World War Models

Jeff Cotton

About the Modeller.

Jeff Cotton is an Anglican

minister, who began

creating these dioramas

after his wife suggested

he get a hobby. Some of

the soldiers were from his childhood and from there it

has grown into rather a large collection of soldiers

and buildings which he has painted and created, along

with a collection of memorabilia. Jeff’s grandfather

William Cotton served in WWI and was wounded in

August 1918 at Bapaume, France. His father Jack

Cotton also served in WW2, in Italy and the Pacific. Jeff

grew up hearing the stories that they both told about

their experiences. Jeff hopes that through these

models we will keep their memories alive and all

remember the sacrifices that were made for our

freedom. They are not exact replicas. These models

are in memory, not for perfection. He hopes that you

will enjoy the exhibition. Feel free to ask questions or

share your families stories.

Contact Jeff Cotton 027 364 7279

WWI

William Cotton

1895-1991

WW2 Jack Cotton

1923 - 2003

Memorabilia

From left to right 19-14-15 Mons Star, Service Medal, Victory Medal, Service & Con-duct Victory Medal, Service Medal awarded to William Cotton. Bottom row; German

uniform button, German Iron Cross and German Belt buckle “Gott mit Uns” God with us.

Left to right;

Pacific Star, NZ

War Service

Medal 1939-45,

NZ Service

Medal 1946-49.

(Occupied Japan) USA Marines Badge, Japanese Army

Medal, Japanese Collar Insignia.

Left to right NZ lemon Squeezer Hat, WWII American

Helmet, WWI English Helmet, WWII German Helmet.

WWI exploded gas cannis-

ter and gas mask.

ANZAC DAY The World Wars

in Miniature Displays & Memorabilia

25th April

11am-3pm Free Entry

All Souls Anglican Church 30 Church Lane

Merivale

coast, and the Orne River is a well-known feature of the city. Caen and the area south are relatively flat. Allied forces wanted to take the area quickly and to be able to base aircraft in France. British and American forces fought close-ly to each other; Caen was the first notable city to be taken by the allies after D- Day. It took six weeks and 3 attempts for the Allies to take Caen, and a further 10 Months to reach Berlin and win the war. About 15,000 civilians lost their lives at Caen.

WWI 1914- 1918. 1/72 scale

The Battle of Bapaume (France) was fought shortly after the beginning of the Allied 100-day push. Which ended the 1st World War. The battle took place from 21 Aug- 3 Sept 1918. Bapaume itself is

a small town in the North of France linked to Albert and Arras by rail. It had been the focus of the British forces on the opening day of the Battle of the Somme in 1916 but failed to reach it. The NZ division fought alongside the British, and on 27 Aug1918 NZ casualties were 500 killed and wound-ed in just one day. The land surrounding Bapaume is flat which made it easier to move both soldiers and machinery. On September 3rd after a German counterattack the Allies were able to secure the town, before continuing east. An Armistice was signed on 11-11-18 bringing the First World War to an end. There is very little trace of the Battle in the town today.

WW2 Europe. 1/32 Scale

The Solomon Islands campaign was a major campaign of the Pacific war in WW2. It began with the Japanese

landings, April 1942, the Japanese invaded and occupied the area. The Japanese quickly captured both the Solomon’s and New Guinea. The Objective of the operation for the Japanese was to extend their southern perimeter and to establish bases to enable future advances in the Pacific area and cutting Australia and NZ off from the Americans. Both NZ and Aus-tralia served in the Solomon Islands, and if the Solomon’s had been lost, so could have these two countries.

WW2 North Africa. 1/32 scale Battle of El Alamein. (23 Oct- 11 Nov1942) Italian forces went into Nth Africa in May 1940, due to Italy wanting to extend their empire. The

Italians made some progress but before long were in trouble against a minority British Army. German forces came to the Italian aid and were soon in control of the Nth African war, under General field Marshall Erwin Rommel. El Alamein was the turning point of the Nth African war. German/ Italian supply lines had become thin, (Hitler was more interested in the eastern front as he never intended to go to North Africa) and after ten days of intense fighting the Allies broke through German/Italian lines.

By June 1943 the Nth African campaign was over, and so was the German and Italian alliance, in October 1943 Italy declared war on Germany while the Germans occupied Italy. El Alamein itself was known for its railway station which still stands today but hardly ever used. The Battle it’s self never reached El Alamein.

WW2 The Pacific. 1/32 Scale

The Battle of Caen, France( June - Aug 1944) followed the Allied D-Day landings on 6 June. Caen is about 14km from the