| Places | |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | ART22824 |
| Collection type | Art |
| Measurement | Overall: 60.6 x 50.8 cm |
| Object type | Painting |
| Physical description | oil on canvas (linen) |
| Maker |
Adams, Dennis |
| Place made | Australia: New South Wales, Sydney |
| Date made | 1943 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
Dive bombers attacking, fire from an Oerlikon
Description
One of the three Oerlikon 20mm guns of HMAS Wagga in action against Japanese bombers at Milne Bay during daylight raids.
In a letter to Lieutenant Colonel John Treloar - Officer in Charge of the Military History Section and administrator of the official war art scheme - dated 2nd August 1943, Dennis Adams wrote about this painting:
'It is painted in a staccato manner in an attempt to convey the feeling of vibration and heat and that sharp almost deafening repetition of fire.
As this type of anti-aircraft gun is mounted in practically all our ships I like to think of this painting as being dedicated to all the men who man them.'