This painting forms part of Norman Wilkinson's ‘The War at Sea’ series, depicting the work of the Royal Navy, Merchant Navy and RAF Coastal Command, of which 53 were exhibited under that title at the National Gallery in 1944, and the full set of 54 presented by him to the nation via the War Artists Advisory Committee (this item's WAAC number being LD 4294). For details of the slightly complex history of the acquisition see BHC1590, the start of the set by modern NMM catalogue number.

The strategically placed island of Malta (then base of the British Mediterranean Fleet), could only hold out if supplied by convoy. By August 1942, its situation was desperate, especially in terms of fuel. ‘Operation Pedestal’ was huge armed convoy sent to relieve it under heavy enemy attack. Many ships were lost but, although in near-sinking condition, the tanker 'Ohio' - the only one carrying vital kerosene and diesel oil - finally got through. It arrived on the Feast of the Assumption, which the Maltese people saw as a sign of divine intervention.