Checkmate

Diorama titled Checkmate represents a scene from the Warsaw Uprising in 1944. It was built in 1:35 scale. The diorama had award at the 12th International Festival of Plastic Reduction Models Bytom 2014.

The Warsaw Uprising was prepared by the Home Army. It started on August 1, 1944. An uprising goal was to liberate Warsaw from the hands of the Germans before the Russians will do. Unfortunately, the plan failed. The city was destroyed and a great number of people died. The fights lasted 63 days. The act of surrender was signed on the night of October 2-3.

It is commonly believed that the uprising broke out on August 1 at 17.00. It was planned that way. However, not everything went according to plan, no surprise effect was achieved. Weapons from hidden magazines had to be delivered to the assembly point. The first shots were fired by a group transporting weapons in Żoliborz district. It took place around 2 p.m. The insurgents encountered a German patrol on their way from the warehouse to the place of the grouping. Thanks to the arrival of the insurance group, the insurgents were able to withdraw. The German soldiers also fled. Since then, the shots have been fired more and more often because there were more such situations.

The diorama scene may be a bit surprising. The truth is, the fighting didn't go on all the time. Archival photos show insurgents playing cards or participating in religious ceremonies. Written sources say that there was also cultural life. Among other things, recitations and concerts were organized.

Sources:

• http://ciekawostkihistoryczne.pl/2014/07/31/kiedy-tak-naprawde-wybuchlo-powstanie-warszawskie/2/
• https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powstanie_warszawskie
• http://www.1944.pl/galerie/fototeka/kategoria/101/pageNumber/8/

19 Mar 2014