HOMEWARD BOUND by Nicolas Trudgian DOUBLE REMARQUE
The most famous RAF raid of the entire war, the attack on the great Dams in Westphalia still generates enormous interest with collectors. The specially modified Lancasters of 617 Squadron trained in secret to drop the Barnes Wallis designed 'Upkeep' Bombs at precisely the correct height and distance so that they struck the Dams, sank - and detonated below the waterline - the hope being the shock would cause the huge concrete structures to give way.
On the night of 16th/17th May 1943 the 19 Lancasters launched 'Operation Chastise', Wing Commander Guy Gibson leading them off to their specified targets - the Mohne, Sorpe, Ennepe and Eder Dams.
Flying at extreme low-level across Holland, the Lancasters made their way to the targets in darkness, having to contend with pylons and anti-aircraft fire.
Despite the difficulties, the attacks were pressed home in the face of determined Flak and in Nicolas Trudgian's superb 'Homeward Bound' it is the Lancaster 'AJ-L' of David Shannon, having dropped his 'Upkeep' bomb on the Eder Dam, that is racing for home low over a typical Dutch landscape, enemy searchlights probing the sky hoping to catch one of the fleeting raiders.
This example has been Signed by Artist Nicolas Trudgian and the following aircrew who flew the famous 'Dams' Mission that night:-
FLIGHT LIEUTENANT EDWARD C. JOHNSON - 617 SQ - 'AJ-N'
SERGEANT RAY GRAYSTON - 617 SQ 'AJ-N '
SQUADRON LEADER GEORGE JOHNSON DFM - 617 SQ 'AJ-T'
SQUADRON LEADER LES MUNRO - 617 SQ - PILOT 'AJ-W'
FLIGHT SERGEANT GRANT MCDONALD - 617 SQ 'AJ-F'
CORPORAL BECK PARSONS - 617 SQ - Ground crew for 5 Lancasters inc Gibson & Martin
CORPORAL KENNETH LUCAS - 617 SQ - Ground crew 'Upkeep Bombs'
In addition to this line up of Signatures the Artist Nicolas Trudgian has added a SUPERB DOUBLE REMARQUE showing the Lancasters of Guy Gibson and 'Mick' Martin ready to lift off from Scampton to start the famous Mission!
The Print measures 27 x 19 and is in Excellent Condition.
A Total One-Off!
*** SOLD ***
