Dive bombers attacking, fire from an Oerlikon

Places
Accession Number ART22824
Collection type Art
Measurement Overall: 60.6 x 50.8 cm
Object type Painting
Physical description oil on canvas (linen)
Maker Adams, Dennis
Place made Australia: New South Wales, Sydney
Date made 1943
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Copyright

Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain

Public Domain Mark This item is in the Public Domain

Description

One of the three Oerlikon 20mm guns of HMAS Wagga in action against Japanese bombers at Milne Bay during daylight raids.

In a letter to Lieutenant Colonel John Treloar - Officer in Charge of the Military History Section and administrator of the official war art scheme - dated 2nd August 1943, Dennis Adams wrote about this painting:
'It is painted in a staccato manner in an attempt to convey the feeling of vibration and heat and that sharp almost deafening repetition of fire.
As this type of anti-aircraft gun is mounted in practically all our ships I like to think of this painting as being dedicated to all the men who man them.'