Von Abt Gallery


		NEW - Tank Battle	January 2021
		WW2, and a German intercept station picks up news of a Soviet incursion across the boarder


		NEW - German Flak Emplacment	October 2020
		Somewhere is Europe replacement troops arrive to support a Flak emplacement


		NEW - Convoy Under Attack	September 2020
		Joint Spec Ops convoy in the Middle East comes under an attempted ambush as the convey escort Humvee comes under attack

		Class 52 troop loading	Jan 2020
		Celebrating the milestone that is Peter Shaw's 90th Birthday, this scene depicts a mass loading of german troops during WWII. This also kicks off our 2020 photoshoots with many more tom come!


		NEW - DORA- ALPEN FESTUNG - REMASTERED	July 2011
		It is April 1945 and rumours have spread that the SS were proposing to fight it out in a Fortress built deep into the Southern Alps. Gen. Eisenhower authorised Recon Units in force to penetrate to the South to cut off any such attempt. What was found were Strategic Reserves of heavy equipment set up by the German High Command earlier in the war. These stockpiles had maintenance crews but these were withdrawn to fill the shortage of manpower at the front, hence they fell into decline.

STALINGRAD - Part III

Christmas 2017

In the third of our shoots from the airfield inside the Stalingrad pocket. The last flight out has long gone and the survivors freezing and starving are taken by surprise by a patrol of Aerosans that sweep in.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all.

Rumble in the Jungle - Part II

Christmas 2015

Teams of elite US Special Forces on a mission in a South American jungle find More than they bargained for.

**VIEWING DISCRETION ADVISED. NOT SUITABLE FOR OUR YOUNGER AUDIENCE**

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all


		German SS scramble into action	October 2015
		Upon hearing of a large Aliied invasion over the skies in Holland , a resting German elitle division is scrambled into action.


		British Commandos sabotage	June 2015
		Britsh Commado sabotage group sent into France before D-Day to cause disruption to the Axis forces.


		Operation Varsity - The battle for Hamminkeln	March 2015
		March 1945, the largest single airborne drop in history is underway. Due to pilot error some of the US 17th Airborne are dropped on British glider drop zones where they rallied and aided the British 6th Airborne division eliminate German artillery batteries. Once the German troops in the area had been eliminated, a combined force of American and British airborne troops stormed Hamminkeln and secured the town.

A Rumble in the Jungle

Christmas 2014

Teams of elite US Special Forces on a mission in a South American jungle find More than they bargained for.

**VIEWING DISCRETION ADVISED. NOT SUITABLE FOR OUR YOUNGER AUDIENCE**

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all


		Gran Sasso Raid	November 2014
		This was one of the most daring raids in WW 2 and involved the landing of gliders on a Mountain to rescue Mussolini from captivity.


		Red Army Advance	October 2014
		As the war drags on the Red Army advance is overwhelming. Even so local counter attacks by the Germans still have some success and after one such event the remains of two units come upon each other in the woods by some disused huts.


		Normandy Counterattack PART3	June 6th 2014
		After the instense battle allied forces arrive sending the attaking forces into retreat

Normandy Counterattack PART2

March 2014

US Airborne forces face an overwhelming German counterattack trying to resecure the rail line.

Can they defend the town long enough until allied reinforcements arrive fro the beeches

Normandy Counterattack PART1

February 2014

it's Day + 4. Having secured a small strategic town in Normady France US Airborne forces are alerted to a German counter attack to resecure the rail line.

Their orders are to hold until beach-head re enforcements arrive


		RIVER FERRY CROSSING	January 2014


		VIETNAM PBR RIVER PATROL	August 2013


		CALENDAR 2013	April 2013


		FALLSCHIRMJAGER TO THE FRONT	December 2012
		At an Airfield somewhere in Southern Europe, Fallschirmjager are to be seen loading into JU 52's and DFS 230 Gliders for an airborne assault behind Allied Lines.


		Vomag Flak Site	October 2012
		An emergency Flak position is being set up to strengthen the defences of an important Factory which intelligence has indicated will be a target for Allied Bombers.


		Tank Advance	September 2012
		Troops provide close in protection against enemy tank hunting teams for a Panzer column passing through a destroyed town.


		Vietnam search and Patrol	July 2012
		Set during the backdrop of early 70's Vietnam, this squad has been tasked to clear up small pockets of VC along the river

COMPILATION

May 2012

This album is a selection of shots made up from some of the shoots from recent years, newly reworked and re-edited by John our Photoshop wizard.

These are currenlty featured in Peter's calender (hence why there are 12 shots!)


		STALINGRAD PART 2	November 2011
		This second series of pictures shows the activity happening on the other side of the Airstrip after the JU 52 had been unloaded. Whilst this is not the last plane out of Stalingrad it is getting near to the end and we have endeavoured to show the grim reality of men fighting for a place on this flight. A small number of disciplined troops are trying to maintain order, using extreme force if necessary. The flight control tower is still operating but under almost impossible conditions.


