51st Highland Division, 1917

"Ladies from Hell"

1/6th Bn.

153rd Infantry Brigade

51st Highland Division

Blackwatch

Battle of Cambrai, 1917

November, 1917 was the beginning of the Battle of Cambrai. This was the 1st successful battle using both Tanks and Infantry at the same time. the 51st (Highland) Division was stalled at its first objective, Flesquières, and left the advances around it exposed. It is believed that the commander of the 51st, G.M. Harper, substituted his own tank drill for the standard one and that an excessive space between the tanks and the infantry contributed to the failure. Flesquières was also one of the strongest points in the German line and was flanked by other strong points. Its defenders under Major Krebs also acquitted themselves well against the tanks, engaging them aggressively. Almost forty tanks were knocked out by the Flesquières artillery, including sixteen by a single gun manned by a lone gunner.Despite this the Germans were forced to abandon Flesquières during the night.

This is a picture that I wanted to do of the soldier doing PT before finding out that he was getting ready for his first ever battle. I really did it so you could get a better look oat the 1908 pattern equipment and the buttons that were done for me by Francis Tavares of Battlefields.

This figure represents a new recruit on his way to the front for the 1st time. The figure is a DML figure with a repainted headsculpt and slightly shortened legs. This figure uses the DML "rubber legs" body from their N. Africa British figures. The headsculpt was stripped and repainted using pastels. The tunic and kilt are from the SST Blackwatch figure. The boots are NLM Japanese boots. The Enfield SMLE is from the SST Blackwatch figure also, it has been repainted and a new sling made for it. the haversack and entrenching tool are also from Sideshow.

The webbing and Large pack are my own creations, using the excellent tutorials done by Tony Barton.