| Place | Oceania: New Guinea1, Huon Peninsula, Ramu River Finisterre Ranges Area, Finisterre Ranges |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | ART22163 |
| Collection type | Art |
| Measurement | Overall: 25.2 cm x 16.1 cm |
| Object type | Work on paper |
| Physical description | pen, ink and wash on paper |
| Maker |
Dargie, William |
| Place made | New Guinea1: Huon Peninsula, Ramu River Finisterre Ranges Area, Finisterre Ranges |
| Date made | March - April 1944 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
The Samurai sword
Description
An Australian soldier stands holding a Japanese samurai sword pointing into the ground. In the foreground of the sketch are bodies of dead Japanese soldiers. Dargie noted: "This is the most coveted prize a soldier can get from the enemy, not because of its souvenir value alone, but because it can usually be sold to an American for anything up to £150. But in this case, the sight of an Australian soldier holding the sword and turning to look into the distance, with the half-stripped bodies of two enemy dead below and in front of him, seemed to have something symbolic in it".