Japanese ship blasted out of the sea, Lae

The painting depicts a Japanese ship grounded a few miles outside Lae, New Guinea. The ship the 'Myoko Maru' (also called the 'Malahang wreck') was in direct line with the airstrip at Lae so Australian airmen used it as a landmark on their bombing runs. The Japanese placed some anti aircraft guns on board and shot down three aircraft before it was completely destroyed.

Sali Herman enlisted in the Army in 1941 and was assigned to the First Camouflage Section. He later became a sergeant with the 3rd Royal Australian Engineers Training Battalion at Kapooka. He was appointed an official war artist in 1945 and worked in the Pacific for five months, recording scenes in Lae, Torokina, Bougainville and Rabaul.