WIP Bonus March Riots

[btavis]

My new project is on the Bonus March riots of 1933 that took place in Washington DC. The veterans of WWI were promised bonuses for service and since it was the Depression they wanted the government to pay them right away as many were out of work.

The scene will depict a riot in the Hooverville encampment...

... where the police and US Army fought with the Bonus Marchers. George Patton's tanks were employed and here is the US Army Type "A" version of the Renault FT-17 which was the tank used...

Altogether there will be about twenty figures which I will start sculpting over the next few months.

 

[jjgurk]

Looking forward to watching this one come to completion Bob
John

 

[housecarl]

What scale will this epic task be?
Carl.

 

[megroot]

Again History in Miniature.
I always like your diorama's Bob, this one will also be great.

Marc

 

[btavis]

What scale will this epic task be?
Carl.

To stay in keeping with the tank it will be 1/35.

 

[mil-mart]

Bob, really looking forward to following your progress on this diorama.

Cheers Ken

 

[Mike Stevens]

Will you be creating "Dugout Doug" and his famous calvary charge?

 

[btavis]

Will you be creating "Dugout Doug" and his famous calvary charge?

I doubt Mac got that close to the actual melee.

 

[John Bowery]

Bob,
Great start.
Cheers
John

 

[Dan Morton]

This will be really cool!

All the best,
Dan

 

[Jim]

Bob:

If your project of the Bonus March Riots is anything like 'Strange Fruit' (saw it in person at SCAHMS two years ago - knocked me out!) and the 'Zoot Suit Riots', it'll be dynamite!

Like the others, I'm really looking forward to seeing the progress on this one.

Jim

 

[btavis]

Thanks Jim, I will do my best.

 

[Jim Patrick]

Nice subject Bob! Even if it is a rather "dark spot" on our country's treatment of her veteran's. But important none the less. Another dark spot would be the riots in Maryland during 1860 or 1861 (I can't seem to remember exactly when) where the Union Garrision actually fired grape shot at their own citizens (granted they wanted to join Virginia). Important as it was that Maryland did not join the south, but firing grapeshot point blank at unarmed civillians?

I like the comment about "Dugout Doug". But I guess we should be respectful, I mean after all Congress did see fit to award him the Congressional Medal of Honor...our nation's highest award. And they say there's nothing political about this award? Off Topic- I was glad to see a review has been put under way of the "awarding" of this medal as the last LIVING recieptient was awarded durning Viet Nam. Kinda strange when one thinks of all the conflicts theis nation has been involved in and I am to be made to believe that no LIVING service member since Viet Nam has done anything galant enough to be awarded the CMH? Yeah.....right.

Back to the subject Bob. I'm looking forward to this. I know your subjects have been a bit "controversial" at times but, we as "miniature historians" should be made to know how this country has, and at times still is treating it's veterans. Men and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice to maintain this country's beliefs and uphold the Constitution.

Jim Patrick

 

[bonehead]

Iconoclasm in minaiature

Hey Bob,

Ah yes, ever the iconoclast, goring sacred cows and shining lights where many would prefer they not be shone - lest the myth of our "goodness" and moral superiority become tarnished by a little too much gritty truth.

Carry on my friend! I look forward to seeing this one completed.

Cheers!!

Mike

 

[btavis]

Thanks guys.

The Depression was bad news for just about everybody but it is a period that fascinates me deeply. I think there was a closeness of people back then that is lost today unfortunately. Sometimes deep tragedies bring people together like this.

One of the things that has to be remembered is that in the 1930's the Communists were trying desperately to foment insurrection and civil disobedience. Not that the Bonus Marchers were Communist inspired as they truly had personal needs but that was a concern of the government and the Commies, being the opportunists they were, took advantage of the situation. I think that played some part in the government wanting the whole thing to go away by force. Hoover misjudged the whole Depression and events like this were handled clumsily.

A lot of people in the government were for the Bonus Marchers and great debates were carried out for several years on what to do. But the government had so many problems to contend with at the same time that they made many mistakes.

The Bonus March was just one tragedy in our collective history. However, some good came out of it which was the G.I. Bill that helped so many of our parents and grandparents who participated in WWII.

