Hughes Field, Northern Territory

A mess tent at Hughes Field in the Northern Territory is depicted, with a serviceman shown relaxing with a newspaper in the lower right. The gum trees of the Australian bush are the main backdrop, with the distinctive green and grey of the trees providing a natural camouflage. The Northern Territory became a large base for campaigns in the Pacific during the Second World War. The strength of the RAAF in the area ensured that the 'threat' of a Japanese landing on mainland Australia was reduced.

Les Campbell enlisted into the RAAF in 1943 at the age of 18 as a leading aircraftman. Campbell was stationed in several RAAF stations around the Northern Territory and provided mechanical assistance in the fighting at Balikpapan, Borneo. During his service Campbell produced a number of watercolours depicting RAAF movements in the latter stages of the Second World War.