The attack on Lone Pine was part of the August Offensive in the 1915 Gallipoli Campaign. Over 6th-9th August Australians took and held the Turkish position at Lone Pine in a diversion to tie down the Turks whilst larger forces attempted to take the high ground further north. Parts of the Turkish position had fully roofed trenches made from heavy timber, with firing slits at ground level. The roofing had to be clawed off to break in. The complex and confusing trench network then had to be held from Turkish counterattacks. Seven Victoria Crosses were given for the action, and over 2000 Australian casualties were sustained.
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| 'The taking of Lone Pine' by Fred Leist (1924) |
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| 'The Battle of Lone Pine' by Drew Harrison (2012) |
This 54mm figure is a Mike Broadbent sculpt for OzMade Figures which I painted years ago. I sculpted the recognition armbands (from Blu-Tac cured with superglue!) and added 2nd Battalion colour patches. This week I touched it up with a wash, repainted where the paint had chipped, and rebased it after vermin had got at the basing material(!). He's probably a bit more neatly dressed than he would have been- jacket buttoned up to the neck, puttees, trousers not shorts.
The following picture is of a forced-perspective diorama made in the 1920s and maintained on display at the Australian War Museum.
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| The master plan- "Lone Pine Maze" in the centre, main attack to the north. Note the scale. |
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| A rotated view of part of the Lone Pine complex. |
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| 2nd Battalion, AIF |
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| Gallipoli medallion |
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| Lone Pine Cemetery, Gallipoli |
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| Lest we forget. |
Postscript: Please check out 'Mustering the Troops', the superb diary of the collaboration between Sir Peter Jackson, the Perry twins, and New Zealand gamers, to commemorate the Battle for Chunuk Bair. Chunuk Bair was part of the 'main attack' for which Lone Pine was the feint.
PostPostscript: The Australian Army's School of Infantry is located at Lone Pine Barracks in Singleton, New South Wales, along with a superb museum open to the public.
Further information:
Australian War Memorial
Australian Army Infantry Museum
Pictures via Google Images
Good Post Mate,Good Post......
ReplyDeleteCheers
Col
Thanks, Col. All the best.
DeleteWell done. Good to remember the sacrifices made.
ReplyDeleteIt's a big day here in Australia today.
DeleteGreat posting. Thanks for mentioning our NZ Chunuk Bair diorama, too. Apt that you showed your 54mm Aussie, as we've been painting 5000 x 54mm Kiwis and Turks! Lone Pine, Chunuk Bair, The Nek, Suvla ... What terrible battles they were.
ReplyDeleteOne was fun, 5000 would be a struggle! I'd love to come across and see it some time.
DeleteI've been reading Les Carlyon's 'Gallipoli', tragic stuff.
Great post and great mini mate.
ReplyDeleteIt was weird to be away from home and not be part of the Centenary activities.
Lest We Forget
Did you get to commemorate with any Aussies?
DeleteYes, there is another here and together we ran a Dawn Service for about 100 people from around 3 different countries. They weren't so keen on the cold morning but liked the rum laced coffee bit afterwards!
DeleteGood stuff!
Delete