The name-ship for its class of battleships, KING GEORGE V is shown in battle against Japanese planes and ships off Okinawa, March 1945. The battleship launched in 1939, and in ten years earned a vast array of battle honors, including sinking of the Bismark on May 27, 1941, when she was flagship of the Home Fleet under Admiral Sir John Cronyn Tovey. She joined the Pacific Fleet in 1945 under Admiral Chester Nimitz for the Allied Invasion of Okinanwa.
Painted in the last year of World War II, Dawson produced fine detailed finished works with the grey tones of grisaille oil. While this one owns some colored oil pigments in accent, it is of such a somber nature to inspire remembrances of those who sacrificed for the benefit of others. The flurry of bombardment and gun smoke makes the moment immediate to the battle, and KING GEORGE V's participation in the victory absolutely vital.
Built under restrictive armament codes established after World War I, the battleship was actually outgunned against the German battleship BiSMARK and later, TIRPITZ in combat. Her measures were 745'L x 103'B x 35.5' D, and carried 10 14-inch guns, 16 5.2 inch and 64 2-pounders. She had twin aircraft geared turbines, pushing about 10,000 HP to her screw propellers.
