Purchased by the Benton Museum of Art at Pomona College on August 12, 2020 from Edwynn Houk Gallery, New York.

Japanese Ammunition Goes Up In Smoke: While mopping up remaining Japanese in the Hollandia area in Dutch New Guinea, U.S. infantrymen who made the initial invasion landing pass a blazing enemy ammunition dump as they advance.

The Battle of Hollandia (code-named Operation Reckless) took place in Spring 1944 as part of the New Guinea Campaign. The time during which it took place was very tumultuous, so it was very difficult for the Allies to invade. They needed to recover from great losses in previous battles. The landings were undertaken simultaneously with the amphibious invasion of Aitape ("Operation Persecution") to the east. The battle was an unqualified success for U.S. forces. It resulted in a withdrawal by the Japanese to a new strategic defense line in the western part of New Guinea and their abandoning all positions in the eastern part of the island.

Ferrotyped prints are processed in such a way that they are shiny. The print has a sensitive surface, usually thinner, because it was put through a press while still wet.

On recto: Label in bottom right corner, "DISPATCH / PHOTO NEWS / SERVICE / INC. / NEW YORK".

On verso: Typewritten label attached in center, "NIP AMMUNITION GOES UP IN SMOKE / During the process of mopping up the remaining Japanese in the Hollandia, Dutch New / Guinea, area, the U.S. infantrymen who made the initial landing and invasion at this / point pass a blazing enemy ammunition dump as they advance. Produced Exclusively by Dispatch Photo News Service, New York City". Handwritten in graphite in top left corner, "DP-WW2-035".

Ferrotyped prints have a sensitive surface, usually shiny and thinner, because they are put through a press while still wet. Ferrotyping makes the surface of the photograph smoother. Light does not scatter as much on a smoother surface, so this increases contrast. That makes ferrotyped images better for press photography.

This object has the following keywords:

• Fires
• Hollandia
• Invasion of Hollandia
• Invasions
• Invasions
• Japan
• Ordinance Depots
• Soldiers
• U.S. Infantry
• World War II

This object is a member of the following portfolios: