The Publisher Proof
On the night of 16/17 May1943 nineteen specially modified
Lancasters of 617 Squadron departed from RAF Scampton on one of the most
secret and daring bombing operations undertaken during World War II
The ultra-secret operation to destroy the huge hydro-electric dams that
powered a significant part of Germany's industrial war machine in the
Ruhr valley, codenamed Operation Chastise, had been planned in stealth
for months, Using a revolutionary "\ 0-ton 'bouncing bomb' designed
by the brilliant designer Barnes Wallis, a special squadron comprised
of the most talented crews that RAF Bomber Command could muster would
be formed to attack primarily the Mohne, Eder and Sorpe Dams.
Using highly modified Lancaster bombers to carry the secret bomb, Operation
Chastise was to become one of the most dangerous precision bombing raids
ever undertaken, and Robert Taylor astutely captures all the atmosphere
in his new drawing Bomb Away!, the latest addition to his highly acclaimed
Graphite Collection,
At 00,38 hrs the attack on the Mohne Dam is already well underway. The
commander of 6^ 7 Squadron and leader of the raid, Wing Commander Guy
Gibson, had made the first successful attack, but the dam wall held firm.
And then tragedy had struck as Flight Lieutenant Hopgood's Lancaster,
hit by flak during his attack, exploded in a ball of flame.
Gibson called in Flight Lieutenant 'Mick' Martin to make the third assault
and Robert Taylor captures this moment with graphic precision. As enemy
flak and tracer illuminate the night sky, Guy Gibson boldly attempts to
draw the enemy's fire as Martin holds Lancaster AJ-P steady at 60ft above
the waters of the Mohne Dam to release the cylindrical, bouncing bomb
and send it spinning
towards the dam wall, In a few moments a huge explosion will erupt up
in to the night sky as the hydrostatic bomb detonates against the mighty
granite wall, Once again, though, the Mohne dam held, but not for long,
Following Martin, Squadron Leader "Dinghy" Young would approach
in Lancaster AJ-A, his bomb also successfully hitting the target but this
time the dam, already weakened, will slowly crack, Water will start to
seep through the granite wall as Squadron Leader David Maltby in Lancaster
AJ-J finishes the job. With a thunderous roar the Mohne dam was breached,
its waters unleashed like a giant tidal wave sweeping through the valley
below,
Limited edition prints of Robert Taylor's powerful depiction of this epic
historical event have been signed by many of the heroic veterans who took
part in Operation Chastise.
THE MEN WHO BREACHED THE DAMS
BOMB AWAY!
Robert Taylor's powerful new Master Drawing is a magnificent portrayal
of 'Mick' Martin's successful attack on the Mohne Dam and is issued to
commemorate the men of 617 Squadron who took part in Operation Chastise.
These increasingly rare signatures are becoming progressively more difficult
to find, and this new addition to Robert's Graphite Collection may prove
to be one of the few remaining occasions when so many veterans are gathered
together on a single print release.
THE PUBLISHER PROOFS
The unique NINE signature Publisher Proofs include all the components
of the Limited Edition, but in addition they have been beautifully conservation
matted to include the extra signatures of two further Dambuster aircrew
together with an instrumental figure in the success of the bouncing bomb:
Signed by the artist and 9 veterans:
Sergeant Ray Grayston RAF
Ray Grayston was the Flight Engineer on Lancaster AJ-N (N-Nan) flown by
Les Knight, which attacked and successfully breached the Eder Dam,
Squadron Leader George Johnson DFM RAF
Bomb Aimer on American Joe McCarthy's Lancaster AJ-T (T-Tommy), which
attacked and hit the Sorpe Dam,
Corporal KEN LUCAS RAF
One of 617 Squadron's most experienced ground crew Ken was heavily involved
in preparing the Lancasters for the raid including fitting the motors
that would spin the bomb, and attaching the crucial lamps to the underside
of the aircraft,
Flight Sergeant Grant McDONALD RCAF
The Canadian rear gunner on Ken Brown's Lancaster AJ-F
(F-Freddie), which attacked and hit the Sorpe Dam,
Squadron Leader LES MUNRO DSC DFC RNZAF New Zealander,
Captain and pilot of Lancaster AJ-W (W-Willie) assigned to attack the
Sorpe Dam, but was forced to turn back en-route to the target after heavy
flak-damage over Holland.
Sergeant FRED SUTHERLAND RCAF
Canadian Front Gunner on Les Knight's Lancaster AJ-N (N-Nan)
which attacked and successfully breached the Eder Dam,
Flight Lieutenant EDWARD JOHNSON DEC RAF (matted)
Bomb Aimer on Les Knight's Lancaster AJ-N (N-Nan), which attacked and
successfully breached the Eder Dam,
Flight Lieutenant GEORGE CHALMERS DEC DEM RAF (matted)
The Wireless Operator on Bill Townsend's Lancaster A J-0 (0-Orange) which
attacked and hit the secondary target of the Ennepe Dam,
NORMAN 'SPUD' BOORER (matted)
Norman Boorer was part of Barnes Wallis's hand-picked three-man team of
specialist design engineers who developed UPKEEP, the code name for the
famous bouncing bomb,
50 Publisher Proofs with NINE signatures - £245
Due to the size and weight of this mounted print orders from outside the
UK incur extra shipping charge - please contact us for a quote
Orders from outside the European Union are free of VAT.
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