Question about a pose

[Dan Morton]

I'm trying to figure out how I want to pose my next figure (after Tommy!). This will be a 120mm British Royal Marine in 1914 uniform. I'm considering having him crouched at the corner of an Antwerp building wall observing the enemy using a small hand mirror stuck on the end of his bayonet, ala Saving Private Ryan. Would this be believable and reasonable in this setting? The Germans would not be shown. No other figures. The corner of the wall and a bit of sidewalk would be the "groundwork". The wall & corner would end a couple of heads higher than the top of his cap. This is intended as a master for a kit.

 

[eissteban]

good idea Dan

 

[billyturnip]

It is a good idea Dan but I would only do it if I had documentary evidence that it was actually done, written or a photo. That's just me though, when I look at a figure from an historical period that I'm familiar with I think would they actually have done or worn that.
Sorry, but you asked

Roger

 

[Einion]

This will be a 120mm British Royal Marine in 1914 uniform. I'm considering having him crouched at the corner of an Antwerp building wall observing the enemy using a small hand mirror stuck on the end of his bayonet, ala Saving Private Ryan.

Did they have chewing gum back then?

Would this be believable and reasonable in this setting?

Even without a specific reference to prove it did occur my opinion would run to yes - it's a logical, even commonsense, use of a mirror. It's something that could have been independently thought of hundreds of times throughout the history of combat... I have no doubt that polished blades of swords or daggers were used to look over walls or around corners back in the days of mail and plate.

Einion

 

[Dan Morton]

Sebastien - Many thanks!

Roger - There were hand mirrors in some British issue field kit and they of course had bayonets. What I'd say was lacking was something sticky to hold the two together. Road tar? Wet horse dung? There was stuff about. What I'm thinking is that any reasonably smart RM who could hear bullets whipping past would look for some safe way to get eyes on his enemy. Later, of course, trench periscopes and mirrors and half a dozen other things were used to observe the enemy.

Einion - I agree. No - I can't cite a reference unfortunately, but it seems a reasonable thing to do in the circumstances.

All the best,
Dan

 

[billyturnip]

Ahah! Spotted the flaw in your plan "Reasonably smart RM".
Have you ever worked with them?

Roger (Heavily disguised ex matelot in case any Bootnecks are reading this)

 

[Dan Morton]

Roger - you may have me there. No - never met one. Let's imagine that he's the smartest RM that ever lived, OK?

I can already hear your riposte' -"No - that wouldn't be smart enough!" :O

All the best,
Dan

 

[vergilius]

Just one remark. I 've read a bit about those brits in Antwerp.
I don't think there was much fighting in the town itself. Antwerp was evacuated before the germans could reach it. I thought that the British fought more in the fields around Antwerp. So don't use real street houses. You could use of course a farm.