Description
Spitfires of 132 Squadron race towards the Front to give ground support to the advancing Allied forces following the breakout from the Normandy beaches, June 1944. Below, American armor pushes forward, to liberate yet another French village.
Wing Commander Geoffrey Page had no business risking life and limb at low level in a Spitfire in the maelstrom of D-Day and the heavy fighting that followed. On August 12, 1940, during the height of the Battle of Britain, he had been shot down in his Hurricane in flames. Page scrambled out of the inferno, bailing out into the sea, but his burns were so severe he spent most of the next two years in hospital undergoing skin grafts.
Most would have called it a day, but not the young Page. Showing the hallmark determination common among fighter pilots, he was back in the air by the spring of 1943. Immediately successful, on June 29 he and another pilot shot down 6 enemy aircraft in one ten minute encounter and by the following summer he was given command of 125 Wing.
By D-Day Geoffrey Page commanded 132 Squadron’s Spitfires, taking an active role in the invasion and the heavy fighting in the weeks that followed. Nicolas Trudgian’s stunning painting brings to life a typical ground support mission flown by 132 Squadron Spitfires just a few days after the invasion, as the Allied troops break out from the Normandy beach-heads. Hurtling at low-level they seek out targets of opportunity, harry the retreating German forces, and take on any enemy fighters who venture near the battlefront. Below, American armor rumbles through a recently liberated French village, shaking the foundations of the quaint old buildings as they advance towards the Front. A painting that encapsulates a moment of high drama, providing a wonderfully nostalgic study of the immortal Spitfire in action.
THE SIGNATURES
This copy if the D-Day Anniversary edition print is personally signed by EIGHT highly decorated fighter pilots who flew combat missions on D-Day, June 6, 1944 and the Battle for Normandy.
Air Commodore JOHN ELLACOMBE CB DFC* – Hurricanes, Battle of Britain & D-Day / 3 victories
Wing Commander TOM NEIL DFC* AFC – Hurricanes, Battle of Britain & D-Day / 14 victories
Wing Commander GEORGE UNWIN DSO DFM* – Spitfires, Battle of Britain & D-Day / 14 victories
Flight Lieutenant Sir ARCHIE LAMB KBE CMG DFC
Flying Officer FRANK WHEELER DFC
Squadron Leader PAT CARDEN DFC AE
Commander MIKE CROSSLEY DSC* Royal Navy
Wing Commander JACK ROSE CMG MBE DFC
Published in 2003 this proved to be a very popular release and has been sold out for many years. This copy has been conservation framed by our expert team to include museum quality reproduction RAF Wings, Aircrew Europe medal and the 1939 – 1945 Star, creating a stunning collector’s centerpiece.
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