Capturing Clervaux
A modeler's tale...
Claude Joachim, the author of this book is the man who has built an incredible 1/35 scale diorama that has been dropping jaws world-wide since he started posting occasional photos and updates regarding it on such websites as missing-lynx.
For those of you unfamiliar with this masterpiece, it has to do with a relatively small engagement between the US Army and the German Army during a much larger campaign, the Ardennes Offensive, more commonly known as the Battle of the Bulge. On December 16, 1944, when the Germans stormed back into Belgium and Luxembourg in an ultimately doomed attempt to regain initiative and split the Allied alliance, they were hampered by the need to keep their panzers on the road networks. Throughout Belgium and Luxembourg, small villages and towns sit astride these roads with their critical road junctions and more importantly, bridges. Clervaux is one such town, located in the north of Luxembourg.
Clervaux was dominated by a 12th century castle {or château, both titles seem to be used by differing sources} and this castle was the scene of a bitter fight between approximately 100 men of the US 110th Regimental combat team {along with some stray rear echelon types} and the onrushing German forces. This epic overnight fight of Dec 17 /18th, 1944 was sort of an ETO version of the Alamo, 1944 style.
A native of Luxembourg, Mr. Joachim decided to build a diorama on the battle for Clervaux. The entire diorama when completed will measure a whopping nearly 10 ft x 6.5 ft. This book concerns itself solely with the building of the castle.
Vital Statistics
Format - soft cover
Page Count - 80 pages
Size - 11.5" x 8.25"
Photos - hundreds, ranging from small insets to full page
Tables / Drawings / Diagrams - yes, mostly of castle layout and grounds
The book has your standard heavy card cover, with the pages inside being a fairly heavyweight glossy paper which does the pictures proud. The photos are generally bright and clear, with good color reproduction.
All text is in English
What's in the Book?
Mr. Joachim starts with a couple of pages of background / historical information, and then follows this with a couple of pages on how he planned this build. After that, he dives into the construction of the castle { and it's inhabitants} in a section by section approach. Along the way, Mr Joachim gives some valuable tips and pointers on methods and techniques he used. These tips and pointers are supported with well done photographs so that reader knows exactly what the author is talking about.
Here are just some of the construction topics covered in this book:
- the use and construction of a Styrodur {styrofoam sheet} mock up to assist in planning the project
- the use of LEDs for lighting, particularly in the castle cellars
- building the walls, construction and use of molds
- making window casings and roof beams
- making wooden floors and roofing planks
- fabricating and installing shingles / slate tiles on the roofs
- scratch furniture making in 1/35
- window glazing and damage simulation
- realistic rubble
- pavement
- various figure work and modifications {there are 60 figures in the castle section}
- vines, ivy and various natural scenery
- my personal favorite, so how do you make a 1/35 scale billiard ball?
Conclusion
As mentioned above, the author does a really good job of illustrating his techniques and construction methods with photos. The photos are clear and bright, and generally of adequate size for easy viewing of details. Mr. Joachim thoughtfully includes a selection of historical comparison photos throughout the book. Diorama builders, military history buffs and those with an interest in the Battle of the Bulge will find this book very much to their liking.
Pros - This book is simply loaded with great ideas and methods for diorama builders, all illustrated very well in photographs. Clear photos, concise text. The inclusion of a little historical background and period photos is a nice touch.
Cons- none
or
Highly Recommended!
Thanks to Claude Joachim for the review sample
Reviewed by Chuck Aleshire - AMPS Chicagoland
References used:
Battle of the Bulge Then and Now, After the Battle Publications, Pallud, ISBN 0-900913-36-3
A Time for Trumpets, HarperCollins Publishers, MacDonald, ISBN 0-688-15157-4