|
Aircraft - Spitfire, Me109
Operating
from an ex-Luftwaffe base at Culot in Belgium, Johnnie Johnson’s
Canadian Wing were in combat most days the weather permitted. The Luftwaffe
had staged a remarkable recovery after its Normandy defeat and by September
1944 was at operating strength from airfields east of the Rhine. Big formations
of Fw190 and Me109 fighters were pitting themselves against the RAF’s
ground attack Typhoons, and it was the Canadians task to get to the Luftwaffe
fighters first.
“Kenway to Greycap. Bandits flying down the Rhine towards you. Steer
One Three Zero”.
“Greycap to Kenway. Roger. How many?”
“A small gaggle – about a dozen. Out”.
Leading 433 Squadron, Johnnie Johnson swings his twelve Spitfires to the
Southeast, following the course of the river at 12,000 feet. All eyes
are peeled.
“Greycap from Red Three. Nine bandits below”.
With all the essentials of tactical success – speed, height and
surprise, the Canadians plummet into the enemy fighters. Within seconds
the air becomes a tangle of twisting, turning fighters.
Robert Taylor takes up the story moments after the attack and portrays
the dog fight scene as only he can. Greycap Leader – Johnnie Johnson
– has already bagged an Fw190 and is hauling his Mk IX Spitfire
around looking for a second whilst to starboard his wingman draws a bead
on another Fw190. In the distance more enemy fighters appear; they too
will shortly receive the attention of the Canadians.
Overall
print size: 33 inches wide x 24 inches high.
Signed
in pencil by the artist Robert Taylor and ten heroes who flew in combat
with Johnnie Johnson’s Canadian Wing:
Squadron Leader Danny Browne DFC, Wing Commander ‘Stocky’
Edwards DFC* DFM, Squadron Leader Hartland Finlay DFC, Wing Commander
Hugh Godefroy DSO DFC* Croix de Guerre, Air Vice Marshal Johnnie Johnson
CB CBE DSO** DFC* DL,
Lieutenant General Don Laubman DFC, Wing Commander Andy Mackenzie DFC
CD, Wing Commander Robert G Middlemiss DFC CD, Flight Lieutenant Larry
Robillard DFM CD, Wing Commander Roderick Smith DFC.
850
signed and numbered prints - sold out
85 Artist’s Proofs - £325 each
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
|
