Moonlight Sonata
6. Fighting fires through the night

oil on canvas, 61 cm x 51 cm, Iain White £385

Burning Factories

Coventry became a leading centre for munitions production during the Second World War, including the Coventry Ordnance Work which was responsible for around one quarter of all British aircraft produced during the war. It was an industrial epicentre, that when targeted, would deal a devastating blow to the war effort and munition levels. The city therefore provided the perfect target for the Germans. Seventy one factories were damaged, some very severely. (incl. Daimler, Morris, Riley, Rover, Rudge, Triumph, Herberts machine tools, Armstrong/Siddley, Courtaulds, General Electric, and the Gasworks).

Uden
 


Ernest Boye Uden (1911 to 1986)

Uden studied at Camberwell School of Art and Goldsmiths College and exhibited work at the Royal Academy. He joined the Auxiliary Fire Service in London during WWII, and was on duty during the air raids on the East End. He was part of the contingent wetting down St Paul’s Cathedral when it was surrounded by fire.
In 1940 he became an official war artist, attached to the National Fire Service. When Coventry was bombed on the night of 14 November 1940, Uden’s division was sent to the city to support the local fire services. This painting records his view of the three spires and the city centre ablaze as they arrived.

6. Fighting fires through the night

oil on canvas, 61 cm x 51 cm, Iain White £385

Burning Factories

Coventry became a leading centre for munitions production during the Second World War, including the Coventry Ordnance Work which was responsible for around one quarter of all British aircraft produced during the war. It was an industrial epicentre, that when targeted, would deal a devastating blow to the war effort and munition levels. The city therefore provided the perfect target for the Germans. Seventy one factories were damaged, some very severely. (incl. Daimler, Morris, Riley, Rover, Rudge, Triumph, Herberts machine tools, Armstrong/Siddley, Courtaulds, General Electric, and the Gasworks).

Uden
 


Ernest Boye Uden (1911 to 1986)

Uden studied at Camberwell School of Art and Goldsmiths College and exhibited work at the Royal Academy. He joined the Auxiliary Fire Service in London during WWII, and was on duty during the air raids on the East End. He was part of the contingent wetting down St Paul’s Cathedral when it was surrounded by fire.
In 1940 he became an official war artist, attached to the National Fire Service. When Coventry was bombed on the night of 14 November 1940, Uden’s division was sent to the city to support the local fire services. This painting records his view of the three spires and the city centre ablaze as they arrived.