| Original caption: “Some men of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) in the Western Desert came under enemy fire in a most unexpected manner during a lull in the fighting. While examining a smoldering German tank that had been heavily strafed by our aircraft, ammunition bins inside the tank exploded and sent a shower of shot in all directions. As one of the diggers explained, “we went to earth in a hell of a hurry. Fortunately no one was hit.” The photograph was constructed by Frank Hurley and the account from one of the men in the group follows: “One morning during that period (November 10-20, 1942) a group of Headquarters Company, Div[ision] Sig[nal]s were in the vicinity of the unit’s orderly room when about six were detailed to collect their tin hats and board a truck for an outing. I was one of the group and shortly after we jumped off near a tank several miles to the rear of our location. On arrival we learned that the purpose of the outing was to get a photograph for the forthcoming issue of Ink Ink. So we took up prone positions as directed, an engineer rigged the charge and Captain Hurley took an excellent photograph.” This photograph appeared in Issue Number 3, Christmas 1942, edition of Ink Ink. The tank is a German Panzerkampfwagen III L (early model) and was in an infantry training area prior to the battle for Alamein.” Captain Frank Hurley (October 15, 1885 – January 16, 1962) was a famous Australian war photographer. He was the official photographer of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) in World War I after surviving Ernest Shackleton’s (February 15, 1874 – January 5, 1922) abortive Antarctic expedition. While he was known for working close to the front, he was also accused of submitting other photographers’ work as his own and using composited photographs, such as this view. He was explicitly forbidden to use composited photographs and refused to comply, stating that the technique was valid. Sir Henry S. Gullett (March 26, 1878 – August 13, 1940) blocked Hurley’s appointment to the Middle East Photographic Unit until he was killed in the Canberra Air Disaster. Director-General of Information Sir Keith Murdoch (August 12, 1885 – October 4, 1952) appointed Hurley Head of the Unit, angering many, who felt he was “difficult” and resistant to collaboration. Hurley, in turn, referred to his staff as “junior” and inexperienced despite their time in the field. Hurley’s penchant for staged, composited photographs did not sit well with combat veterans. When asked to take part in a re-enactment, 1 soldier told him to “go to hell.” Photographers of Number 2 Army Unit were aghast that Hurley continued to composite images. Damien Parer (August 1, 1912 – September 17, 1944) declared “I stage nothing” in opposition got Hurley’s composited photos. The photographers of Number 2 Army Unit also resented intrusions into their personal lives; Hurley demanded they adhere to curfew and other rules. Hurley continued to submit photos taken by other photographers as his own. He excluded the younger cameramen, including Parer, from choice combat assignments, infuriating them. They felt he clung to older techniques and equipment; while his technical skills were excellent, and his 1-on-1 demeanor warm, he didn’t understand modern filmmaking or photography and wanted propaganda, not documentary, media. Hurley concerned himself with the very important people visiting the front, while making composited and staged images. Hurley left the Australian Imperial Force Number 2 Army Unit to work for the British Government in 1943, as the North African war wound down. He traveled in Iran in 1944. In 1946, the British Government recruited Hurley to make “Cradle of Creation,” a documentary about their extension of Empire in Palestine. Returning to Australia in 1946, he found a very different nation, with many female correspondents working for national media. The last years of his life were spent traveling around the country making nature photos. | |
| Image Filename | wwii2067.jpg |
| Image Size | 63.12 KB |
| Image Dimensions | 638 x 464 |
| Photographer | Frank Hurley |
| Photographer Title | Number Two Army Film and Photography Unit |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | November 10, 1942 |
| Location | |
| City | El Alamein |
| State or Province | Matrouh |
| Country | Egypt |
| Archive | Australian War Memorial |
| Record Number | 13345 |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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