The ambush at the bridge over the Gemencheh River, beyond Gemas, 14th January 1942

An ambush at the bridge over the Gemencheh River, beyond Gemas, in Malaya on 14 January 1942. In this ambush, which lasted 36 hours, over 1000 Japanese were killed and less than 50 Australians were killed and wounded. This action was the first time that the Australian soldiers fought the Japanese. In this work, Griffin has depicted war in all its brutality and futility. The wounded and dead Japanese, with the twisted metal of bicycles lying amongst them continue into the background and display the full horror of war.