This painting was produced by well-known Loyal Edmonton Regiment war artist Pte Freeman Lewis during the Second World War.  The painting depicts the Salso Valley, a decisive point in the Sicilian campaign in the summer of 1943.
While the bridge in the painting was still intact, many crossings required some creative engineering as most bridges had been blown up by the retreating Germans. Moreover, the enemy controlled the high-ground for most of the operation. In the end the Salso operations would cost 26 Edmonton’s killed and 67 wounded.  Mount Etna can be seen in the background.  This particular painting was made especially for Lt Col J. C. Jefferson in July of 1943.  Lewis would continue to produce paintings in Sicily and Italy throughout the Italian Campaign.  The original painting is in the LERMM collection.