famous Australian Infantry Division in WWII, was allowed to have a capital "T" on their uniforms as they were the main force at the seige of Tobruk.

I guess this T also increased the profile of 9th Division as it set them apart from other units that had the colour patches only. In fact 7th Division called themselves the Silent Seventh as they felt their war performance was over-shadowed by 9th Division etc.