Ww1 horror of the trenches

Hi all well some of you may know my son bought me some first ww model kits for my birthday then casually dropped into the conversation he would like them in a dio for his school (he's head of history) first problem, I'm ashamed to say I know next to nothing about ww1, second problem the models he bought are from different periods of said war so can't be used together, second problem solved I will do 3 or 4 vignettes showing the start to end of war.
After a bit of research I've made a start on the trench (this is for school 12 to 14 yr olds ) I want to depict how horrific it was but need advice on how far to go I intend to have a shell exploding in the trench so would it be OK to show limbs blown off.
Anyway here's my start, I realise I have to do the step up ledge and started to excavate the dugouts I realise I need to add the corrugated tin above the dugouts, also I need to find a way of making loads of 1/72 scale sandbags.

Nothing you do will be too far for modern kids of that age. The video games they play depict way more violence then anything you could possibly build into a war dio. I say go nuts Ken.

Sounds like a great plan Ken, good start so far.

A static display doesn't convey the noise, chaos and horror of that era. Perpetually wet, machine guns, shelling and gas attacks took a toll as did the flu that killed so many late in the war. My Mother used to talk of an Uncle Adolph and lung damage from the gas. Kids fighting and dying before they even knew of life. Do your best and the lesson will be clear. War is man made hell.

Sounds interesting Ken, Im in. 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/0/ww1/25401265

Herewith some details you may find of interest generally. I have the full field manual in PDF format if you want it PM me your email.

The "MANUAL OF FIELD WORKS (ALL ARMS) 1921" (London) says:
(Based on late WWI)

"CHAPTER II. TOOLS AND MATERIALS
7. Materials.
10. Sandbags.- The service pattern of sandbag measures 33 inches by 14 inches empty. It is made of canvas and issued in bales of 250, weighing 96lbs. Sandbags are used for� revetments, loopholes, spoil bags for mining or dug-out work.
11. Sacks.- Grain sacks or bags which may be available on service can be substituted for sandbags. They usually contain about 2 bushels ( 2 1/2 cubic feet) of grain - if used for field defences they should not be more than half filled, otherwise they are too heavy to handle easily. It is not necessary to close or tie up a sack if the mouth is carefully folded under it when it is being placed in position; the weight of the sack will prevent loss of earth."




Interesting tutorial (obviously work in your scale).

Interesting. Hoping to see the photos of the build!

Thanks for the offer Gary, pm on the way.

Not got it yet Ken, II'l look out for it.

I sent it about 630 will resend it now.

Sent Ken.

G

Hi all well i spoke to Mike and he said do what you like, he's shown them pics of the trenches that he thinks are far worse than anything I could portray so here is the next installment.




I pinched the idea of the explosion from Ian W
Obviously his was far better but in my defence I've only just started, there's no colour or smoke I've not attached bits of ladder or other debris (or body parts) 
I'm quite pleased with the outcome so far.

That really looks crackers Ken. Love it.

Cool !

Looks very nice....I have always thought lighting can add to a diorama but never thought of this before.

H,i all need to cool it down a bit, I think the explosion is still too hot and still have to add debris and stuff but pleased with progress so far. I'm actually quite enjoying this even though it was sort of forced on me and is not my normal genre, maybe I should do more stuff like this.

That explosion looks fantastic in the lit up pics.

As for the horror of war, I agree with the others in that the true nature of war is horrific - to properly convey that requires ripping open the envelope of political correctness and shoving the blood and pain and terror into the faces and minds of those who have never known it. War is horrible and to represent it as otherwise is a disservice to those who have fought and died for their causes. Kudo's to you for choosing this course

Hi all here is the next bit, I remodeled it a little bit, I stuck the smashed up ladder and other bits of debris, then I kept looking at it and thinking what is wrong with it? Then it dawned on me they were broken but unmarked, no scorching or burning, so I've fixed that but it still seems wrong, any suggestions.

Wow Ken that is simply amazing.

Coming along very nicely Ken, I think it will be a triumph!

Don't see how you can improve on what you have done ! Excellent, and mega COOL !!

Hi all here is another update.

The only thing missing as far as small details are the thousands of specks of stuff flying out amongst the larger debris and you can't be expected to put that kind of stuff into a static model. The result you've achieved thus far is stunning - far more realistic than I would have thought possible for a static diorama. In this time of CG-everything it's very refreshing to see some good ol' fashioned crafting going on

Hi all well i think this is finished (unless someone can tell me something is wrong with it) next one will be the start of the war, lots of mortar holes and mud. Will take some better pics in daylight.