| Place | Africa: Egypt, Frontier, Sinai, Magdhaba |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | ART41046.003 |
| Collection type | Art |
| Object type | Diorama |
| Physical description | Background: oil on plasterboard |
| Location | Sinai & Palestine Gallery: Sinai & Palestine |
| Maker |
Bowles, Leslie McCubbin, Louis Frederick |
| Place made | Australia: Victoria, Melbourne |
| Date made | 1925-1927 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
Magdhaba:Plasterboard Backdrop
Description
The Camel Corps, which was formed in January 1916, and comprised former Australian infantrymen and light horse reinforcements as well as New Zealanders and British yeomanry, played a magnificent role in the desert operations. This diorama shows the charge of the 10th Light Horse Regiment. As all the available supplies of water were in the hands of the enemy, allied forces had to capture the wells or withdraw and relinquish the initiative. The light horse, however, saved the situation by galloping down the Turkish positions and winning the day.
The diorama was displayed in the inaugural exhibition of the Australian War Museum 1927 - 1928. The background of the diorama was repainted by George Browning in 1991.
As part of the 2014 FWW redevelopment, this Magdhaba backdrop now sits hidden behind a showcase (Main Bld: First World War Gallery: Western Front 1918: )