WW1 Mark IV tank models at the Hooge Crater Museum

In World War I, the area around Hooge on Bellewaerde Ridge, about 2.5 mi (4 km) east of Ypres in Flanders in Belgium, was one of the eastern-most sectors of the Ypres Salient and was the site of much fighting between German and Allied forces. The Mark IV was a British tank of the First World War. Introduced in 1917, it benefited from significant developments of the Mark I tank (the intervening designs being small batches used for training). The main improvements were in armour, the re-siting of the fuel tank and ease of transport. A total of 1,220 Mk IV were built: 420 "Males", 595 "Females" and 205 Tank Tenders (unarmed vehicles used to carry supplies), which made it the most numerous British tank of the war.

The Swoppets (Britains) Catalog (60s UK).

The Swoppets range of 1:32 plastic figures with interchangeable parts appeared in 1958, originally as a range of "cowboy" figures, which were later joined by a group of "indians" (i.e. Native Americans), and then Fifteenth Century Knights in armour, and British Infantry. Most of the figures were produced by Britains Ltd., and designed by Roy Selwyn-Smith, a highly-respected sculptor very experienced in designing for plastic who had been designing for Herald Miniatures until Britains took over the company. According to James Opie's book on toy soldiers (2016), "... the Swoppets were without doubt the best looking movable part figures ever produced".

Demonstration of the Britains Swoppets figures, with animated display

Please use the link below to download the catalog:

Good morning, with Nestor Makhno and Anarcho-communism !

Nestor Makhno (7 November [O.S. 26 October] 1888 – July 25, 1934),commonly known as bat'ko Makhno ( "Father Makhno"),was a Ukrainian anarcho-communist revolutionary and the commander of an independent anarchist army in Ukraine in 1917–22. This Makhno army anarchist soldiers are produced by Engineer Basevich.

Timpo Toys Catalog 1971 England

Timpo Toys Ltd. was an English toy company created in 1938 by Salomon "Sally" Gawrylovitz (born in Frankfurt 1907, died September 28, 2000 in Zug, Switzerland), also known as Ally Gee. Gawrylovitz started as Toy Importers Company known as TIMPO in 1938. The company manufactured various toys out of wood, bakelite and composition until the end of World War II. Following the war, Timpo made hollowcast metal toy soldiers; with soldiers manufactured in plastic from 1954.The firm ceased operations in 1978.

 Please use the link below to download the Timpo Toys pdf catalog :

It's Friday tomorrow ...

It's Friday tomorrow ...Durso soldiers (Belgium 30s).

Domage & Cie metal soldier catalog for Tobler chocolates

D. C. (Domage & Cie) metal soldier 45 mm catalog (France 30s)  for Tobler chocolates

Please use the link below to download the catalog in pdf format:

Visiting the Hill 62( Ypres, Belgium) : (Part 2) - Elastolin and Durso soldiers

Visiting the Hill 62 (Part 2) - Elastolin and Durso soldiers

Visiting the Sanctuary Wood Museum (Hill 62) with Durso soldiers

The Battle of Mont Sorrel (Battle of Mount Sorrel, Battle of Hill 62) was a local operation in World War I by three divisions of the British Second Army and three divisions of the 4th Army in the Ypres Salient, near Ypres, Belgium, from 2 to 13 June 1916. To divert British resources from the build-up being observed on the Somme, the XIII (Royal Württemberg) Corps and the 117th Infantry Division attacked an arc of high ground positions, defended by the Canadian Corps. The German forces captured the heights at Mount Sorrel and Tor Top, before entrenching on the far slope of the ridge. Following a number of attacks and counterattacks, two divisions of the Canadian Corps, supported by the 20th Light Division and Second Army siege and howitzer battery groups, recaptured the majority of their former positions. I made some photos of Durso soldiers from my collection.

Good morning from Kremlin...

Moscow. Kremlin . Durso toy soldiers (Belgium 40s).

War Game (2002) by Dave Unwin - Exclusive Full Animated Film

Based on the picture book by Michael Foreman, WAR GAME tells the story of Will, Lacey and Freddie – three young Suffolk lads who leave their idyllic country lives to fight in the trenches of World War I. Surrounded by the chaos and confusion of war, they can only dream of their football team, their friends and the families they have left behind. On Christmas Day 1914 however, a football game is started between the Germans and the English. Scrambling onto No Man’s Land, the men come face to face with the enemy they have never seen and the true futility of their fight. For a brief moment - differences are forgotten, the men unite and the seeds of hope are planted. But joy has no place in war and the men are soon recalled to the trenches to continue the battle. From a football game in the fields of Suffolk to a football game in the heart of Flanders - WAR GAME follows the realisation of three young men’s ambitions to play for England and the ability of the human spirit to exist even in the harshest conditions. Featuring a powerful and moving sound track from the composer Julian Nott, and including Kate Winslet on the voice track. WAR GAME has 18 won awards worldwide including: The British Animation Awards; The Pulcinella Award, Italy; Best Television Special - Annecy International Animated Film Festival, France; BANFF International Television Festival, Canada; Tokyo Kinder Film Festival, Japan; Best Animation Prize, ANIMA, Argentina.

Bedtime stories ...

Bedtime stories ...

Jouets Standart Francais (JSF) - 1/32 Plastic Soldier catalog

Jouets Standart Francais (JSF) - 1/32 Plastic Soldier catalog (France 50s):

 Please use the link below to download the catalog in pdf format:

WW1 Yorkshire Trench - the In Flanders' Fields Museum (Ypres, Belgium)

'Yorkshire Trench' was the name given to a front line position dug by units of the 49th (West Riding) Division near the Yser canal at Boesinghe in 1915/16.The In Flanders' Fields Museum's exposition.

Hooge in World War I

In World War I, the area around Hooge on Bellewaerde Ridge, about 2.5 mi (4 km) east of Ypres in Flanders in Belgium, was one of the eastern-most sectors of the Ypres Salient and was the site of much fighting between German and Allied forces. Within a 0.62 mi (1 km) radius of Hooge are the sites of Château Wood, Sanctuary Wood, Railway Wood and Menin Road. There are four Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) war cemeteries in this area and several museums and memorials. Hill 62 and Mount Sorrel (Also Mont Sorrel) are further south, while the sites known to British and Commonwealth soldiers as Stirling Castle and Clapham Junction are further east.