The story that inspired me to make the Gouvy dio:
The Quatermaster Railhead company was located at Gouvy in December 1944. They were responsible for supplying the troops at the front with, food, medicines, ammo, blood, etc..
Gouvy was ,for the allies, an important railway shunting yard. There was (and still is)also a road going through the village from the East to the West. When the Germans launched their Ardennes Offensive , only the Quartermasters were present in Gouvy. They were ordered to defend the village and the stocks of goods still located in the village. On the 19th of December two road blocks were established at the entrance and the exit of Gouvy. All available quatermaster company personnel , (between 30 and 40 men) were circled about the tiny hamlet in two man foxholes.
Questioning a group of Garman prisoners
( the scene of my dio) disclosed that strong units of a German Division had been charged with the capture of Gouvy.They were going to seek access to the railway line and the single road to the West. The Quatermasters repelled all German attacks for 3 days. On the 22nd of December , when all the supplies were transported to a safer place, they were ordered to evacuate the village.After the evacuation the village was occupied by a sizable force of German armor.
The Quatermasters of the Gouvy garrison continued to function as infantry men untill they were reliefed. They had earned the right to the name
:" THE FIGHTING QUATERMASTERS OF GOUVY"
Gouvy is also the place were the first V2 rocket was launched towards France . The 8th September 1944. The target of the missile was Paris .The flight of the rocket lasted for 4 minutes and hit "Maison Alfort" just before Paris.6 people were killed and 36 wounded.
Hope this info is of interest to all ww2 collectors and diorama builders.
guy:smile2:
