"I arose at 0500 hours on 8 February," noted Colville in his official monthly report, "and I watched medium guns firing the barrage that preceded Operation Veritable [part of the battle for Normandy]. I returned to this spot after breakfast, when it was light, and made studies. The rest of the day I spent painting Before Zero Hour, a nocturne."

Watercolour on paper 38.8 x 57.3 cm
Painted in 1945
Beaverbrook Collection of War Art
Canadian War Museum 19710261-2031

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