| Place | Asia: Borneo, Tarakan |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | AWM2022.223.1 |
| Collection type | Art |
| Measurement | Overall: 16 cm x 24 cm |
| Object type | Painting |
| Physical description | watercolour on paper |
| Maker |
Lindsay, Peter H |
| Place made | Borneo: Tarakan |
| Date made | 1945 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright unknown - orphaned work |
8am P Day Tarakan
Description
As part of Operation Oboe One, the first stage of the Borneo campaign, the landing at Tarakan occurred 1 May 1945 'P Day' by 9 Australian Division's 26 Brigade and 2/7 Field Regiment. The landing was originally fixed for 2 April but was postponed to the 1 May because of more favourable tides. On P Day, for an hour and a half, from first light, cruisers and destroyers poured shells into the beach area. From the land came flashes as rocket-firing gunboats ran close inshore to cover the assault craft, while four flights of heavy bombers dropped their bombs along the foreshore. The regiment fired more than 37,000 shells during the campaign.
The artist NX92672 Peter H Lindsay (1908–1998) was a Gunner of 2/7 Field Regiment. He was an Australian artist known for his watercolours. He continued his practice during the war, but was not appointed as an official war artist. Lindsay's field regiment participated in the Tarakan Landing 1 May 1945. This watercolour was gifted by Lindsay to SX27916 Captain Robert Charles Heddle 2/7 Field Regiment.
The Australian War Memorial holds an additional copy of this work ART90646, and a study drawing ART90653.