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This image is so powerful to me. George Silk took a series of photo's in this vignette.WWII. New Guinea Campaign. Battle of Buna–Gona. 1 January 1943. Fighting during the final assault on Buna. Australian machine gunners in action around 5:30pm. (L-R) Corporal Charles Knight (KIA), Private John Senior behind the Vickers gun and Sergeant G.C. Lowe. Photo by George Silk. [AWM 014037]
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The Vickers was being used to strafe the tops of the coconut trees for snipers, one of which has just killed the 1st gunner, Corp Knight. Private Senior took over the gun, telling Silk to take cover as the sniper had just killed Knight. Senior in turn (the gunner in this image) was killed by the sniper just after this photo, pulled out of the way and another gunner stepping up to take over the gun.