Preview - Australia at War (1 Viewer)

[King & Country]

PREVIEW:
AUSTRALIA AT WAR
​

This past July I was fortunate, yet again, to be able to go down to Australia for the annual “Meet’n’Greet” in Brisbane, Sydney and now, Melbourne.

During the fantastic Brisbane event at St. Joseph’s Nudgee College I was also privileged to see the amazing dios created by the great team of Phil Charlwood, Bob and Elliot Crombie, John Kerby, Brett Williams, Wayne Roberts, Marc Robertson and, of course, Martin Kerby.

One particular diorama had a major impact on me…The Western Front Battle… complete with trenches, dugouts, bunkers, latrines and lots of shell holes and plenty of barbed wire!

To say I was inspired by these guys’ work and efforts would be a major understatement! Following ongoing discussions with many of the individuals involved and, subsequently, with other Aussie dealers and collectors in Sydney and Melbourne I came back to Hong Kong determined make our own small tribute to Australians who fought and died in “The Great War”.

PREVIEW​

Once back in “The Pearl of the Orient” I sat down with our creative team and mapped out a plan of action… We already had a whole raft of brand-new World War One figures and accessories in the production line but, I told them, I want more !

Looking back at an earlier WWI release of figures several of the team suggested we look at an upgrading and adaptation of some of our “1917” release of British “Tommies” . After all the basic equipment and weapons are the same only the uniform required modifications…And don’t forget those brown boots!!!

So we got down to work immediately. We also decided, at the same time, that all of the 12 figures would be available with the battalion patches of three relevant and famous units from New South Wales… Queensland and Victoria --- Subsequently we will be offering all 12 of our fighting Aussies in a choice of 1st., 8th. and/or 9th. Infantry Battalions.

For your information the 1st. recruited from New South Wales, particularly Sydney… the 8th. , part of the division’s 2nd. Brigade took volunteers from the State of Victoria and the 9th., belonging to the 3rd.Brigade from Queensland.

WORLD WAR ONE or “THE GREAT WAR” had a massive impact on Britain, her Empire and its Dominions. Here at K&C we are very excited and inspired to be involved in remembering the huge cost and mighty sacrifice made by so many between the years 1914 and 1918 .

With Best Wishes,​

Andy C.​

 

[Jack]

Now we're talking! Advance Australia Fair! The 9th Bn is a great choice.

 

[wayne556517]

Where nearly talking Australia has a Western seaboard you know..............^&confuse..............^&grin



11th Battalion
The 11th Battalion was among the first infantry units raised for the AIF during the First World War. It was the first battalion recruited in Western Australia, and with the 9th, 10th and 12th Battalions it formed the 3rd Brigade.

Following the outbreak of the First World War, enrolments for the battalion began in Perth and Fremantle on 11 August and three days later, selections began. On 17 August, the training camp at Blackboy Hill was officially opened and this became the battalion's home for the next ten weeks as the men underwent their transition from civilians to soldiers. The 11th Battalion embarked from Fremantle aboard the transport ship A11 Ascanius on 2 November1914. It arrived in Egypt to continue its training in early December. The 3rd Brigade was the covering force for the ANZAC landing on 25 April 1915 and so was the first ashore at around 4:30 am. Ten days after the landing, a company from the 11th Battalion mounted the AIF’s first raid of the war against Turkish positions at Gaba Tepe. Subsequently, the battalion was heavily involved in defending the front line of the Anzac beachhead. In August, it made preparatory attacks at the southern end of the Anzac position before the battle of Lone Pine. The 11th Battalion continued to serve at Anzac until the evacuation in December.

After the withdrawal from Gallipoli, the 11th Battalion returned to Egypt. It was split to help form the 51st Battalion, and then brought up to strength with reinforcements.

In March 1916, the battalion sailed for France and the Western Front. From then until 1918, the battalion took part in bloody trench warfare. Its first major action in France was at Pozières in the Somme valley in July. After Pozières, the battalion manned trenches near Ypres in Flanders before returning to the Somme valley for winter.

In 1917 the battalion took part in the brief advance that followed the German Army’s retreat to the Hindenburg Line. During a German counterattack at Louverval, France, in April 1917 Lieutenant Charles Pope was killed performing the deed for which he would be awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross. The battalion subsequently returned to Belgium to participate in the offensive that became known as the Third Battle of Ypres.

The battalion helped to stop the German spring offensive in March and April 1918, and later that year participated in the great Allied offensive launched east of Amiens on 8 August 1918. This advance by British and empire troops was the greatest success in a single day on the Western Front, one that German General Erich Ludendorff described as “the black day of the German Army in this war”

The 11th Battalion continued operations until late September 1918. At 11 am on 11 November 1918, the guns fell silent. This armistice was followed by a peace treaty, signed at Versailles on 28 June 1919.

