Across the water

[Wiking]

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Finished in 2020.
Started in summer 2019.

Half truck : IBG V3000SM with orange models 3,7 Flack.
Wagons: Preiser, Weathering factory, Schilling (I think), Germania, Hät.

Figure:
Zvezda, Stg`s Mess, Hunor, Pegasus, Germania figuren, Weathering factory, Hegemony, FPW figures, D-Day miniaturen, Linear-A, Microrealistixx, Preiser, Aries, CMK, MIG, Panzer vs Tanks, Northstar, Airfix,
Valdemar, Phersu, Speira, Accurate, Nikolai, Merten, Sciborminiatures, GEBO, Alexminiatures, Waterloo, Orion, El vijeo Dragon, Hagen, Esci.

The idea to build such a Dio is far over FIFTEEN Years. As some of the wagons and bits in my storage for that! I was waiting now over five years for the second Preiser refugee set that is still not available.
But be happy that Preiser offer us one very good option.

My intention was to make a longer refugee track. As the main part.
Right from the start it was very clear for me that my winter clothe walking figures are not enough.
So I cannibalise all figure sets I own.
Without mercy!
(Find suitable sitting civil people in winter clothes!)
Finally it is done. How good or bad.

That`s now up to you.

[C M Dodson]

Hello Mr Wiking.

Am I correct in thinking that your lovely work is a representation on the belated evacuation across the Frisches Haff prior to Operation Hannibal in 1945?

There is a lot of thought going on here with excellent compositions and modelling.

The lost teddy bear is an excellent touch, not sure about yellow snow circles!

Personally, a more subdued lighting might add a ‘feel’ of the horror of this event as it took place in the savage winter of 1944/45.

Incidentally, as a diver I was aware of this event due to the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff. However, I did not know that Operation Hannibal is the largest evacuation by sea in history and three times the size of Dunkirk.

Well done.

Best wishes,

Chris

[Mr. Andrea]

Supercool! Like it!

[Wiking]

Hello Mr C M Dodson.

Thank you for your nice answer.
Including some interesting things.

C M Dodson wrote:
Am I correct in thinking that your lovely work is a representation on the belated evacuation across the Frisches Haff ...

Yes, you are correct.
This was my intention.
Your mentioned Operation Hannibal is a good idea to the Dio.

And the yellow circles is -written- End Sieg (Endsieg), final victory.

[C M Dodson]

You are most welcome.

End Sieg!

That man needs to get a job as a positive thinking Guru.

He will make a fortune!

Best wishes,

Chris

[Wiking]

M C Dodson wrote:
Personally, a more subdued lighting might add ...

A few month ago I find on my computer some options to make a picture more horrible.
Now I try it.

But the very most suspect thing on my computer is the sticker out of the factory.
There is printed:



So some of the shelves in the supermarket are empty.
It is not allowed to travel across the border!
DDR 2 ?
And my computer is still ready for DDR 3 ?

[Susofrick]

I think this is the most depressing I have ever seen from you. And that latest picture doesn't make it less sad! But as usual you get the story across.

[C M Dodson]

That’s the spirit !

You can feel the cold.

That picture could have come straight from that nightmare trip in January.

Brilliant.

Best wishes,

Chris

[Hellboy]

Speechless! Fantastic! ... Scary! Horror! Wiking, you've brought a little piece of history to life. A bad time for many refugees. Almost a monument to these people ...
Lots of details, great characters, super scene and also a spark of humor! I love the ice cream cart (how fitting!) with the driver and his yellow armband including the three black dots! I hope he reaches his goal !!!

[Bluefalchion]

What a clear picture of the ultimate folly of Hitler's grandest plans. Excellent dio and once again you tell the story in a way words never could.

There were some well publicized atrocities against the newish German settlers around that time. I recall one was a crucifiction to a barn door. Hitler and the German High Command were delighted because they thought it would cause the settlers to stay and fight with greater ferocity. Instead they did just what is depicted in Wiking's well-executed dio.

[Santi Pérez]

Wow, Wiking, another masterpiece diorama, like all of yours!

I love everything: the paintwork, the terrain, the great variety of different carriages used, the so complete photo report,..., but two things specially. The countless little details here and there (such as the teddy bear of the second picture, the woman's handbag from Chanel, the German soldier pissing and much more) and the amazing amount of different civilian figures you've used. I have always big problems to find them for my dioramas.

You have achieved a fantastic artwork. My very best congratulations, mate.

Best regards.

Santi.

[Bessiere]

A very somber and emotional piece you have artfully constructed Wiking. By coincidence I have been reading about the last months of the Eastern front and postwar Germany. People have forgotten the suffering of those not in the military, the mass rapes, murder and dislocation of entire ethnic populations. Your piece pays tribute to those swept up in the storm of war and what they endured. I love pieces like yours that help complete our knowledge. It's hard to not empathize with these poor souls, many of whom would never make it to safety and warmth. Excellent, excellent work.

[Wiking]

Thank you Santi Perez for the nice words.

Santi Perez wrote:
... amount of different civilian figures you've used. I have always big problems to find them for my dioramas.

Yes, you nail down my biggest problem.
So it happen that I do conscript soldiers for a civil duty !

[Marvin]

Astonishing work - my congratulations!

[Graeme]

Very good and very moving diorama.

A serious piece but still with some classic Wiking elements, I like the officer slipping on the ice as he gets out of the truck., nicely done.

The black and white picture looks excellent, I honestly thought that was a stock photo of the original event when I first saw it.

So some of the shelves in the supermarket are empty.
It is not allowed to travel across the border!
DDR 2 ?

I enjoyed that one, it's good to keep a sense of humour.

[lobo]

Wiking, Very original theme, and great execution.
Congratulations.

[Michael Robert]

Hi Wiking,

wonderful representation of a tough scene. The atmosphere is well kept and I can accept the irony you depict. Personally, I am still too emotionally bound to go into WWII. My parents were children in such trecks (but not this one over the ice). I know these stories. In France, they have similar from 1940 and many other countries have theirs, not least the Russians. Civilian population paying its high price for the folly of the warmongers.

Cheers up
Michael

[SamSagace]

Wiking, yes I post another comment for another master-work of you !
To be honest, I don't know what to say...
It's a master-work .. oh! I've said that before

Seriously (!) : it's a dramatic dio but strangely full of life.
er... what I just want to say is that it's a Master-Work . Nothing more.

[Peter]

This is a masterpiece indeed! Wonderfull work!