Editorial Cartoonists of the Atlanta Journal and Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC) :: MISCELLANEOUS - WW2

Three Soldiers Walking Along a Trail in New Guinea

Artist: UNKNOWN (Penciller)

2 Comments - 40 Views - 1 Like

Three Soldiers Walking Along a Trail in New Guinea Comic Art

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Three Soldiers Walking Along a Trail in New Guinea (REVERSE SIDE)

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Artwork Details

Title:	Three Soldiers Walking Along a Trail in New Guinea
Artist:	UNKNOWN (Penciller)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Sketch Card
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	40
Likes on CAF:	1 2
Comments:	2
Added to Site:	7/18/2025
Comic Art Archive:

Description

This original wash drawing, titled �Three Soldiers Walking Along a Trail in New Guinea,� was commissioned by United Motors on August 2, 1945, just days before Japan�s surrender on August 15, which marked the end of World War II in the Pacific. Executed in graphite and ink on a 21�″ � 13″ Whatman board (image size: 16″ � 7″), the illustration was professionally contracted for $200.00�equivalent to approximately $3,570 in today�s dollars�underscoring its value as a high-grade editorial commission.

The reverse bears a production stamp confirming client, subject, medium (�Wash�), and internal reference number A-28443. The artwork depicts three helmeted U.S. soldiers advancing through dense South Asian jungle terrain, rendered with anatomical precision and authentic late-war gear, including fatigue uniforms, dog tags, and netted M1 helmets. A distinctive handle over the rear soldier�s shoulder likely represents the carrying handle of a Browning M1919A6 light machine gun, reinforcing the squad�s combat-readiness.

A dark, curved mark near the front soldier�s ear appears to depict the liner strap loop or buckle of the M1 helmet suspension system�a detail often emphasized in editorial wash drawings to convey realism. Additionally, the front soldier�s jacket pocket reveals a small, partially obscured object: irregular in contour and shaded with deliberate contrast, it may represent a field ration, folded cloth, or personal keepsake. Whether trail sustenance or symbolic cargo, the pocket�s volume adds a subtle narrative depth�an editorial gesture that transforms utility into lived experience.

The front soldier�s utility belt includes what appear to be standard-issue ammo pouches, carefully rendered with dimensional shading and proportional accuracy. Their rectangular profile and side placement are consistent with M1 Garand clip containers used by infantry troops in 1945. The belt�s integration with the fatigue uniform�likely part of the M1943 combat pack system�lends both anatomical grounding and functional realism, reinforcing the drawing�s focus on mobility and preparedness. As in Brodie-era compositions, gear placement here serves dual purpose: as equipment and compositional weight.

Notably, the dog tag worn by the central figure shows a distinct dent, likely representing the notch used to align WWII dog tags in the Model 70 Addressograph machine, which allowed medics to imprint soldier information directly onto medical records. A marked vertical axis, placed 2″ from the right edge, anchors the central figure and leaves a deliberate 5″ margin on the left�suggesting intentional space for columnar text integration in a morale or commemorative publication. While no crop marks confirm mechanical layout, the board�s format and compositional strategy align with editorial workflows used in United Motors Service News and similar wartime bulletins.

Corrected inventory markings on the front (from �4578� to �14158�) further support its passage through production review. Though unsigned, the illustration exhibits stylistic parallels to the work of Howard Brodie and his studio-era peers, particularly in helmet detailing, gear accuracy, and compositional tension. The controlled rendering and editorial framing suggest a professional illustrator working in the final days of the war�commissioned in its closing hours, composed for publication, and preserved as a visual echo of a story that may never have reached print.

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About the Owner

	Alan E Premium Gallery Owner
Joined:	May 2025
Last Login:	September 2025
Country:	UNITED STATES
On CAF:	Artworks Commented On Liked Art Site Activity on CAF

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Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005

Posted on 7/18/2025

For these three, the war never really began nor ever ended.

Alan E
Member Since 2025

1 - Posted on 7/18/2025

Marcus Wai wrote:

For these three, the war never really began nor ever ended.

Interesting time-line... A frozen relic between war and peace.

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