Auschwitz diorama : getting started/need feedback

Props for taking up something different. Too many times modelers are thwarted by political correct BS. However, a project of this scope is quite a massive undertaking. I'd suggest research....LOTS of it. Read books, look at movies and pictures to get a feel for the atmosphere you want to establish. After that, you'll need to spend a lot of time planing it all out on paper to make sure that it is balanced. A diorama of your size, considering the scale, allows for quite a bit to happen at once, so you'll want to make sure that it is as flowing as possible. Also, again considering the subject matter, careful research will be neccessary if authenticity is something you're striving for, and there are going to be a lot of little details that you'll need to fill.

Band of Brothers episode 9 "Why We Fight," is sooooo powerful. I don't know if I could watch that again. From what I understand it is very authentic.

I am surprised that more people havent attempted something like this. What a noble idea to commemorate your father as well. I look forward to seeing pictures.

QUOTE: Originally posted by frasercz P.S. I'm wasn't going to include the camp orchestra because a lot of people, including my father, never saw it. But if I can find 1/72 scale figures playing instruments, it would make a good, if bizarre, filler for some space near the prisoner barracks as the line of civilians walks by. It would also make a great reflection of the insanity of the place. I'll start looking for those figures. Thanks again, ummeli. Thaks to you all for your thoughtful replies.

we just finished reading Daniel's Story in English class in school. In the book, Daniel, his father, and little sister Erika were sent to Auschwitz. Daniel and his father were put to work in the camp, while his sister was put into the orchestra. the book says something about the orchestra being set slightly back from the main road that led form the barracks area to the "factory area" where Daniel and his father worked. People in the orchestra mostly played string instruments and "wind" instruments. well, hope this helps, show's i payed close attention in English class

Anthony

Your subject matter is one that has been on my mind for many years, though I've never really known how to approach it. One thought that occurs to me is that your portrayal and the ability for people to take it all in, might be enhanced by doing it as a series if vignettes in a larger scale rather than trying to do the whole immense thing in one small scale. That would also allow you to portray the subject at different points in time... just a thought thrown your way. Keep at it, your heart and head are in the right place. Chuck

I wanted to say good for you for taking this project on. While I dont want to say cant wait to see the photos, I cant wait to see the photos. I do agree with most of everything that has already been said in this thread. At times we modellers tend to forget the horrors of war or that which is inflicted upon the citizens of nations. Please keep us updated on your progress. I wish you well and I tip my hat to you!

frasercz

You are to be commended for your efforts and desire to want to do this. It is truly a subject that has affected so many, and will continue to for the rest of time. And it will be a fitting tribute to those you died there and those that survived having seen things no human should ever have to.

You have set a great task before yourself. Its final appearance will dictate its effectiveness in what your are attempting to accomplish. You have a personal interest in this project and you must remain objective. Someone suggested you speak with a museum or something of that nature… the Holocaust Museum in NYC for example. Get a true historian’s input. Like the weathering on a model… too much can detract from the overall impact. A simple, strong, single image may speak volumes more than many weaker ones and a simple approach may be desirable. Someone suggested you speak with a museum or something of that nature… the Holocaust Museum in NYC for example. Get a true historian input.

QUOTE: Originally posted by tubby4510 There is an episode of stephen spielbergs and tom hanks's " Band of brothers" that deals with the liberation a concentration camp. Ginven the way the series was shot with the colour desaturated, it is unnervingly real. Maybe some good resource material here. You are a brave person tackling this subject - good luck-

Another great resource movie is "Shindler's List". There are numerous views of Auschwitz in that movie. I was honored to have been able to meet one of 'Schindler's Jews' face to face. It happened just before that movie came out.

There is an episode of stephen spielbergs and tom hanks's " Band of brothers" that deals with the liberation a concentration camp. Ginven the way the series was shot with the colour desaturated, it is unnervingly real. Maybe some good resource material here.

You are a brave person tackling this subject - good luck-

WOW.... I got into this hobby to relax myself. The thought of ME doing a death camp I couldnt imagine! Even the thinking of how I would do it now makes me feel nauseated.

But I'M GLAD to hear that you have the fortitude (especially with a father that was a prisoner there) to do it!!! We all need people like you that have the guts to do the hard stuff and not try and lock it away and forget about it.

WHen I lived in Germany I toured Dachau...and those images will live with me forever. Espeically the areas around the camp where there were so many ash pits that NOTHING will grow.

God rest your fathers soul.... my hat is off to him!

I look forward to seeing your progress!

Sounds like an original Idea, and a difficult one at that, ummm, have fun!?

-Tigertankman

QUOTE: Originally posted by ummeli (2) I believe ajlafleche is correct about the camps being abandoned before the arrival of the Red Army.

He's right. When the Red Army arrived, the camps were all abandoned, and I beleive one of the crematoriums was destroyed. We watched a movie on it in social this year. (not that it matters) Many of the survivors were left to rot in their barraks and were to afraid to leave.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Duke Maddog I'll be looking forward to seeing those pics. Stay the course, stay strong, and may God guide your hand.

