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Products mentioned in this Article
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Flames Of War Vietnam ANZAC Preview
with James Brown
Normally we post spotlights for new products a week before they are released. We thought we should do a slightly early sneak peek for the Vietnam Anzac figures, since this Thursday happens to be Anzac Day.
The Vietnam Anzacs are personally significant to me because they are the first complete range of figures I have sculpted. As with any creative endeavour, there are some things about the figures I would probably change with hindsight, but I am quite happy with how they have turned out, and I can’t wait to see how they are received.
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Anzac Day is a national holiday of great
significance to Australians and New Zealanders. The name ANZAC – from
Australia and New Zealand Army Corps – commemorates the landings at
Gallipoli in 1915. The poor handling of the Gallipoli campaign by the
British leadership, and the ensuing high Anzac casualties, led
Australians and New Zealanders to question their ties to the Mother
Country for the first time. The ‘Anzac legend’ became a critical part of
the emerging national identities of both countries. On Thursday morning
thousands all over Australia and New Zealand will get out of bed early
to attend dawn services honouring veterans of all wars.
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As with many days of remembrance, Anzac Day has
not been without controversy over the years. It has often been used as
an occasion for protest against politically unpopular wars. Vietnam was
certainly no exception, and the period of the Vietnam War marked a
record low point in attendance at Anzac Day services in both countries.
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The public reaction faced by many returning
veterans of the Vietnam war reflected the widespread public backlash
against the conflict. Though this sad fact persisted for decades, in
recent years attitudes to Vietnam veterans have changed markedly. While
the war itself remains as controversial as ever, those who dutifully
answered their countries’ call to serve have increasingly been allowed
their deserved place in the popular consciousness alongside veterans of
less divisive conflicts. Their country asked them to fight, so they
fought, and the politics belong to a very different discussion.
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I personally feel that the growing relevance of
the Vietnam War as a period for wargaming reflects, in part, this
adjustment of attitudes to the conflict. And I think that is a very
healthy thing. I genuinely hope Flames Of War: Vietnam helps to inspire
people to learn more about the war and the men and women on both sides
who fought it.
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Historical wargames are not generally a solemn,
serious business - we play them for fun and entertainment. But
nevertheless, wargames do not trivialise or glorify war, and they can
help us to remember and reflect upon the experiences and sacrifices of
the real individuals who fought in very real and very serious conflicts.
I believe that days of remembrance – be it Anzac Day, Remembrance Day,
Memorial Day or any national equivalent – can help us to remember that
important facet of wargaming.
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We’ve all heard jokes about how Vietnam was the war with the best
soundtrack. In all seriousness, I’ll leave you with a moving and
evocative song which I listened to pretty often while I was researching
and working on the Anzac figures.
~ James. |
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The Australian M113 Tracks
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Below: The M113 Fire Support Vehicle.
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Below: The M113 with T50 turret.
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Below: The M113 with M74C turret.
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Last Updated On Wednesday, April 24, 2013 by Blake at Battlefront
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