DOOLITTLE'S D-DAY By Robert Taylor - RARE REMARQUE
Released back in 2004 to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings in Normandy, Robert Taylor chose to depict an event that occurred with one of the most legendary aviators of all time - General James 'Jimmy' Doolittle.
Already famous for leading the 'Doolittle Raid' attack on Japan back in 1942, Doolittle was now the supreme commander of the 'Mighty' 8th Air Force, which despatched an incredible 1350 Bombers escorted by a thousand fighters to strike enemy targets behind the beaches that morning. In those early few hours, the situation on the beaches was uncertain and little was being sent through by the Intelligence Services.
Doolittle decided to be 'proactive' and glean the situation for himself! Taking off in a P-38 Lightning, he headed for Normandy, flying over the largest invasion fleet in history, which he described as "the most impressive and ungorgettable sight I could have imagined". The P-38 Lightning was extremely distinctive with it's unique 'twin-boomed' configuration, enhanced with highly visible "D-Day Invasion Stripes" painted on the wings. The fleet below recognised him as 'friendly'!
Having arrived over the beaches, he flew along the landing sites viewing the situation at first hand, before turning for home, arriving back in England after a two and a half hour sortie. He went directly to Eisenhower's HQ to inform him of the situation - beating the Intelligence Services by some considerable time!
Robert Taylor depicts Doolittle's P-38 over the landing beaches as more LST craft head for the beachheads.
The Print is Signed by Artist Robert Taylor and SIX veteran P-38 Pilots:-
BRIGADIER GENERAL ROBIN OLDS
COLONEL HUBERT M. CHILDRESS
LT. COLONEL FRANK D. HURLBUT
1st LT RICHARD OSTRONIK
1st LT MEL ROALSVIG
COLONEL RICHARD WILLSIE
The Print measures an impressive 37.5 X 23.5 Inches and comes with the COA
*** SOLD ***
