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Catalogue information
LastDodo number
6322283
Area
Drawings / paintings
Title
Is this what they meant?
Artist
Art object
Art Movement / style
Genre
Material
Technique used
Colouring
Dimensions
38 x 28 cm
Series / hero
Collection / set
Number
Addition to number
Year
1944
Country
Language
Details
Original pen and ink/pencil/crayon editorial cartoon drawing on art card, 1944, published in the Christian Science Monitor, shows German troops dropping their weapons and running away from ‘Southern France’ while a ‘Berlin broadcast’ issues the statement that ‘the invasion was no surprise and we had time to take appropriate measures’. The Allied invasion of southern France (Operation Dragoon) began on 15 August 1944 during World War II. This was similar to the larger Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of Normandy (D-Day which occurred over two months earlier). The landing caused the German Army Group G to eventually abandon southern France and, under constant Allied attack, to retreat to the Vosges Mountains. The suggestion that the German army fled in the face of the Allied attack is exaggerated, with stiff German resistance and counterattacks taking place in some areas. The German decision to withdraw from southern France was taken for strategic reasons and a large part of Army Group G lived to fight another day. This and the fact that the invasion was no great surprise gave some element of truth to the ‘Berlin broadcast’. Stamped on verso: “Used Aug 17 1944". Signed lower right, card size 38 x 28 cm, image size: 29 x 24.5 cm. Caption in blue crayon in upper border, in overall very good condition.