Shotover can be seen in the famous war painting by Paul Nash

In 1941 Paul Nash, painted this scene of wrecked warplanes, waiting to be turned back into new planes. This debris was collected and brought to the No 1 Metal Produce Recovery Depot, based at the Morris Motors Cowley plant. This painting is one of the most poignant created by Nash during the war period, symbolising the loss of life and tragedy of war.

Look carefully at the picture and you will see Shotover Hill in the distance. There don’t appear to be many trees on the hill. Possibly this was artistic licence, as Nash wanted to create a distinctive barren feel to the whole scene, emphasising the devastation symbolised by the wrecked planes.

The Cowley plant also manufactured de Havilland Tiger Moths during the war, these were used for training pilots and other specialist uses.

Paul Nash, Totes Meer. Painted 1941. Shotover Hill can be seen in the far distance