Description

12th. November, 1944. Lancasters of 617 Squadron RAF over Norway on their approach to Tromso ,fjord, and their final attack on the battleship Tirpitz. Twenty nine Lancasters of 617 and 9 Squadron had made a wide detour to approach the Tirpitz from inland, in order to avoid early detection by radar. Armed with 12,000 pound Tallboy bombs, the Lancasters had been fitted with up-graded Merlin engines, and their mid upper gun turrets had been removed, along with some armour, in order to allow them to carry this weapon at the required range. Both squadrons had participated in two previous attacks during the preceding months. On the first occasion a smokescreen around Tirpitz prevented accurate bombing, and low cloud foiled the second raid. This time there were no defending fighters, and no smokescreen as the Lancasters passed over the last mountain and the Tirpitz came into view. The ship was hit by at least two Tallboys, possibly three, enough to put an end to the Tirpitz Menace...The edition is a Commemorative Proof and is signed by a total of TWENTY FIVE Aircrew that actually took part in the attacks on the Tirpitz: Individually hand signed by the artist : Robert Taylor , Flying Officer C B R FISH , Squadron Leader TONY IVESON DFC AE , Flight Lieutenant BOB KNIGHTS DSO DFC , Squadron Leader E.A. WASS AE , Warrant Officer B. BURNETT , Flight Lieutenant JAMES CASTAGNOLA DSO DFC , Warrant Officer AW CHERRINGTON , Flight Lieutenant D COOPER , Squadron Leader LAWRENCE CURTIS DFC* AE , Squadron Leader LAWRENCE 'BENNY' GOODMAN , Flight Lieutenant SYDNEY GRIMES , Squadron Leader MAC HAMILTON DFC , Flight Lieutenant F E HOWKINS , Warrant Officer H JOHNSON DFM , Flying Officer A K JOHNSTONE , Flying Officer B F KENT DFC , Flying Officer A J LAMMAS , Wing Commander G MACKIE , Flight Lieutenant AM MCKIE , Warrant Officer J D PHILLIPS , Flight Lieutenant H J RIDING , Flying Officer J SOILLEUX , Group Captain JAMES 'WILLIE' TAIT DSO*** DFC* ADC , Warrant Officer FRANK TILLEY , Flight Lieutenant F H AWATTS DFC...This particular print has been additionally signed by 3 further Tirpitz raiders making a total of 28 , Flight Sergeant Ken Jenkinson , Squadron Leader Tom Bennett DFM and Warrant Officer Colin Cole...priced @ Sold for this breathtaking multi signed Remarque...Comes with a signed COA from Robert Taylors Studio.