Place | Africa: North Africa, Libya |
---|---|
Accession Number | ART23893 |
Collection type | Art |
Measurement | Overall: 38.8 x 43.2 cm |
Object type | Painting |
Physical description | oil on canvas on hardboard |
Maker |
Dargie, William |
Place made | North Africa: Libya |
Date made | March 1942 |
Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain This item is in the Public Domain |
Senussi and wrecked Ju 87 Stuka
Description
A Senussi man with a donkey stands looking at a crashed German Junkers Ju 87 Stuka. The code 'T6' visible on the rear fuselage of the wrecked Stuka is a specific Luftwaffe unit code, for Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 'Immelmann'. This German unit was active in Libya and had substantial contact with Allied (and Australian) forces. Dargie noted, "The wandering Arab glances casually at the wrecked symbol of his erstwhile oppressors. Slung by his side he has an Italian satchel. The Senussii were decidedly pro-British; and there were several cases in which they aided the escape of our airmen who had been shot down behind the enemy lines, by disguising them as Arabs".