		K5 ( E ) RAILGUN	October 2011
		Our Diorama is based in North West Europe and shows the operation of a K5 Railgun of which over 25 were constructed during WW 2. The scene is about emergency Gun Drill for a new crew to replace losses suffered from a surprise Allied airstrike. The gun was caught outside its protective tunnel before the Diesel Loco, a WR 360 C 12 could pull it back to safety.


		DORA- ALPEN FESTUNG	July 2011
		It is April 1945 and rumours have spread that the SS were proposing to fight it out in a Fortress built deep into the Southern Alps. Gen. Eisenhower authorised Recon Units in force to penetrate to the South to cut off any such attempt. What was found were Strategic Reserves of heavy equipment set up by the German High Command earlier in the war. These stockpiles had maintenance crews but these were withdrawn to fill the shortage of manpower at the front, hence they fell into decline. Our Dio shows one such situation where in a desperate bid the Germans tried to re-activate with a scratch gun crew on DORA which had been positioned to control a major Alpine Pass. A large US Recon Unit forced the crew into a rapid evacuation and the subsequent occupation by troops under the command of Genaral Patton.


		Vietnam: SEALS Search & Rescue	July 2011
		On a river in Vietnam, USN Seals assemble a flotilla of boats comprising a PBR, Light Seal Support Craft and a Medium Seal Support Craft to undertake a rescue mission for a downed Pilot up river. With Air support the mission is successful and the Pilot is recovered from a backwater jungle enviroment.


		U Boat Pen	October 2010
		In a port on the Western Seaboard of occupied France a Schnellboot is leaving after emergency repairs for damage sustained in a gun fight with British Coastal Forces in the Bay of Biscay. Entering the Pens is a U Boat returning from the North Atlantic after a successful Patrol, indicated by the tonnage pennants flying from the Conning Tower. On the adjoining dockside is a 2 man torpedo of the Maiale class on loan from the Italian Navy for evaluation tests by the Kreigsmarine. A Bilsten crane is about to lower it into the water.


		Bridge Capture	July 2010
		Poor co-ordination resulted in parachute troops arriving late to capture bridge at the same time as the armour. The commander on the spot orders the advance across the undefended bridge.


		The Overnight Refuge Part 2	June 2010
		A US unit in hot pursuit takes advantage of the facilities when the previous occupiers left in a hurry.


		The Overnight Refuge	June 2010
		Fighting a defensive battle and retreating from the advancing Allies, a small German Kampfgruppe seeks overnight refuge in old Castle ruins.

		Ferry Evacuation	Feb 2010
		Ferry evaculation

		Scorched Earth	Nov 2009
		German troops retreating on the Russian Front carry out a policy of Scorched Earth as ordered by Von Manstein in an effort to slow down the advancing Russian army.

		D-day. Operation Tonga - taking of Peg Bridge	July 2009
		5th June 1944, the 1st strike on D-Day, Major John Howard from the Ox and Bucks light infantry leads a specially trained gliderborne unit to secure two canal bridges (codenamed Ham and Jam) over the River Orne to allow allied invasion forces a foothold in Normandy. Their mission was to secure and hold the bridges until relived by the invasion forces.

		Air lift to Stalingrad	July 2009
		Essential ammo drop and shipping out the wounded from the Eastern Front.

		Dora Construction images	July 2009

		D Day landings Utah Beach	June 2009
		A US forces land at Utah Beach.

		Normandy Street Fight & Ambush	June 2009
		As the allied advance moves in land in Normandy a column made up of mispalced airborne, rangers and infantry enters a small Normandy Town not expecting to find any resistance and runs into a German Ambush with a Tiger and an 88 in waiting resulting in a close fought street fight.

		Skirmish on the Eastern front	May 2009
		A small contingent of German Troops fight a rear guard action from a well prepared Dugout but all to no avail and are destroyed.

		V1 Launch	January 2009
		As the Allies advance across Northern Europe the permanent Launch sites are destroyed or captured. This leaves the Launch Crews no option but to resort to portable ski ramps in primative conditions in secluded forests to keep up the momentum of attack.

		V2 Unloading	October 2008
		This shows the unloading sequence from the improvised railhead to the awaiting Technical Troops for checking out all Systems. The Warhead which was carried seperately in a special container during transit is also mounted and then the Rocket was handed over to the Launch Crew.


		V2 Preparing to fire	January 2009
		Gale force winds have forced the Rocket Troop to take refuge in the Market Square of a North European Town in a desperate move to be in range of London before the Allies over run the launch site. Meanwhile a Lancaster bomber turned back from a raid on the Ruhr with engine problems receives an escort of fighters for the journey home. However,a target of opportunity comes in sight. Will the V2 be launched before it is destroyed?

		Firefight	January 2009
		It is D + 10 and misplaced American Airbourne have linked up with Allied ground forces clearing out stiff German resistance in yet another Town in the Carentan Peninsula in their endeavours to capture the Port of Cherbourg.

		Pointe du Hoc	October 2008
		The US Rangers scale the Cliffs from a seabourne landing and attack the German Gun Battery and Observation Post at the top of the Pointe du Hoc to prevent their use against the Landings at Omaha Beach.

		The Escape	October 2008
		A collection of mixed units from various Divisions desperately try to escape from the encircling Russians over the last remaining bridge to freedom.

