VICTORY OVER PORTLAND - ORIGINAL PENCIL DRAWING BY NICOLAS TRUDGIAN
During the height of the Battle of Britain on the 11th August 1940 the Luftwaffe launched a major attack on targets in the West Country. One of the Squadrons scrambled to intercept the mass raiders was 213 Squadron flying Hurricanes.
Dogfights spread across the coastal areas of Dorset as Ju88A bombers escorted by Me110 and Me109E fighters approached Portland. One young Pilot - Flight Lieutenant James M. Strickland described the ensuing fight...
"Sighted about 70 enemy aircraft in waves approaching Portland from the East...we attacked the leading section of Ju88's, who immediately started to dive and break formation....I picked out one Ju88 and give him two short bursts on the way down and his port engine started to smoke quite a bit....aircraft was losing height rapidly and I gave him two more short bursts and then followed him right down. He forced landed on Portland bill with his undercarriage up..."
The Ju88A-1 was from Stab II/KG54 flown by Oberleutnant Wette, who was wounded in the encounter - he and his crew were all made POW. Sadly, James Strickland was later killed in a flying accident in 1941.
This wonderful Drawing by Nicolas Trudgian shows the moment where Strickland's fire has disabled the Ju88's engine. The drawing is on A3 Paper and is nicely framed.
*** I AM SELLING THIS DRAWING ON BEHALF OF A COLLECTOR - PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR PRICE ***
