RAAF Kittyhawk Squadron at Milne Bay, August-September 1942

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Accession Number ART27628
Collection type Art
Measurement Framed: 186.7 cm x 308.4 cm x 9 cm; Unframed: 154 cm x 275.3 cm
Object type Painting
Physical description oil on canvas
Maker Dargie, William
Place made Australia: Victoria, Melbourne
Date made 1969
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Copyright Item copyright: © Australian War Memorial
Creative Commons License This item is licensed under CC BY-NC
Description

Crew from the RAAF Kittyhawk Squadron at Milne Bay. Dargie consulted with men from 75 and 76 Squadrons to achieve the most accurate results for this battle recreation. In regard to the models he stated in a letter dated 20/6/1969 to the then Director of the Australian War Memorial, W. Lancaster: "The standing figure in the foreground is generally taken by aircrew members who have seen the picture, to be Squadron Leader Jackson, even though I felt it best slightly to generalise his features to avoid intruding an actual portrait into the picture. The seated figure alongside him was never meant by me to be anyone in particular, and in fact is purely a creation of my own imagination, but the same aircrew members are quite certain it is a likeness of an Intelligence Corporal who was well known to them in 75 Squadron. I don't think this matters, because it is pure fantasy."

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