That says it right there! You are not only building a personal dio, but something that will speak deeply to many people. I was planning for some time to do a cattle car dio, but I haven't had the time. With dedication, any diorama can speak strongly.

Good luck, and show many progress pics.

One suggestion for standing the figures. Build the ground all beaten where you want the figures to stand. Then remove the tyrene sheets from the bottom of the figures. Next, use a small pinvisedrill and one of the smaller bits to drill a small hole in the heel of the figures you want to place. Then CA glue a short extension of copper or brass wire in the heel, leaving some sticking out so that the figures are able to be stuck into the ground. Be sure to make the wire long enough to hold, and if necessary, drill a hole in the Dio base to place the wire into. Apply CA glue to the wire before pushing into the base, making sure that there isn't too much on the wire pin so it doesn't leak out from under the boots.

I hope this idea helps you. I can't wait to see pics!

Dear Ajlafleche, you are absolutely right: when I did a dry-run setup, it looked ridiculous having a skirmish outside the gates. (O, but I spent so much time on that Tiger tank! And those Russian infantry figures from Preiser cost so much money!) When I took the skirmish away, the viewer's attention was immediately diverted back to the atrocity vignettes, which is the most important part. After I finished all the vignettes, that whipping table looks particularly horrifying. Can you imagine having your pants pulled down and butt whipped in front of everybody in the middle of a death camp? And solely to humiliate you? That vignette is almost as scary as the execution line. Incidentally, my sweet wife took a look at the Mengele "selektion" vignette and really was horrified and saddened for the people who had to suffer there.

I have a new question for everyone. Since I'm working in 1/72 scale, how do I make the ground appear like beaten earth, while giving something for my figures to stand on? I have glued my figures to sheet styrene, then I'm laying down glue and sprinkling "fine ballast" and "fine earth" on top, but it looks like they're standing in powder. How can I flatten this?

P.S. Wait till you see the pictures!

I agree with the above posters. Do not let the ones who are critical discourage you. You know why you are making this dio and that is all that matters.

Please keep us posted on your progress and let us know if we can be of any assistance to you.

What a fitting tribute indeed. I look forward to your progress on this. Please keep us up-to-date.

My goodness what guts you have.
First may i say God rest your fathers soul ,he's seen the horrors of this earth and is now in a better place.
Secondly i hope you have lots of experience with kit bashing and rebuilding figures,if not......WAIT .....remember Speilsberg had the playwrite for 16 years before he felt that he had enough experience to do the movie justice.Your subject is wonderful but have a clear idea of your finished model, skcetch it THEN START.
I love to make big dioramas and let me share with you some of my experiences. Sometimes if it's too big you lose the concentration of the viewer and making a series of smaller ones catches thier attention better . I once made one so big i couldn't get it out of the room and was then wondering why nobody appreciated all the detail,i was told it was overwhelming. I also enjoy building historical dioramas but keep in mind not everybody shares your enthusiasm and the people you least expect will tears you down. I am an Armenian living in Los Angeles California I Built a large Diorama of the Armenian Massacre that took place in 1915 by the Turks. 2000,000 Armenians were slautered and all this started on April 24th 1915 . In 1988 when i built this dio. it was brought to the attention of a group of Armenian art exibitors and they asked me to enter it in an art competion comemerating the massacre. Perfect you might think........i was disqualifed for being too violent and graphic.GO FIGURE any way long story short , dont be suprised if you get strong crititism for it. The important this is you do this for yourself and your dad.
My most recent Dio. was of the crucifiction of Jesus. Talk about not being popular. There you have it you have to do it for yourself. Do LOTS of research the more you do the more accurate it becomes.If i can help with any techniques Email me vicken67@yahoo.com .Goodluck can't wait to see it when you're done

In re-reading this thread, I really think you should reconsider the battle at the front. While one can accept dramatic license in the lliberation part, it would set a very dissonent tone to have all the activities you describe going on inside, while a battle raged just outside the gates. Mengele choosing additional victims while the place is being assaulted doesn't ring true. A figure as high ranking as that would have been kept away forman encroaching force, particularly an armored column. Punising an inmate while your facility is under fire is not good use of manpower.

it sounds like you re either doing a very BIG dio or a series of small vignettes. if u r doing a bunch of vignettes then, i would omit some of them, they might a bit too much when u already have a crematorium, and selection.
i made a small vignette of the entrance, with the train tracks, a couple barracks and gaurd towers out of balsa, i didnt spend much time on it (polish school project) but it was (i think) enough and gave the message.
but i see that what ur doing is very sentimental so godspeed, you can find a lot of birds eye view pictures off the internet, and i bet u can find many books with pictures that would help you.