In November 1918 members of the AIF began to return to Australia. In February 1919, the 11th and 12th Battalions were amalgamated due to steadily declining numbers in both battalions. They remained so linked until their last members returned home for demobilisation and discharge.

http://www.anzacsite.gov.au/1landing/first-to-fall/

:salute:::salute::

 

[Rob]

Wow! These are terrific figures. Now I missed out on the Brits when they were released so I'm going to get these and then either keep them as Aussies or black up the boots and change patches. Fantastic releases in this first of four centenary years, thanks for these Andy they are going to go very nicely in a dio I'm working on right now!
Rob:salute::

 

[Jack]

Wow! These are terrific figures. Now I missed out on the Brits when they were released so I'm going to get these and then either keep them as Aussies or black up the boots and change patches. Fantastic releases in this first of four centenary years, thanks for these Andy they are going to go very nicely in a dio I'm working on right now!
Rob:salute::

Rob

If they are made to scale to represent members of the 1st AIF circa 1917 they might be too tall to represent an English battalion!

Jack

 

[Rob]

Rob

If they are made to scale to represent members of the 1st AIF circa 1917 they might be too tall to represent an English battalion!

Jack

I'll have to use artistic licence on that one mate:wink2:

Rob

Anyone know where I can get 1/30 scale army insignia decals?

 

[waynepoo]

In a word 'BRILLIANT' just what I wanted and glad to see more are to come, now Andy remember the artillery, general service wagons, trucks, nurses, doctors, behind the lines troops shaving, washing, eating etc & etc........:wink2::salute::
Wayne.

 

[waynepoo]

Gotta say that all of this lot are just, well...... Superb:salute::
Wayne.

 

[TomNT]

In a word 'BRILLIANT' just what I wanted and glad to see more are to come, now Andy remember the artillery, general service wagons, trucks, nurses, doctors, behind the lines troops shaving, washing, eating etc & etc........:wink2::salute::
Wayne.

Gotta say that all of this lot are just, well...... Superb:salute::
Wayne.

It looks like all that bugging you did mate has paid dividends! {sm3} Nice figures and I bet you are as "happy as Larry" tonight! :wink2:^&grin

Tom

 

[Rob]

I wonder how much John charges per figure for conversions?!:salute::

 

[waynepoo]

It looks like all that bugging you did mate has paid dividends! {sm3} Nice figures and I bet you are as "happy as Larry" tonight! :wink2:^&grin

Tom

Not just Larry mate..........................^&grin^&grin^&grin
Wayne.

 

[waynepoo]

I'll have to use artistic licence on that one mate:wink2:

Rob

Anyone know where I can get 1/30 scale army insignia decals?

Rob,
Take up a brush mate, all you need is a steady hand, good glasses and some paint...easy :rolleyes2:
Wayne.

 

[Rob]

Rob,
Take up a brush mate, all you need is a steady hand, good glasses and some paint...easy :rolleyes2:
Wayne.

Wayne, I'm fine doing boots mate, it's the patches I'm concerned about but will have a look and see if I could have a go.I don't have your modelling skills mate!:salute::

Rob

 

[Desertkiwi]

As a good mate of 'Larry', I'd just to remind Andy and the rest of the K&C team to please not forget the other half of the ANZAC's.....the Kiwi's:salute::

Would love to see at least one 'Kiwi' figure, as long as it's not a sheep.....^&grin

 

[Obee]

Rob,
Take up a brush mate, all you need is a steady hand, good glasses and some paint...easy :rolleyes2:
Wayne.

I've got all that,

so I'm ready to change units any time....... as long as they are from WA

John

 

[RAMC]

Morning all

I just love the kilted stretcher bearer. What an absolute gem of a figure.

As you may guess from my forum ID I have an interest in the medics. At times I have thought of just concentrating on the ambulances and associated figures. That never quite happened but even so several figures and the odd ambulance has reached my front lines.

Regards

Glynn (RAMC)

 

[PolarBear]

Gotta say that all of this lot are just, well...... Superb:salute::
Wayne.

Wayne

You and i have the same taste in subjects. Now we just need those Aussie nurses and medics:wink2:

Randy

 

[chalklands]

Gotta say that all of this lot are just, well...... Superb:salute::
Wayne.

I do like some of these. The others are just re-releases of FW40-48 though.

 

[Panzer ace]

The sitting wounded German is spectacular.