Messines 1917

I'm contemplating the rather lengthy task of scanning my grandfather's Great War diaries. Here are a couple of pages detailing his experience (in Australian 10th Brigade HQ) of the opening days of the assault on Messines (diary entries for 7–8 June 1917).

Oblique view of Messines 1st May 1917

HJS personal diary, Messines, 6th to 7th June 1917

HJS personal diary, Messines, 7th to 8th June 1917

HJS personal diary, Messines, 8th to 9th June 1917

The 'Poilus' hit the painting table and plans for 1915-2015

Jumping the Bags has been silent over the festive season as turkey, Christmas pud and good cheer tempted me away from the painting table.

But, the excesses of Christmas have waned and old, fat b'stard's mind turns to wargaming again! 2015 will bring new challenges. I can't let the centenary of the Gallipoli landings escape without some effort to commemorate it on the tabletop. My attention will be well and truly fixed on the Western Front as well – so there is much to do!

I look to British Pathe for a little inspiration!
http://www.britishpathe.com/video/mobilisation-1

My resolution for the new year is to finish off my work on 1914 – A German Corps (80% done), BEF infantry division (80% done), and French infantry division (just started), and some cavalry for all (no progress beyond divisional assets)!

I am in the process of buying in a (Irregular Miniatures 6mm) Turkish infantry division for Gallipoli (and elsewhere) and they will be the next big project to be ready for 24th April. I'm going to allow myself the head start of using my 1914 BEF units for Gallipoli to buy some much needed time. Terrain is a whole other matter.

Something I hope to do early in 2015 is catch up on some 1914 gaming that I was too busy preparing for last year, to actually get onto. This is made very possible by the very welcome Christmas present from Shawn Taylor and Robert Dunlop with the release of their magnificent Great War Spearhead II scenario book, 'Marching to War'! Well done chaps!

Having just finished a brigade of BEF (they look exactly the same as the others already posted, so won't bother with more pics), I'm now turning my hand to the mighty poilu!

First, here are a couple of postcards my grandfather has in his Great war collection. I'm working on translating the text on the reverse of each postcard and will post at a later point.

 

This first card (above) has the date 4 September 1913 in the text, so I assume pre-war correspondence. The poilus have a certain carefree attitude when you look closely, perhaps this date explains why!

 In the second postcard (above) the grognards and their officers have more of an 'on campaign' look about their uniforms and equipment (and faces). It's interesting to note the difference in the condition of the uniforms and equipment of the subjects between the first and second pictures. I believe this picture was taken in Belgium – the author "Emile" writes of his journey to "X ... " and complains about how strong the light is there with 'les camarades belges.'

Here are a few early stands I've been experimenting with. I've discovered I've got the packs and equipment wrong so I am going back over them at the moment.

The 151ème Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne webpage is certainly coming in handy for French infantry uniform and equipment details. Well worth a visit.

Thanks for dropping in.

Cheers and a happy new year!