Friday, February 14, 2014

AFV Modeller Issue 75

Every now and again a model is released that catches the imagination and finds you stepping outside your normal area of interest to take up the challenge. Artillery pieces can be a little bland without a crew but add a stunning set of crew caught in the midst of a desperate engagement and you have the archetypal 'Boys Own Adventure' scenario and it is had not to be inspired. The design of this boxed set with gun, limber and four crew is based on the engagement at Néry in France on the morning of 1 st September 1914 where six guns of the Royal Horse Artillery along with 1 Cavalry Brigade were billeted overnight. The Battery had prepared for an early morning departure with their horses harnessed to their limbers when they came under a surprise attack by German Field Mounted Artillery with the initial German salvo landing amid the assembled battery and causing horrific casualties to both men and horses. Of the six guns several were put out of action in succession and only gun 'F' remained to fight off the German attack. The gun was manned by Sergeant Nelson who was joined by Captain Bradbury and Battery Sergeant Major Dorrell who had been wounded twice when he joined the gun crew.

No comments: