Description
On the night 16th /17th May 1943, nineteen Lancasters of 617 Sqn, under the leadership of Guy Gibson, flew an audacious low-level assault against the great dams of Germany, which provided water and energy for the Nazi armament industy. Code named Operation Chastise, the mission used a special “bouncing bomb”, designed by the genius Barnes Wallis and required exceptional flying skills by the specially selected crews. If the dams could be destroyed it would deal a massive blow to the Nazi war machine.
Published in 1980 this was Robert Taylor’s first Dambuster release. It depicts the number 3 aircraft piloted by Mick Martin just releasing his bouncing bomb and heading through the defensive curtain of fire from the German gunners on the Dam walls. Having already dropped its bomb, Guy Gibson’s aircraft is flying directly in front in an effort to draw the flak, and Martin’s bomb scored another direct hit. Both Gibson and Martin then flew in with each of the two successive attacks to distract the defenses and attempting to suppress them with fire from their own air gunners.
The cumulative effect of the fourth direct hit by David Maltby’s Lancaster breached the Dam and 150,000,000 gallons flooded the Ruhr valley washing away factories, railway bridges and electric pylons greatly impacting the armament industry.
Originally signed only by Mick Martin, this very rare print is one of only a handful of copies which were additionally autographed in 1980 during a fundraiser in association with the Bomber Command Museum Appeal.
THE SIGNATURES
This special copy is personally signed by the following six Pilots who flew on the legendary Dambuster mission:
Air Marshal Sir HAROLD “MICK” MARTIN KCB CB DSO* DFC* AFC – Pilot of Lancaster AJ-P which attacked the Möhne Dam
Squadron Leader KEN BROWN CGM – Pilot of Lancaster AJ-F target the Sorpe Dam
Flight Lieutenant BILL TOWNSEND CGM DFM – Pilot of Lancaster AJ-O target the Ennepe Dam
Squadron Leader DAVID SHANNON DSO* DFC* – Pilot of Lancaster AJ-L which attacked the Möhne Dam
Pilot Officer GEOFFREY RICE – Pilot of Lancaster AJ-H which targeted the Sorpe Dam
Flight Lieutenant JOE McCARTHY DFC – Pilot of Lancaster AJ-T which scored a direct hit on the Sorpe Dam
This special tribute print is additionally signed by a further Six legendary Bomber Command veterans, including the Commander in Chief of RAF Bomber Command and Five iconic recipients of the Victoria Cross:
Marshal of the RAF Sir ARTHUR “BOMBER” HARRIS BT GCB OBE – Commander in Chief of Bomber Command during WWII
Flight Lieutenant BILL REID VC – Pilot with 617 Sqn he was awarded the Victoria Cross after a mission to Düsseldorf on 3 November 1943
Group Captain LEONARD CHESHIRE VC OM DSO** DFC* – Flew more than 100 Ops on Lancasters and Mosquitos with 617 Sqn
Group Captain LEONARD TRENT VC – Pilot on Lancasters with 617 Sqn for 40 operations
Warrant Officer NORMAN JACKSON VC –Flight Engineer with 106 Sqn, saved his crew from a fire while injured
Wing Commander ROD “BABE” LEAROYD VC – Flew Hampdens with 49 Sqn, awarded VC for supreme courage
Our expert framing team have worked their magic on this print and it is conservation framed to include the original pencil autographs of a further Ten iconic Dambuster veterans:
Sergeant DUDLEY HEAL DFM – Navigator on Ken Brown’s Lancaster AJ-F which hit on the Sorpe dam
Flying Officer DAVID RODGER DFC – Rear Gunner in Joe McCarthy’s Lancaster AJ-T which hit the Sorpe Dam
Sergeant FRED SUTHERLAND – Front Gunner on Les Knight’s Lancaster AJ-N that successfully breached the Eder Dam
Flight Sergeant GRANT MCDONALD – Rear Gunner on Ken Brown’s Lancaster AJ-F which attacked the Sorpe Dam
Squadron Leader GEORGE “JOHNNY” JOHNSON DFM – Bomb-Aimer on Lancaster AJ-T, scored a direct hit on the Sorpe
Sergeant DOUGLAS WEBB DFM – The Front Gunner on Lancaster AJ-O, targeting the Ennepe Dam
Flight Lieutenant EDWARD JOHNSON DFC – Bomb Aimer on Lancaster AJ-N which breached the Eder
Sergeant RAYMOND GRAYSTON – Flight Engineer on Les Knight’s Lancaster AJ-N that breached the Eder Dam
Flight Lieutenant GEORGE CHALMERS DFC DFM – Wireless Operator on Lancaster AJ-O, which attacked the Ennepe Dam
Sergeant STEFAN OANCIA DFM – Bomb Aimer on Ken Brown’s Lancaster AJ-F which attacked the Sorpe Dam
Boasting an extraordinary Twenty Two original autographs, this very rare piece is a collector’s dream for Dambusters enthusiasts and autograph hunters alike.
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