INVASION FORCE

Description

Almost every major invasion that took place in Europe in World War II began with paratrooper drops, and in almost every case the C-47 was the aircraft that delivered these elite fighting troops. Few C-47 pilots had more combat experience than Sid Harwell, seen flying his Dakota in this typical action scene, dropping airborne troops into occupied Europe soon after D-Day. No matter what resistance he encountered, the good C-47 pilot put his aircraft right over the Dropping Zone, every time.

Each print is individually numbered and then signed by both the artist and by one of the most experienced C-47 pilots from the war:

Colonel SID HARWELL
Sid Harwell flew 45 combat missions piloting the C-47 Dakota with the 87th Troop Carrier Squadron, 438th Tactical Group.  On D-Day he flew the number two aircraft in the lead formation of the invasion, dropping elements of the 101st Airborne Division at 00.40 hours near St. Mere-Eglise.  He returned later in the day towing a CG-4 Waco glider to the landing zone behind Omaha beach.  He later saw combat in Southern France, Holland and during the Rhine Crossing.