HEIGHT OF THE BATTLE
by Robert Taylor
By mid-afternoon on Wednesday 11th September, 1940 German bomber formations were plotted flying up the Thames Estuary towards London. To deal with the imminent raid Fighter Command scrambled nine squadrons to make the intercept. As the Luftwaffe bombers approached the docklands east of London, sixty Spitfires and Hurricanes fell upon them and a pitched battle ensued. Leading No. 74 'Tiger' Squadron, 'Sailor' Malan, ignored the fighter cover and tackled the bombers, the Spitfires ripping into the Heinkel IIIs in an effective beam attack. Having made one diving attack and zoomed back above the raiding Heinkel IIIs, the fighters peel off for a second attack, Malan already winging over with Stephen on his heels. Below Hurricane Mark Is of 17 and 56 Squadrons have joined the turbulent fray.
Released in 1996 this edition pays tribute to the Spitfires and Hurricanes that served their pilots so well during the Battle of Britain. There were three editions released, each dedicated to the RAF, Canadian and Australian Air Forces with each main print being accompanied by a different companion print depending on the edition.
Each print is signed by the artist and issued with a companion print, between them carrying the signatures of no less than SEVEN Battle of Britain fighter pilots.
The RAF & Allied Aircrews Edition
Commemorating the Hawker Hurricane and the role it played during the Battle of Britain, the companion print HURRICANE ATTACK which depicts John Grandy leading Hurricanes of 249 Squadron over the Isle of Wight , August 1940.
- Squadron Leader Cyril 'Bam' Bamberger DFC
- Squadron Leader John Bentley Beard
- Squadron Leader Ben Bennions DFC
- Marshal of the RAF Sir John Grandy
- Wing Commander Tom Neil DFC* AFC AE
- Wing Commander Harbourne Stephen CBE DSO DFC*
- Wing Commander George 'Grumpy' Unwin DSO DFM*
The R.A.A.F. Anniversary Edition
Commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Royal Australian Air Force, formed in 1921, each companion print TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY depicts Clive Caldwell and Bruce Watson flying Spitfires of No. 80 Fighter Wing R.A.A.F. attacking targets of opportunity in the South West Pacific, 1945.
- Wing Commander Ian Bayles DFC
- Squadron Leader F A O 'Tony' Gaze DFC** OAM
- Wing Commander Bobby Gibbes DSO, DFC & Bar, OAM
- Group Captain Desmond Sheen DFC*
- Flight Lieutenant E. L. 'Ted' Sly
- Flight Lieutenant P H 'Peter' Watson
- Squadron Leader Bruce Watson
The Royal Canadian Air Force Edition
Commemorating the part played in the Battle of Britain by R.C.A.F. pilots, the companion print MAPLE LEAF SCRAMBLE features Hurricanes of No. 1 Squadron as they scramble during the height of the Battle of Britain, 1940.
- Squadron Leader Cyril 'Bam' Bamberger DFC
- Senator Hartland Molson OC OBE QC
- Group Captain Peter G St G O'Brian OBE DFC*
- Squadron Leader Blair Russel DSO DFC*
- Flight Lieutenant Henry Sprague
- Wing Commander Harbourne Stephen CBE DSO DFC*
- Wing Commander George 'Grumpy' Unwin DSO DFM*
- Media:
- Lithograph
- Size:
- 32 x 24 inches
- Release Date:
- 1996
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