|
There are few truly defining moments in the history of a State - single
episodes that touch every citizen, and cast a nation's future. Epoch-making
events that influence the entire world are even more uncommon. The events
that took place in the space of less than two hours on the morning of
December 7, 1941 were of such defining importance, their memory is now
deeply embedded into the history of the Twentieth Century. At ten minutes
to eight, as the US Pacific fleet lazily came awake suddenly, and without
warning, the world around them exploded with all the mighty force of thunder:
Within seconds Pearl Harbor became cloaked with attacking Japanese aircraft.
Before sailors could comprehend what was happening, bombs and torpedoes
had ripped out the heart of the fleet: Four of eight battleships were
sunk; a dozen more naval vessels lay stricken in the water; 2400 souls
perished. In those terrible few moments, the tranquil scene was transformed
into a boiling cauldron of explosions, fire, smoke and unimaginable destruction.
Pearl Harbor became a ranging inferno. Robert Taylor's specially commissioned
masterpiece recreated desperate moments during the second wave attack
at around 9am on December 7, 1941. Having taken six torpedo hits and two
bomb strikes in the first wave attack on 'Battleship Row', the West Virginia
is ablaze, her bows already low in the water and decks awash. Ignoring
the risks, crews push the navy tug Hoga alongside with fire-fighting equipment
and to pick up survivors. Overhead, Japanese Zeros swoop through the smoke,
aiming the second wave attack at installations on Pearl Harbor's Ford
Island, to complete one of history's most devastating unprovoked declarations
of war.
Overall Print Size:33" wide x 23" high
Prints signed and numbered by the artist Robert Taylor and Pearl Harbor
veterans.
Chief Gunners Mate MIGUEL ACUNA
Chief Boatswains Mate RICHARD CUNNINGHAM
Chief Machinist AL FICKEL
Lieutenant JOHN FINN
Chief Gunners Mate JOHN LAND
Machinist Mate LYNDLE LYNCH
Firemant 1st Class QEUNTIN PYLE
Seaman 1st Class KEN SWEDBERG
Edition Size - 550 Signed and Numbered Print - £200inc
vat (£170.21+vat)
Orders from outside the European Union are free of VAT.
If
you have arrived at this page through a ‘backdoor’ you will
have nowhere to go.
Please
click here to go to our HOME page
www.oliversart.com
|