(Visual Research Project 2013 In association with the University of Northampton)
Following my participation in their “China Project” I was asked by University of Northampton to collaborate in a research project involving Second World War battlefield sites. Having made a brief expedition in 2003, I proposed the1944 D-Day Normandy Landings area as a suitable subject on which to base the project.
12.15pm 7 July 2003.
Remains of Mulberry Harbour Arromanches
Charcoal, ink. airbrush
9.30pm 10 July 2003.
Destroyed German Coastal defences. Gold Beach.
Charcoal, ink. airbrush
9.00pm 7 July 2003.
View of Arromanches with remains of Mulberry Harbour. Gouache
5.30pm 11 July 2003
Pegasus Bridge.
Benouville.
Charcoal, ink, .airbrush
The proposal was accepted and on 4th June 2013, with Paul Middleton, Executive Dean of the School of The Arts, University of Northampton, I left on a preliminary survey tour of the area organized by The War Research Society www.battlefieldtours.co.uk.
During this valuable familiarization exercise we took notes and photographs of various significant sites of action. We were also privileged to meet and interview two veterans (also on the tour) who had participated in the whole 1944 – 45 European operation from the first landings in Normandy right through to the crossing of the Rhine in the final stages of the War.
12.15pm, 5 June 3013. Point du Hoc, Normandy.
2.35pm, 5 June 2013. Paul Middleton photographing on Omaha Beach.
8.18pm, 6 June 2013. Pegasus Bridge, Benouville
2.57pm, 7 June 2013. D-Day Veterans. Tony Rampling (left) John Wotherspoon (right) In front of a preserved Tiger Tank at Vimoutiers.
Tony Rampling. Aged 89
61st Recce Regt. 50th Division.
Landed on Gold Beach
Saw action at:
Falaise Gap
Hill 112
Arnhem (at the dropping zones)
Ardennes, Battle of the Bulge.
After the 50th Division was disbanded due to casualties, joined the 44th Royal Tank Regiment.
Amongst first troops over the Rhine in a DKW.
Amongst first troops in Hamburg and Bremen.
John Wotherspoon. Aged 87
278th Field Company.
15th Scottish Infantry Division, Royal Engineers
Served August 1943 – September 1947
Landed on Juno Beach 20 June
Saw action at:
Operation Epsom
Hill 112
Falais
Crossing the Rhine
Kiel Canal, Lubeck, Wismar
Once again, I am amazed at the places and situations into which my humble box of paints has lead me and the remarkable human beings and unknown heroes it has enabled me to meet.
This preparatory visit will be followed by practical study expeditions in the immediate future, the results and conclusions of which will be presented in due course.