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 4303). For details of the slightly complex history of the acquisition see BHC1590, the start of the set by modern NMM catalogue number.

Two Vosper 70-foot MTBs are leaving an enemy vessel engulfed in flames and black smoke. These boats were known for being extremely fast. Depicting the foaming waves with his characteristically free handling of paint, Wilkinson has conveyed the sense of the speed at which they are moving away from their target. This is underlined by the enemy tracer fire pursuing them from off-right.