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Accession Number | ART03384 |
Collection type | Art |
Measurement | framed: 65 x 75.8 cm; unframed: 50.8 x 61.2 cm |
Object type | Painting |
Physical description | oil on wax-lined canvas |
Place made | France: Nord Pas de Calais, Nord, Strazeele |
Date made | 1918 |
Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain This item is in the Public Domain |
Daylight raid, France
Depicted here is a raiding party incident during occupation of Strazeele Front by Australian 1st Division at Strazeele, Lys Area, Western Front.
Winter was well and truly over when April arrived in 1918, and the Germans began a major attack that became known as the German Spring Offensive. Using troops brought to the west after the collapse of Russia, German High Command sought to win the war before the newly-arrived American forces could tip the balance in favour of France and Brtain. On the 14th of April, Australians in the trenches at Strazeele could see the Germans assembling and preparing for an attack. At 6:40 in the morning, the Germans began a heavy bombardment of the British and Commonwealth lines and waves of German infantry began advancing. The painting refers to the German offensive and the fighting which took place over the next 48 hours, in which the British-Australian front line fought vigorously and successfully resisted the attack.