WW2 / Cold war movies

Joy Division is a film that I stumbled across.  Another site made reference to the combat scenes and equally the cold war spy thriller aspect intrigued me.

The story is told via flashbacks, so is somewhat disjointed and I need to watch it again to fully understand some of the spy elements and the betrayal/release scene.   Late war German troops with Stg 44 assault rifles, Hitler Youth with Mp40's.  

There is a fan tribute here that will give you a taste...

My used copy cost me £2.98 and at that price a bargain I feel.   

Awayday - Battle of Britain Bunker

Last weekend (8/9th September) was the annual heritage open days weekend and I went up to London in part to see the Battle of Britain Bunker.  Opening for individuals as opposed to groups has always been a bit limited, but it was a bit of a shock to discover the 2 hour queue waiting time to get in.  Health and safety meant that only a limited number could be down it at any one time because of evacuation difficulties.

I see that website now has virtual tour.   Only one of its kind left - there were I think we were told five to cover the whole of the UK, and this was the one that directed the Battle of Britain.

Worth the wait ?  Yes, since  may never get the chance to get inside it again.

Same weekend saw me also get to a big medieval tithe barn - Harmandsworth.  Saturday saw me in Central London:

Wallace Collection for an exhibition on The Noble Art of the Sword: Fashion and Fencing in Renaissance Europe which finishes on the 16the unfortunatley and no photography.  Only a few rooms, with perhaps 20-30 swords, fencing books, clothes and some other accessories.  Rapier hilt fashioned to look like chains or ropes etc.  As a three musketeers fan though this was my sort of exhibition. 

Another one that finishes soon 930th September) is The Horse from Arabia to Royal Ascot at the British Museum which in the first part has some nicely displayed stuff from Ur and other biblical kingdoms on the development of the chariot.  This then moves through the muslim world to the thoroughbreds that are the backbone of English racing stock.  

The morning had seen a visit to some fairly average exhibitions at the National Army museum with lunch an (expensive - this is Sloane land - but nice) salt beef bagel from the farmers market, and the evening was rounded off with lashings of German beer and sausage.   

The Dutch in 1940

Every so often I will come across a topic about which I know very little and use the power of the internet to research the answers.

Some of January disappeared in one such item – namely the Dutch in 1940.  My Dutch chum Jan had talked of the Black devils and paratroops and Holland wasn’t the walkover its lack of mention or time would suggest.  My knowledge on this was very poor – at least with Belgium I knew about the landings on Eben-Emael and the deployment of Brandenburgers (and how wearing an enemy uniform over your own but removing it before firing was within ‘acceptable” rules of war, dating back to Napoleonic periods and ships flying various nations flags…) but Holland ?  Nada, except that the Dutch resistance HQ in London was at De Hems which is one of my favourite drinking holes in the capital. 

The internet of course is your friend here..

http://www.waroverholland.nl/

Black devils is a reference to Dutch Marines at Rotterdam:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netherlands_Marine_Corps

http://www.dutchmarines.com/History.html  

Re-enactor pictures here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/battle14/with/4609568630/

And was Holland the straw that broke the camel’s back ? 

http://www.waroverholland.nl/index.php?page=had-it-been-worth-the-sacrifices

Which then set me thinking about making Dutch Tram for use here, as well as in VBCW which has been on the back burner for a while.  

One ebay purchase later and we have some inspiration. 

I think if I take the roof off, remove the stairs, and give it a new roof and a repaint then it will do as a stand in for a single decker tram in 28mm scale.