My 2018 US Airborne medic inspiration, based on the mannequin at the 101st Airborne Museum, Bastogne, expresses the sadness and frustration of seeing lives lost during the Battle of the Bulge. The Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes region of Belgium proved to be the costliest ever fought by the U.S. Army, which suffered over 100,000 casualties.
The 326th Airborne Medical Company was the organic medical unit that supported the 101st Airborne Division during its operations in World War II. As the size and structure of the airborne division changed during the war, the airborne medical company grew from a strength of 20 officers and 195 enlisted men in September 1942 to 27 officers and 273 enlisted men in December 1944. The company was organized into a company headquarters, several service sections, and three platoons which carried out the same functions as the clearing and collecting companies in the medical battalion of an infantry division. Each platoon had litter bearer, ambulance, and treatment sections and supported one of the division's parachute or glider infantry regiments during operations.
On 18 December 1944, the Division was hastily transported to Bastogne, Belgium, to help stop the German Ardennes Offensive, " The Battle of the Bulge". On 19 December 1944, 18 officers and 125 Enlisted Men of the Division Clearing Company were captured by elements of the German 1st SS Panzer. Even with this loss the 326th provided medical support throughout the division's magnificent defense of Bastogne against four German Divisions and elements of three others.
The articulated figure has been refitted with an appropriate headsculpt. repainted in acrylic glazes. Every kitbashed item was heavily weathered in acrylic paint and paste. The ammo crates were scratchbuilt using balsa wood, painted in acrylic glazes, with hand-written stencilled text.
Bottom row, centre: My inspiration based on the mannequin at the 101st Airborne Museum, Bastogne. The 101st Airborne Museum in Bastogne is housed in the prestigious building of the former officers’ mess of the Belgian Army, built in 1936. The museum retraces the course of the Battle of the Bulge, fought between December 1944 and January 1945. Displayed are a collection of items from the battle, reconstructed scenes and mannequins.
Some work-in-progress images - actually these were 1/6th scale reworked and repainted hands and wrists. Articulated wrist joints were puttied up, sanded and repainted. The headsculpt was repainted in acrylic paint.