Man, this is heavy stuff. I commend your effort and look forward to the finished product. My wife's great uncle was in Dachau. The internet makes the world a small place, don't you think?

I think this is a project well worth taking up. I will do one one day in 1/35 scale ( a smaller diorama than yours of course). Best of luck! God Bless!

Perry Lockhart
Shell Point

Thanks again! The HO scale structures mix well with HO scale figures, but I already spent a lot of money on 1/72 scale figures and vehicles. Together, their appearance is okay, but not fantastic. When I post the photos, I'll definitely need some feedback. Thanks for watching this forum!

I plan to make a long plaque with a detailed explanation of each vignette, complete with black silhouettes, museum-style, so there'll be no doubt of my intent to expose the Nazis for what they were: murdering scum. They killed my father in those camps. He survived another fifty years until he died in 2004, but he never escaped the constant nightmares, alcoholism, survivor guilt, and fear of starvation. When he died, I emptied out a three-month supply of food hoarded in his refrigerator. Plus I inherited all his guns, which he kept loaded in case they came to take him away again.

Thanks to all for reading and giving me feedback. When I get my photo-CD back from the developers, I will post pictures, assuming my e-machine computer can translate and send them.

most importantly, you should make a plaque to go in the front explaining it and how it should never reaccur, since you definitely don't want it to be misinterpreted. both my grandparents were survivors, so i feel connected to this too

First I would applaud your efforts and commend you for taking on the task. From what I have read, you seem to be looking for ideas on completing the various themes you have going on. I might recommend that if you are using HO scale structures that you try to stay to scale with figures and vehicles. There are a myriad of figures from Preiser in that scale and vehicles are no problem either. This will allow you to fit more on the platform size your have chosen too.

History has a bad habit of repeating its self, yes research any way you can, build the diorama, teach the younger generation that thing can happen again!
Your father will be proud of the work done, don't worry what or how it will come to you.

P.S. I'm wasn't going to include the camp orchestra because a lot of people, including my father, never saw it. But if I can find 1/72 scale figures playing instruments, it would make a good, if bizarre, filler for some space near the prisoner barracks as the line of civilians walks by. It would also make a great reflection of the insanity of the place. I'll start looking for those figures. Thanks again, ummeli. Thaks to you all for your thoughtful replies.

"Auschwitz Death Camp, Oswieciem, Poland, January 1945"

Thank you for your awesome ideas and feedback! I'm taking it all into deep consideration. Here's how my diorama is going so far:

It will be 60" long and 24" deep, with a photo-realistic, painted background showing the rest of the camp and the entrance to Auschwitz II-Birkenau.

Auschwitz 1 was originally a Polish military barracks from WWI. The Nazis converted it to a prison camp after their invasion of 1939. It had over twenty buildings, mostly two-story brick. Writer Ummeli is absolutely right in his description of the railroad platform. It's too big to make, as is all of Auschwitz. If I made the camp to scale, the people would be like ants. If I made it in 1/35, it would probably be fill my house. To give the proper respect without losing its story power, I'm making one SS administration building, the entrance building,two prisoner barracks, a crematorium with underground gas chamber and undressing room, and three guard towers. It will look like this:

From left to right, the SS administration building and entrance gate (with the famous "Arbeit Macht Frei" slogan on the iron gate), the triple fence, the first and second prisoner barracks, the crematorium and gas chamber, then the cremation pit and last guard tower.

The figures make up all the action. After the SS admin bldg. and triple-fence, a vignette of the kapos and SS disciplining a prisoner at the whipping table while other prisoners watch. Between the first and second prisoner barracks, a menacing but tastefully done vignette of an execution line, with SS making copious notes. After the second barracks, a vignette of a prisoner being forced to the gallows by a kapo. Under the crematorium is the undressing chamber, with civilians undressing, and an empty gas chamber. After this, a pile of dead bodies and the cremation pit, along with bodies being unloaded from a train's cattle car. Smoke is coming from the chimney of the crematorium. The buildings will be lighted from the inside, so you can see the SS offices, what the barracks looked like, and the crematorium ovens. The triple fence will also be lighted with HO scale street lights.

In the foreground is a long line of civilians walking somberly to the gas chambers, Dr. Josef Mengele making a "selektion," and some prisoners on a work detail.

I want to make a small vignette of Germans fighting the liberating Russians, even though, like you guys said, that never happened on death camp grounds. I want to show the Russian liberators fighting the Germans. My father was actually liberated by Americans after a death march into Germany. Will this work? I'm not sure, it might make the diorama too busy, or it may detract from the atrocities. I will include it in my photos, and, hopefully, you can help me make a decision as to its appropriateness.

To go with the diorama, I am writing up a scene-by-scene explanation for each vignette and structure to give the viewer a detailed explanation of what's going on. Like in a museum display, this will have each vignette numbered according to the action above.

How does this sound? Pictures will folow when I get them developed and can figure out how to send them.

Before you get too into construction,do some serious research.This type of project demands it.