description
Object description
image: Following the D Day landings: men and women standing under a tree. The women are wearing aprons. Some of the men
have baggage at their feet; a large sack, a suitcase.
Label
On 6 June 1944, Gross accompanied the Royal Army Service Corps who were crossing the Channel to Normandy for D-Day.
Gross landed at Gold Beach near Bayeux with the 50th (Northumbrian) Division. Gold comprised of four beaches, running in a row from Le
Hamel to La Riviere: Jig Green, Jig Red, King Green and King Red. While waiting his turn to land, he made pencil sketches of troops
disembarking on the beaches. Two hours later, he jumped into the sea with his watercolours and paper held over his head.
Gross followed the 50th (Northumbrian) Division to Bayeux, where he drew the liberation of the town. He managed to acquire a revamped
German car from his friends in the Royal Army Service Corps, which allowed him to get close to the action, especially on the Normandy coast
and Cherbourg.
History note
War Artists Advisory Committee commission
Inscription
Anthony Gross 1944
