DescriptionPeter McIntyre, The breakthrough, Minqar Qa'im, 27-28 June 1942 (14447884384).jpg
Surrounded by fast-moving German forces and facing defeat, the encircled New Zealand Division launched a spectacular breakout at Minqar Qaim on the night of 27-28 June 1942.
"In the aftermath of Crusader, the New Zealanders licked their wounds back in Egypt" notes nzhistory.net.nz. "With 879 dead and 1700 wounded, the New Zealand Division had fought its most costly battle of the war. In February 1942, at the New Zealand government's insistence, they moved to Syria to recover." However when Rommel launched a fresh offensive in the Western Desert, the Division was recalled and moved to face the advancing forces. It was then the Division was surrounded.
That night, a plan was formulated to breakout of the encirclement. Led by the 4th Brigade, the New Zealand Division burst through the ring of German forces. In confused and ferocious close-quarter combat the New Zealanders bayoneted and shot their way through the enemy. Infantry was followed by hundreds of vehicles, driving at full pace with orders not to stop for anything. 'The breakthrough, Minqar Qa'im, 27-28 June 1942' by New Zealand war artist Peter McIntyre strikingly captures this event on canvas, and is part of the National Collection of War Art. This collection is under the care of Archives New Zealand and is comprised of about 1,500 artworks. It includes both official pieces of war art, by artists formally commissioned by the New Zealand government, and other unofficial art works that were acquired by or donated to the collection.
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Produced by New Zealand Micrographic Services Ltd.
April 2007
Equipment: Lanovia C550
Software Used: Adobe Photoshop CS2 9.0.
This File is the property of Archives New Zealand
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Produced by New Zealand Micrographic Services Ltd.