[WWI] Clay kicker diorama photos

[Edward Swaim]

Tom: As Warren explained, the "clay kicking" is being done by the figure seated reclining on the board wedged in the tunnel. At that angle, he is able to dig into the face of the tunnel as if he were on the surface digging into the ground. The technique was developed in England, where some of the clay was of the same type found in Flanders. There's an excellent book on the subject, "Beneath Flanders Fields," that came out within the last couple of years. I had read about clay kickers, but, until I found that book, I could not figure out from written descriptions what they would have looked like. 
 
That book is incredible. It has many modern, color photos of tunnels and dugouts that are still in the ground more-or-less intact. 
 
Diego: I haven't splattered the figures with much clay, because I thought I might over do it! 
 
Edward Swaim
Little Rock, Arkansas