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UNKNOWN ARTIST 001
"Big Eyes"
12th Bomb Group, 82nd Bomb Squadron
North Africa
One of the first bomb groups in action in North Africa was the 12th "Earthquakers". This
medium bomb group had departed from the USA in July 1942 and arrived in Egypt in early August, based initially at Ismalia and Deversoir. Their first mission was flown on the night of 16th August to strike Mersa Matruh. The group went on to excel itself in support of British and Commonwealth troops fighting in the harsh and inhospitable desert terrain. Later the unit was transferred from the 9th Air Force to the 12th and continued its fight over Siciliy and the Italian battle lines. Later still, it moved to fight against the Japanese in the Pacific region.
Somehow, at some time, in spite of the unbelievably difficult conditions, an unknown artist apparently assigned to the 82nd Bomb Squadron painted several nose art images on the unit's B25C Mitchell medium bombers. His name is still unconfirmed but his style is easy to see. For lack of a name we have dubbed him "Big Eyes". His use of cartoon style images incorporating big eyes, often on a dog, was his distinctive trade mark. Sadly, he left no signature on his work.
Shown at left are several examples of the work this artist completed but there were many others. One name put forward for this artist is Lt Norman L Harms, a copilot, and if anyone can confirm this or can offer any information on the history of any of the planes and their crew, or the origin of the cartoon if it appeared in some newspaper or comic strip, I would greatly appreciate hearing from them. I would also love to see any further examples of this man's work.
© Ray Bowden
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