		Class 52 and Morser Karl	April 2007
		The Class 52 Kondenslokmotiven & Morser Karl train was one of the mightiest forms of mechanised Axis weaponry. Our diorama features a 60' (18 meter) train built by Peter Shaw with night shots of the Karl Morser firing.

		Mörser Karl - Gerät 040 "Ziu"	March 2007
		The mighty 154 ton 60cm Mörser Karl - Gerät 040 "Ziu" - guaranteed to strike fear into the hearts of the enemy. Firing a massive 60 cm 2 ton shell up to 4 km, it was capable of piercing a 3 meter thick reinforced concrete bunker. This diorama sees one such beast, "Ziu", being prepared for a fire mission on the Eastern front.

		Zurück von der Front	February 2007
		A cold winter's morning. Tired and weary from long hard months on the front, a few soldiers stir themselves to watch the scene outside. A few guards on the ground keep a watchful eye on the troops loading supplies onto the train. A lucky few men enjoy a hot cup of Ersatz coffee to try and warm their freezing bones.

		Winter Defense	December 2006
		A cold winter evening on the Eastern front. As the light fails a shot rings out. Desperately the men of Kampfgruppe Saar run to their defensive positions. As the snow fall changes to sleet, the cold and tired troops fight to hold off another tide of Ivans.

		Winter March	October 2006
		The warm days of Autumn have passed. A troop of weary men from Kampfgruppe Saar are moving towards the front line, cursing the savage Russian winter weather. They pass a small team of fellow soldiers preparing a secondary defensive line.

		Typhoon Airstrike	October 2006
		The Germans learned the hard way just how destructive an air strike from a Rocket armed Hawker Typhoon could be, armed with four "60 lb" RP-3 rockets under each wing, they earned the suitable nickname "Rocketphoons". The Class 52 has suffered 3 direct strikes, one of which has knocked the train off it's tracks.

		Luftflotte von Abt	September 2006
		A busy airfield somewhere in Western Europe. Pilots get their daily briefing, whilst messengers deliver orders from HQ. All around the camp men go about their normal business, unaware of what lies ahead.

		Class 52 Locomotive	August 2006
		A German Class 52 locomotive stops briefly on it's journey eastwards to offload troops and supplies. A solder stumbles in the hot midday sun, and is caught by his compatriots. An Opel Blitz loaded with troops, prepares to drive off.

Siebel Ferry

July 2006

A small Siebel ferry carries it's valuable cargo across the Mediterranean. A few
crew and managed to escape wonder how different life will be once - if - they land safely in Italy.

Updated album 04/03/07

Machine Gun Team

May 2006

A two man MG42 team wait patiently for the enemy to show itself.

Updated album 10/03/07


		Maintenance Stop	April 2006
		Tiger 332 undergoes a much needed maintenance stop.Two members of the maintenance crew enjoy a short and well earned rest, whilst all around them others work. The Tiger crew undertakes the heavy task of cleaning the deadly 88.


		Tank Riders	March 2006
		A cold winter morning finds a troop of Panzer Grenadiers commandeering a ride on top of a war weary Panzer IV.


		8.8cm PaK 43/41	March 2006
		Under the watchful eye of their commander, men from Kampfgruppe von Abt position their PaK 43, ready to hold off the advancing enemy.

		Defence of the Motherland	March 2006
		A troop of young Soviet solders nervously await their first encounter with the invaders of their homeland. Under trained and poorly armed, their love for Mother Russia is their greatest weapon.

		Stuck in the Mud	February 2006
		A Panzer IV falls victim the the spring mud of the Eastern front. A team of Panzer Grenadiers work furiously to free the tank, watched by a passing infantry troop.

Destroyed Half Track

January 2006

A battalion of American troops, fresh off the beaches of Normandy, march past a destroyed French farm. A disabled German half track lies at the side of the road, reminding the young soldiers of why they are here.

Updated album 06/03/07


		Panzer IV	December 2005
		Accompanied by a few stragglers and an army medic, a Panzer makes it's way cautiously through a wood.

Upturned Tiger 1

December 2005

Caught on the open, this Tiger didn't stand a chance. Blown onto it's roof by a Russian airstrike, a medic attends to the injured crew.#656A4C

		Rail Crossing	November 2005
		With it's winter paint still visible, Tiger 301 continues it's long march Eastwards. Crossing a railway line the crew keeps an wary eye out for the enemy.

		Sd.Kfz.250/10	November 2005
		A small troop advances cautiously through a light wood.

		Radio Team	September 2005
		'All units, Condor! Repeat, 'All units Condor!' The code they had all been waiting for crackled in the radio operator's head phones. Orders were barked from the back of the half track. The infantry once again heaved up their burdens and advanced towards another attack.

		Mighty Maus	September 2005
		It's 1945. The German forces are down to their last. In a desperate attempt to halt the Red tide, staff at the Kummersdorf proving ground take an untested tank into combat - the mighty 188 ton type 205/2 Maus.

		Behind The Scenes
		Photographs from behind the scenes, stretching back to time immemorial. Well, 2004.