Description
Me109’s from 1./JG51 and Spitfires of 54 Squadron clash head-on over Kent as the unit dives into a formation of Me110s from KPRG210. It is 54 Squadron’s third and final sortie of the day, early evening on Sunday 18 August 1940, at the end of the hardest week of fighting during the Battle of Britain. In the distance a group of Hurricanes tear in to a formation of Do17s from KG76 as they too struggle back towards France after another day of relentless assaults on the airfields of southern England.
For six days the Luftwaffe attacks on RAF Fighter Command airfields and radar stations in southern England had reached epic proportions, culminating in the “Hardest Day” of them all – Sunday 18 August 1940.
For nearly a week the Luftwaffe had thrown everything they had into the attack on southern England in order to annihilate RAF Fighter Command, and gain air superiority over the Channel in preparation for Operation Sea Lion, the invasion of Britain. And, heavily outnumbered, the young RAF Spitfire and Hurricane pilots of Fighter Command had so far repelled them, at a cost.
The Battle of Britain isn’t yet won, but the tide has begun to turn. Within a month it will effectively be over and the invasion of Britain postponed for ever. Goering, having failed in his much-vaunted boast to bring Britain to heel, will slink back to Berlin.
Robert Taylor commemorated the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain with this crucial day for the Hardest Days Trilogy. Valiant Response is the third and final edition in the series and continues the events depicted in Air Armada and Hornchurch Scramble.
THE SIGNATURES
This special TWELVE signature Anniversary Edition print has been signed by RAF & Luftwaffe Battle of Britain veterans, including the legendary “Macky” Steinhoff:
Flight Lieutenant RICHARD JONES – 64, 19 Sqns / After Battle of Britain he became a test pilot
Squadron Leader DOUG NICHOLLS – 151 Sqn / 1 victory
Flying Officer KENNETH WILKINSON – 616 & 19 Sqn / After flying Spitfires in the Battle of Britain he became a distinguished flying instructor
Flight Lieutenant BENJAMIN BENT DFC – 25 Sqn / 8 victories
Group Captain BYRON DUCKENFIELD AFC – 73 Sqn, 501 Sqn / 4 victories
Flight Lieutenant WILLIAM J. CORBIN DFC – 66 Sqn
Wing Commander JOHN “TIM” ELKINGTON – Hurricane Pilot with 1 Sqn / 1 victory
Flight Lieutenant TREVOR GRAY– 64 Sqn
Flight Lieutenant KEITH LAWRENCE DFC – 185 Sqn / 5 victories
Flight Lieutenant ROBIN LUCAS – 141 Sqn / became an instructor
Oberleutnant GÜNTHER SEEGER Knight’s Cross – JG-2, JG-53 / 56 victories
General JOHANNES “MACKY” STEINHOFF Knight’s Cross With Oak Leaves and Swords – JG52, JG7, JV44 / 178 victories
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