Fighting in the heart of Normandy... (2 Viewers)

[Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio]

In July of 1944 the US 29th, 30th and 35th Divisions were heavily engaged in fighting with Heer, SS and Fallschirmjagers in and around Saint Lo. This town was centrally located in the heart of the biggest farming area in Normandy.

The inhabitants of Saint Lo had little to rejoice about the landings on June 6th: on the same day wave after wave of Allied bombers dropped tons of bombs reducing the town to a heap of rubble.

 

[Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio]

Although the German LXXXIV Armee Korps and the II Fallschirmjager-Korps were considerably weakened from continuous fighting since June 6th, the 2nd SS had moved into the area with nearly 20,000 men.

The area around the town was dotted with farms and these were bordered by the famous "bocage Saint-Louis" which the German defenders used to their advantage.

 

[Lewey Gun Vick]

Excellent photos and history lesson Ken!

Cheers!
Jake

 

[Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio]

The advance was slowed by the deadly game of hide and seek...

Each hedgerow, pasture and farm had to be cleared...

 

[Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio]

Men suffered in the humidity of the summer heat, clinging to the narrow lanes and walls bordering the farms. Movement in the open was sure to draw fire...

Often to enemy seemed to appear from nowhere...

 

[Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio]

As the Americans closed in on Saint-Lo the Germans used the ruins in defense. Over 90% of the town had been destroyed by the Allied bombardment.

 

[Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio]

I will add to the storyline as we get closer to the Chicago OTSN show. These images have featured a selection of 14" X 11" custom dioramas that we will be offering for sale.

Although only 6 different custom dioramas were pictured here, we will have several others including a few larger ones. We will also be offering our smaller scenic elements and of course, a selection of H&A scenic accessories.
The figures featured for scale reference and storyline include W. Britain, ONWTC, Conte and 1st Legion.
Hope to see some of you soon!
All the Best,
Ken

 

[King's Man]

How soon before we enter Saint-Lo? Is that when we will see the buildings? Will the wall with the Saint-Lo sign be for sale or is this a one of a kind item?

King's Man

 

[Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio]

Hello there,
The stucco walls pictured with the sign is a one-off at the moment and is part of the 11" X 14" diorama pictured with the W. Britain Pak 40.

There are several other wall variations that will be offered at the Chicago show with custom signs and I will take some more pictures early next week to post.

I was inspired by some photographs I took some years ago in Europe of signs still visible on walls and buildings dating from the occupation during WWII. It is hard to say how many there were, or how many were painted over, removed or destroyed. They sure do set a time and place however and would make great displays for some of the excellent figures and vehicles offered today.

We have been pretty busy here between W. Britain, H&A and some museum work and are wrapping up the final details on many of the items we will be bringing to the show.
More soon!
Ken

 

[Firebat]

Ken

I am becoming a big fan of your style.......Elegant simplicity....Alex

 

[Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio]

Here are a few images of our new damaged Normandy Barn and courtyard as featured in our custom diorama at the OTSN show.
The roof and sidewall are damaged showing off interior detail...

 

[Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio]

The large doors on the front operate so you can open and close them to use the interior space...

All we added to the custom version was the hay and the small barrel. The interior walls are detailed with stone, brick and timber.

You can easily fit a soft skinned vehicle inside, or back a Panther inside to conceal most of it...

 

[Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio]

The courtyard shown in the bottom of this image is available as a separate piece and is designed to be used with the barn or our Normandy stone wall sections. Each one comes complete with the small bush as pictured at the end of the cobblestones.

 

[Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio]

A few more images of the barn and farmyard...
A view looking down the lane showing the damaged wall. Notice the wattle showing between the timber framing at the gable end.

A view from the outside looking into the farmyard.

From the inside showing the Barn and courtyard section. The vehicle is by W. Britain.

All of these were photographed in front of one of our hand painted backdrops to give the illusion of the real world.
Both the Normandy barn and the courtyard are currently available and come completely assembled and painted. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you might have.
I hope you enjoy these, thanks for looking!
All the Best,
Ken

 

[Nooooo9]

It's a beautiful piece of work. I look forward to seeing more offerings.

 

[Mitch]

Very nice
Mitch

 

[tallyho]

for a newbie like me those look outstanding

 

[mikemiller1955]

Mr. Osen....this barn may be your best work yet...I really like that it can work in so many periods...I look at some of the pictures you took of your model and it hard to believe they are not pictures of real structures in the country...the dirt...the hay...the shrubs...the brick...this one really cam together...

the rafters and shingles are spectacular...

 

[Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio]

Hi all,
Thank you so much for the kind comments! I really enjoy making patterns for buildings and structures and try to be thoughtful to make them useful for more than one period.
I have several others in various stages of patterning that we hope to finish before the year is out, some of them for North America.
We still have a fair amount of work to finish up here including new patterns for W. Britain, special commissions and museum work. Our new H&A products must wait until the other clients work is finished first, although we can occasionally kill two birds with one stone.
Thanks again,
Ken

 

[mestell]

Hi all,
Thank you so much for the kind comments! I really enjoy making patterns for buildings and structures and try to be thoughtful to make them useful for more than one period.
I have several others in various stages of patterning that we hope to finish before the year is out, some of them for North America.
We still have a fair amount of work to finish up here including new patterns for W. Britain, special commissions and museum work. Our new H&A products must wait until the other clients work is finished first, although we can occasionally kill two birds with one stone.
Thanks again,
Ken

Looking forward to the North American buildings. I am already planning the space that I will be using to display them.
Mike