The bloody aftermath of the fighting at Post 11, Bardia, between its Italian defenders and members of the 2/6th Battalion. This post was the last to fall during the battle, but the incident depicted in this painting occurred early in the fight. Henry 'Jo' Gullet, who was wounded during this action and on whose account this image was based, recalled: I came to the trench where Brian Latham and his section had died. Brian lay on his back, just as he does in Ivor Hele's picture … It was getting light now. The trench was a shambles in the full meaning of the word … I still have the impression of bright fresh blood all over the dead and wounded. Maloney was wounded in the face and limping but still firing from the parapet. (Bardia [action leading to the fall of Post 11], by Ivor Hele, 1967, oil on canvas, 153 x 275cm, AWM ART27576)
Copyright expired - public domain