World War I Eastern Front (1 Viewer)

[jazzeum]

I'm asking this question of all the WWI matte manufacturers but wondered whether Jenkins has any plans to do the Eastern Front as the War started there and manufacturers tend to focus more on the Western Front. Something along the lines of the Battle of Tannenberg could be quite interesting.

Brad

 

[Combat]

I'm asking this question of all the WWI matte manufacturers but wondered whether Jenkins has any plans to do the Eastern Front as the War started there and manufacturers tend to focus more on the Western Front. Something along the lines of the Battle of Tannenberg could be quite interesting.

Brad

I don't believe John participates on the forum. But if you email him directly he usually answers.

 

[lancer]

John had indicated to me in the past that he was reluctant to get involved with the Eastern/Italian fronts. But things do change, so never say never. -- Al

 

[The Military Workshop]

I think knowledge of WWI Eastern front and Italian is very limited. Don't recall any movies on the subject.

I would even go so far as to suggest a Pershing v Pancho Villa series might be a more popular subject.

 

[jazzeum]

I agree it's a long shot but that TG will make Austrian troops is a good sign.

The US border wars would be of limited appeal (at least to me) but as a former doctoral student in Latin American History, the Mexican Revolution would be great but of dubious appeal to most.

 

[The Military Workshop]

I agree it's a long shot but that TG will make Austrian troops is a good sign.

The US border wars would be of limited appeal (at least to me) but as a former doctoral student in Latin American History, the Mexican Revolution would be great but of dubious appeal to most.

Brad,
I would have to disagree. I just don't see much collector interest in Austrian involvement let alone knowledge of what the Austrians participation was. I guess it is a matter of how much WWI Western front and Middle East/Gallipoli type figures the market can sustain over next few years.

However Mexicans in sombreros could also be used against current US cavalry from another brand. How about some wild west figures (think Magnificent Seven type) that could also be used against Mexicans. I have never seen a movie with WWI Austrians but sure seen many with Mexicans.

My favourite plastic Timpo figures were the Mexicans but somehow they always lost against much fewer cowboy figures.

Brett

 

[jazzeum]

Brett,

I don't want to engage in an extended debate with you about this but there is more to Eastern Front than Austria-Hungary. The Battle of Tannenberg in East Prussia between Germany and Russia was a key battle at the time because it threw the Russians into disorganization until 2015. It also brought Ludendorff to the fore.

Your customers are probably not that interested in that front but I wonder if German customers or the Russian market might be.

The chances are probably small that anything will be made as the Eastern Front tends to be a poor stepchild of the Western Front, whether WW I or WW II.

As for as Border Wars, that's a subject for the King & Country section, not here.

 

[Old Bill]

I'm asking this question of all the WWI matte manufacturers but wondered whether Jenkins has any plans to do the Eastern Front as the War started there and manufacturers tend to focus more on the Western Front. Something along the lines of the Battle of Tannenberg could be quite interesting.

Brad

Hi Brad, having followed this thread with great interest, I'd like to chip in with the following:

The Eastern Front - 1914 in particular - I would love to see German, Austro-Hungarian. Serbian and Russian etc. troops appearing at last. A vastly neglected Toy Soldier subject (s).
After all, this is where it literally all started. Max Hastings in his excellent book "CATASTOPHE Europe goes to war 1914" covers the opening months on the Eastern Front in a far greater detail
than most of the "1914" history books. The fighting here really was the start of WW1.

As for there being no movies on this period - ? We're talking history, not the entertainment business surely? Loads of good books out there!

By the way, did you know that John Jenkins was toting with him at the recent London December Show a very large Volume of "Austro-Hungarian Army Uniforms"

You never Know......................

Cheers, Roy

 

[graycap]

I've always had an interest in the Austro-Hungarian Army in WWI and like "Old Bill" found Max Hastings description of the opening fighting in 1914 on the Eastern front absolutely fascinating. I must confess that up until recently I've never ever expected to see the Emperor Franz-Joseph's troops marching across my display case. However hearing about John Jenkin's recent reading material has raised my hopes! John, in the past has shown a willingness to go where other Toy Soldier makers have been reluctant to go - War of 1812, Spanish Civil War - so who knows? And, if the Eastern Front 1914-17 is somewhat remote for Western collectors, don't forget that Austro-Hungarian forces fought British, French and American forces a lot nearer home than Gallipoli, in Italy in 1917-18.

 

[jazzeum]

Thanks for the posts Roy and Graycap. Good news indeed that John was carrying out that book. Hastings does have good coverage of the battle along the Drina.

 

[RISORGIMENTO]

......don't recall any movies on the subject....

I might suggest a book and two films based on this...

A Farewell to Arms is a novel written by Ernest Hemingway set during the Italian campaign of World War I. The book, published in 1929, is a first-person account of American Frederic Henry, serving as a Lieutenant ("Tenente") in the Ambulance Corps of the Italian Army. The title is taken from a poem by 16th-century English dramatist George Peele.

A Farewell to Arms is a 1932 American romance drama film directed by Frank Borzage and starring Helen Hayes, Gary Cooper and Adolphe Menjou. Based on the 1929 semi-autobiographical novel A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway, with a screenplay by Oliver H.P. Garrett and Benjamin Glazer, the film is about a romantic love affair between an American ambulance driver and an English nurse in Italy during World War I.

A Farewell to Arms is a 1957 American DeLuxe Color CinemaScope drama film directed by Charles Vidor, starring Rock Hudson and Jennifer Jones. The screenplay by Ben Hecht, based in part on a 1930 play by Laurence Stallings, was the second feature film adaptation of Ernest Hemingway's 1929 semi-autobiographical novel of the same name.
(from Wikipedia)

Carlo

 

[The Military Workshop]

......don't recall any movies on the subject....

I might suggest a book and two films based on this...

A Farewell to Arms is a novel written by Ernest Hemingway set during the Italian campaign of World War I. The book, published in 1929, is a first-person account of American Frederic Henry, serving as a Lieutenant ("Tenente") in the Ambulance Corps of the Italian Army. The title is taken from a poem by 16th-century English dramatist George Peele.

A Farewell to Arms is a 1932 American romance drama film directed by Frank Borzage and starring Helen Hayes, Gary Cooper and Adolphe Menjou. Based on the 1929 semi-autobiographical novel A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway, with a screenplay by Oliver H.P. Garrett and Benjamin Glazer, the film is about a romantic love affair between an American ambulance driver and an English nurse in Italy during World War I.

A Farewell to Arms is a 1957 American DeLuxe Color CinemaScope drama film directed by Charles Vidor, starring Rock Hudson and Jennifer Jones. The screenplay by Ben Hecht, based in part on a 1930 play by Laurence Stallings, was the second feature film adaptation of Ernest Hemingway's 1929 semi-autobiographical novel of the same name.
(from Wikipedia)

Carlo

Carlo,
Thanks for that. Naturally heard of the book and film. Watched the film many years ago but had forgotten it was set in Italy in WW1. Will watch out for it next time on TV.
Brett