He is mixing the paint.

This section, and for the most parts its residents, were considered to be of higher status and moral character than persons from the backdam, the section farthest from the seaside and nearest to the community's farmland. In more general terms, the backdam was also the section of plantations where the slave quarters had been located, whereas the slave owner's and overseer's residences had been located in the front seaside section.

German armed forces surrendered unconditionally on May 7. Hostilities in Europe ended officially at midnight, May 8. 1945.

His arm got shot off in the war.