picking a title for the combi box/360 WWI trench dio ....

Steven

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I need help picking a title for this dio.


For those of you not familiar with the build here’s some info and pics, (more can be found here:http://www.scale-models.co.uk/threa...long-winded-now-with-replacement-pics.30249/ )

The dio is combi boxed/360 dio, showing top and side wiev of a british reserve trench and a side wiev into a dug out, on the western front 1918. In the dug out. two officers are seen discussing details on a map.
Topside, british wounded . including a gas casualty, are returning from the front line. Also two german deserters/prisoners are being escorted to the rear by a guard. They are received by a trooper, doing one of the many daily tasks in the trenches during wet weather: emptying water from the trench. There’s also a small work station where troops are evidently replacing the budging and rotting wooden revetments with “Elephant Iron” (pics at the bottom).

The caption below the title is fixed: “British Reserve Trench, Western Front, late winter 1917/18”

I am going back and forth on the title however.

I have been able to narrow possible titles down to three options:

Early working title as I began on the dug out was "Planning at the Rear".
I like the sound of it – and conveys the story of the two officers planning yet another futile effort, but does not refer to the many scenes topside at all.

“After the Battle”

The wounded and Germans are clearly returning from the frontline (signs are showing the direction of the front and also showing direction a Casualty Clearing Station). Title also works well in setting the scene in the dug ut – officers could be assessing the battle, ground gained ( or lost) is being detailed on the maps.
There are however maybe too few wounded figures even though one of the germans is sporting a head wound and both the brits returning are wounded, I feel that the figures does not quite convey the title – perhaps if a british stretcher party was included, perhaps instead of the germans….Well, I don’t know - figures are fixed at this point – does the action support the title – don’t know…

“Upstairs/Downstairs”

Me trying at a play on words – the officers – traditionally belonging to the Landed Gentry, living life “upstairs” in their Estates back in Blighty, are here “downstairs”. At home, “downstairs” were where the servants (traditionally members of the Working Class) worked, but here members of “the ranks” (largely drawn from the working class) are here “upstairs”. Title underlines well the “two – level” effect of the sideview.
The pun might be lost on people not being aware of the above…

feel free to weigh in...

Pics:

QxfVdvf.jpg


dJc1e5r.jpg


i3pMBeQ.jpg

NgJ7WYT.jpg
 

stillp

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Superb dio Steven, and I prefer your first title "Planning at the Rear" .

Pete
 

Steven

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I hasten to add to the first post , that the dio will be at shows, - bearing that in mind maybe all the titles are too obscure for a casual spectator - oh well:smiling2:
 

stillp

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Well, "After the Battle" could equally be "Before the Battle", i.e. before the next one, and "Upstairs/Downstairs" seemed a bit politicosocial, which would I feel detract form the dio's content. Also the officers are hardly living in luxury as some did, in mansions far from the front lines.

Pete
 

Steven

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Point taken, also, there's little chance of me displaying this outside scandinavia, and the "Upstairs/Downstairs" - thing might be lost on Scandinavian audiences - but then again, they've all seen Downton Abbey :tongue-out3:
 
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I will comment further, when I've had more of a think about it. It would be nice to have a title which brings attention to both levels, as the dugout is probably what people will notice only after they study the ground level stories.
Andy
 
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Hi. You have the benefit of the stress that I'm under. Rather than think about penny pinching insurers, I put my mind to your title during the night!
As I said, I think the title should draw attention that it's a model of two parts. I have a few suggestions...

'The War Above and the War Below'/'Great War Above and Below' or something like that.
'Over the Top - Under the Earth'
Under your “British Reserve Trench, Western Front, late winter 1917/18” You could also put 'Officers plan the next offensive below , while the troops above are still sorting out the previous one.'

I'll continue to think it through and let's see what the rest of the gang think?
Andy
 

Steven

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Those are great suggestions - I like the " The Great War above and Below" . it has the benefit of being short - is is going on a plaque and space might be an issue. - cheers mate
 
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