CLOSING THE GAP Signed by 13 RAF & SS Normandy Vets
(Signatures)	Artist : Robert Taylor and Squadron Leader PERCIVAL BEAKE DFC , Warrant Officer JACK HODGES DFC , Warrant Officer JOHN ‘ABE’ LINCOLN , Flight Lieutenant Sir JOHN ATKINSON KCB DFC , Flying Officer KENNETH ‘JUNIOR’ KNEEN , Air Commodore C. D. ‘KIT’ NORTH-LEWIS DSO DFC , Warrant Officer DOUG ORAM , Squadron Leader BASIL ‘STAPME’ STAPLETON DFC , Flying Officer FRANK WHEELER DFC and Pilot Officer ‘RUSTY’ TOWNSEND...This particular print has also been signed by an amazing three rare surviving combat veterans of the Waffen SS that fought in Normandy at this time...SS Unterscharfuhrer Manfred Thorn 7.Pz. Kompanie LSSAH , SS Sturmann Gert Hartwig Pries LSSAH and SS Sturmbanfuhrer Karl-Heinz Decker Hitler Jugend.
(Dimensions)	35" x 25" approx  Unframed Multi Signed Print
Price	£495.00

Description

As Hawker Typhoon Mk1b fighter-bombers of 247 Squadron exit the target area near Falaise at full throttle, the havoc wreaked in their wake bears witness to the devastation of their powerful rockets. Fuel and ammunition from the retreating German column explode with shattering detonations, the savagery of the attack demoralising the enemy into stunned oblivion. The Hawker Typhoons will hurtle back to base to re-arm and hastily re-fuel, for yet another withering strike on the encircled Wehrmacht columns. It is August 1944, barely two months since the allies landed their first troops on the beaches of Normandy. Already the all-conquering German Panzer Divisions are in full retreat, and it is critical to halt them before they can regroup. Caught in the Gap at Falaise, the battle was to be decisive. Flying from dusty airstrips throughout a continuous onslaught, rocket-firing Typhoons kept up their attacks on the trapped armoured divisions from dawn to dusk. The effect was devastating: at the end of the ten-day battle the 100,000 strong German force was decimated. This stunning new rendition from the world’s premier aviation artist pays tribute to the brave young RAF fighter pilots of the twenty squadrons of rocket-firing Hawker Typhoons who flew those perilous ground attacks during the Battle of Normandy. With each print in this new limited edition signed by pilots who flew in the thick of the action of the air war on the Western Front, knowledgeable collectors are given a rare opportunity to complete an important section in their valuable print portfolios... Every print in this edition has been signed by three hugely respected RAF Typhoon pilots who flew and fought in the skies over Normandy...Squadron Leader PERCIVAL BEAKE DFC , Warrant Officer JACK HODGES DFC , Warrant Officer JOHN ‘ABE’ LINCOLN...THE TYPHOON EDITION in addition to the pilots signing the limited edition, each print in this remarkable Ten signature Hawker Typhoon Edition is also signed by the following distinguished Typhoon fighter pilots... Flight Lieutenant Sir JOHN ATKINSON KCB DFC , Flying Officer KENNETH ‘JUNIOR’ KNEEN , Air Commodore C. D. ‘KIT’ NORTH-LEWIS DSO DFC , Warrant Officer DOUG ORAM , Squadron Leader BASIL ‘STAPME’ STAPLETON DFC , Flying Officer FRANK WHEELER DFC and Pilot Officer ‘RUSTY’ TOWNSEND...This particular print has also been signed by an amazing three rare surviving combat veterans of the Waffen SS that fought in Normandy at this time...SS Unterscharfuhrer Manfred Thorn 7.Pz. Kompanie LSSAH , SS Sturmann Gert Hartwig Pries LSSAH and SS Sturmbanfuhrer Karl-Heinz Decker Hitler Jugend...priced @ £495.00 for this one off print...To complement the purchase of your fine art print, we are now able to offer a professional Picture Framing service. For further details please contact us by phone or email.