Exhibition Theme - Battle

A rescue-ship in the Atlantic, March 1943

The view is from a ship's upper deck as it breaks off from a convoy to attempt a rescue. Plante's own description of a U-Boat attack on a tanker carrying a cargo of benzene fits this image: "The effect was complete and instantaneous - a great blossoming of flame as torpedo and benzene exploded together." There were no survivors from the incident and the desperation of the on-duty crew dressed in oilskins is evident.

Oil on canvas 45 x 60.3 cm
Painted at sea, 1943
Imperial War Museum ART LD 3055

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