David K Stone (Oregon, 1922 - 2001) "Japanese Land on New Guinea" Signed lower right. Original Oil painting on Masonite. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Republic of the Marshall Islands 29c Japanese Land on New Guinea 1942 stamps issued March 8, 1992. Seeking new territories to add to its East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere, Japan inched island by island toward its ultimate goal -- Australia. New Guinea, the second largest island in the world, loomed wide on Japan's covetous horizon as a possible launch site for its Australian campaign. On March 8, the invasion of New Guinea commenced. Amphibious landings on Huon Gulf's coastal airfields dispatched Japanese troops which moved toward Port Moresby, a southern outpost only 300 miles from Australia's northern coast. The Japanese met only token ground resistance but ultimately failed to achieve their goal. A bolstered Allied air and ground offensive ultimately ensured the reconquest of New Guinea and blocked Japan's territorial expansion in the South Pacific. Image Size: 15.5 x 24.75 in. Overall Size: 24 x 27 in. Unframed. (B13637)