Robert Taylor, Limited Edition Print, "The Dambusters`, signed in pencil by:. Air Marshal Si

Robert Taylor, Limited Edition Print, "The Dambusters`, signed in pencil by:. Air Marshal Sir Harold (Mick) Martin, KCB, CB, DSO, DFC, AFC, RAAF. Corporal Ken Lucas. Flight Engineer Sergeant Raymond Ernest Grayston. Flight Lieutenant Joseph Charles McCarthy, RCAF, DSO, bar to Distinguished Flying Cross. Flight Lieutenant William "Bill` Reid, VC. Flight Sergeant W.C. (Bill) Townsend, CGM, DFM. Group Captain Lord Leonard Cheshire, VC. Marshal of the Royal Air Force, Sir Arthur T. (Bomber) Harris. Flying Officer Geoffrey Rice, DFC. Sergeant George Leonard (Johnny) Johnston, DFM. Squadron Leader David John Shannon, DSO and Bar, DFC and Bar. Squadron Leader Ken Brown, CGM, CD and Bar. Squadron Leader Les Munro, CNZM, DSO, QSO, DFC, JP. Warrant Officer Norman Cyril Jackson, VC. Wing Commander Roderick Alastair Brook Learoyd, VC. On 16th May 1943 nineteen Lancasters of 617 Squadron under the leadership of Wing Commander Guy Gibson attacked the Moehne, Eder and Sorpe Dams which provided water for the great armament industries of the German Ruhr. The dam faces of the Moehne and Eder were smashed and vast flood waters released. On arrival at the Moehne Dam, Gibson attacked first and scored a direct hit with his Barnes Wallis bouncing bomb. The next aircraft in was hit by flak, and blew up crashing just beyond the dam. Robert Taylor`s print shows the number three aircraft, piloted by Flight Lieutenant Mick Martin making his determined run in, just releasing his bouncing bomb and heading through the devensive curtain of gunfire. Guy Gibson`s aircraft is flying in front and to the starboard of Martin`s in an effort to distract the flak. In spite of this Martin collected a shell right through a wing tank, but his bomb scored another direct hit. Gibson and Martin, then flew in with each of the two successive attacks either distracting the defences of attempting to suppress them with fire from their own air-gunners. The cumulative effect of the fourth direct hit breached the Dam and 150,000,000 gallons flooded the Ruhr valley washing away factories, railway bridges, electric pylons but above all greatly reducing water supplies, necessary to the armament industrial processes. The total cost of the overall operation to 617 Squadron was 56 members lost from 133 original flyers, and eight Lancasters destroyed and four damaged. Gibson was awarded the VC and 32 other aircrew were decorated for this most famous of all air offensive actions.

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