 

[btavis]

Jim, if you have not already done so a great read on MacArthur is "American Caesar" by William Manchester. MacArthur, Patton, Robert E. Lee and U.S. Grant are on my short list of fascinating American military officers.

 

[Jim Patrick]

A good short list no doubt. I have'nt read that book but will look for it online. I guess I'm getting way off topic here and sort of hijacking your thread and I promise, after this, anymore off topic conversations about history and the characters involved, I will send you PM's. Again, sorry.

Grant, to me, was more of a "right person, right time" character in history. Intresting, no doubt. But just doesnt hold up to the examination of a Patton or Ole' Bobby Lee. Joshua L. Chamberlain was a fantastic figure in history. When this country needed a hero the most? Chamberlain, along with the 20th Maine stepped to the fore front. Lee is my favorite and not because I'm from Virginia. Actually I find his life after the Civil War much more interesting than the war time years.

Last thing, I have always been puzzled by the American worship of it's military officers. Why does the public find so many generals facinating? Far more interesting are the common soldiers, sailor, airmen and marines that have served this country.

Jim Patrick

 

[alexwencho]

thats going to be coo!

 

[btavis]

A good short list no doubt. I have'nt read that book but will look for it online. I guess I'm getting way off topic here and sort of hijacking your thread and I promise, after this, anymore off topic conversations about history and the characters involved, I will send you PM's. Again, sorry.

Grant, to me, was more of a "right person, right time" character in history. Intresting, no doubt. But just doesnt hold up to the examination of a Patton or Ole' Bobby Lee. Joshua L. Chamberlain was a fantastic figure in history. When this country needed a hero the most? Chamberlain, along with the 20th Maine stepped to the fore front. Lee is my favorite and not because I'm from Virginia. Actually I find his life after the Civil War much more interesting than the war time years.

Last thing, I have always been puzzled by the American worship of it's military officers. Why does the public find so many generals facinating? Far more interesting are the common soldiers, sailor, airmen and marines that have served this country.

Jim Patrick

No problem Jim. I think digression is sometimes more interesting.

Every culture needs its heroes and we have many besides military figures. Each of those I mentioned were unique in their own way and I wasn't trying to make an apples to apples comparison between them anymore than red is a better color than blue. It is only when it is used appropriately and the same thing as you stated about Grant - right man, right time. Patton was great but only when he was used correctly. If left to his own devices he may have run amok. He did several reckless things including trying to rescue his son in law from a German prison camp.

Indeed, heroes are where you find them. I think the emphasis on Generals is because they are so prominent but if you read about guys who won the CMofH they were for the most part anti-heroes or common men who rose to the occasion as circumstances emerged like with Chamberlain. He wasn't even a professional soldier but a school teacher but seized the moment above and beyond.

Lee was unique in many ways and I just finished reading Gone for Soldiers by Shaara in which Lee was featured prominently in the Mexico War.

Interestingly the guy who struck me the most from WWII was George Marshall. Somebody who did not get the accolades of a Patton, Bradley, Ike or MacArthur as he was behind the scenes. His sagacity as a strategist coupled with his brilliant organizational skills and ability to size people up correctly were of significant importance to the American war effort. Even after the war the Marshall plan is heralded as a brilliant plan to re-stabilize a decimated Europe.

And please, feel free to talk about history directly on this forum as others may also find these comments of interest.

 

[Jim Patrick]

Bob, I can only echo your comments. Especially those referring to George Marshall. Too often praise is heaped upon battlefield commanders with very little attention given to the "behind the scenes" commanders. It is doubtful that the conclusion that was to become of WWII would have even existed if not for Marshall's plans, guidance and leadership.

An additional point to Rober E. Lee would be for people to realize that while he, as a Colonel, was offered the rank of Major General by Lincoln with the inssistance of Winfield Scott. This is known clearly and the fact that he was to be second in command only to Scott is also known. But what many people don't realize is for a Colonel, to be promoted ahead of the generals who were currently serving, is highly unusual. It's also a statement of Lee's leadrship qualities that were noticed by Scott and President Lincoln. One could only wonder what would have happened had Lee not felt such an overwelming sense of loyalty to the sate of Virginia....

Good topics, I really enjoy this type of discussion.

Jim Patrick