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Closing the Gap by Robert Taylor.
As 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 Typhoons will hurtle back to base to re-arm and hastily re-fuel, ready for yet another withering strike on the encircled Wehrmacht columns. This stunning rendition from the the worlds 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. |
| | Item Code : DHM2711 | Closing the Gap by Robert Taylor. - Editions Available | |
| | DESCRIPTION | SIZE | SIGNATURES | OFFERS | PRICE | PURCHASING | PACKS | | Signed limited edition of 350 prints. | Paper size 35 inches x 25 inches (89cm x 64cm) Image size 28.5 inches x 17 inches (72cm x 43cm) |
Beake, Percival H | | Squadron Leader Percival H. Beake DFC (deceased) |
| Joining the RAFVR in April 1939, Percival Beake was mobilised at the outbreak of war. Posted to 64 Squadron on Spitfires in the summer of 1940 at the height of the Battle of Britain, he flew with them until June 1941 when he was posted first to 92 Squadron at Biggin Hill, and then 601 Squadron at Duxford. After a spell instructing he returned for his second tour in December 1942, joining 193 Squadron as a Flight Commander. In May 1944 he took command of 164 Squadron at Thorney Island flying T |
|
Hodges, JackNO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
 |
| | Warrant Officer Jack Hodges DFC |
| Jack Hodges joined the RAF in late 1940, and after completing his pilot training in Canada he returned to England and was then briefly sent to a Photo Reconnaissance Unit flying Spitfires. He moved to a OTU in Annan, Scotland on Hurricanes before finally moving to a holding unit in Redhill, flying Typhoons. In 1944 he was posted to join 175 Squadron. Shortly after this he moved to 174 Squadron at Westhampnett. He served on operations throughout occupied Europe until the end of the war, being |
|
Lincoln, John Abe | | Warrant Officer John Abe Lincoln |
| Born in 1923, Abe Lincoln joined the RAF in August 1942, spending two years training in India and Rhodesia. After training he was posted back to the UK, flying first Spitfires and then on Typhoons with 175 Squadron. The squadron was by then heavily involved with softening up targets with rockets ahead of the armies advance and close support duties at the front as the allies advanced through France into Germany. He remained with the squadron until the end of the war. |
|
+ Artist : Robert Taylor | £55 Off! | Now : £210.00 | | In 2 Pairs
and 1 Pack
View | | Typhoon edition of 25 artist proofs. | Paper size 35 inches x 25 inches (89cm x 64cm) Image size 28.5 inches x 17 inches (72cm x 43cm) |
Wheeler, FrankNO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
 |
| | Flying Officer Frank Wheeler DFC (deceased) |
| Frank Wheeler joined the RAF in 1941, training in England as a pilot after which he completed a period of instructing. In January 1944 he was posted to join 174 Typhoon Fighter Squadron at Westhampnett, his first operation being as an escort to the Mosquitos taking part in Operation Jericho, the Amiens Jailbreak. He stayed with 174 Squadron for the remainder of the War, serving throughout occupied Europe, and in 1945, at the end of his tour of operations, he was awarded the DFC. We have learn |
|
Stapleton, Basil | | Squadron Leader Basil Stapleton DFC (deceased) |
| Born in South Africa, Basil Gerald Stapleton joined the RAF in Jan 1939, being posted to 603 Sqn flying Spitfires. He first saw action off Scotland, sharing in the destruction of two bombers, before the Squadron was posted south to Hornchurch during the height of the Battle of Britain. By Nov 1940 his tally had risen to 6 and 2 shared victories and 8 probables. In March 1942 he was posted to 257 Sqn as flight commander. In August 1944 he commanded 247 Sqn flying Typhoons, taking part in the |
|
Oram, DouglasNO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
 |
| | Warrant Officer Douglas Oram |
| Doug Oram joined the RAF in 1942 and went out to America to train as a pilot. In 1944 he joined 174 Typhoon Fighter Squadron at Westhampnett, and spent a year on operations serving throughout occupied Europe. In 1945 he became a Flying Instructor and left the RAF in 1946. However he rejoined in 1947 and stayed in the service until retirement in 1967. |
|
Townsend, Rusty | | Pilot Officer Rusty Townsend |
| Australian Rusty Townsend joined the RAF in 1941, trained in the USA, before returning to join 175 Squadron on rocket firing Typhoons at Warmwell. Being in the thick of the action over France against retreating German Forces, he was shot down and taken prisoner of war. |
|
Lewis, C D Kit North | | Air Commodore Christopher Davis Kit North Lewis DSO DFC (deceased) |
| After joining the Army in 1939, Kit North Lewis transferred to the RAF in 1940. In Aug 1941, after pilot training, he was posted to 13 Squadron, flying Blenheims, where he took part in the first 1000 bomber raids. After a spell with 26 Squadron, flying P-51 Mustangs, in Feb 1944 he joined 182 Squadron on Typhoons, as a Flight Commander. A few months later he was posted to command 181 Squadron. He led this squadron into France where it became part of 124 Typhoon Wing. In Aug 1944 he was prom |
|
Kneen, KennethNO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
 |
| | Flying Officer Kenneth Junior Kneen |
| Training overseas, on arriving back in the UK Ken was posted to Holland joining 175 Squadron flying Typhoons. The squadron at the time being heavily engaged in low level bombing strikes against rail and armoured targets along the Dutch German border region. He remained with the squadron until the end of the war, then joined the RAFVR. |
|
Atkinson, John | | Flight Lieutenant Sir John Atkinson KCB DFC |
| John Atkinson joined the RAF from Oxford University in 1938 and completed his pilot training in England. His first operational posting was in 1940 to 234 Squadron at St Eval, Cornwall, flying Spitfires, before moving on to 609 Squadron at Warwell, Dorchester. In 1942 he converted to Typhoons with 609 Squadron at Duxford, and from there to Biggin Hill and Manston, launching fighter operations over France. When his tour of operations ended in 1943 he was awarded the DFC and went on to become a |
|
Beake, Percival H | | Squadron Leader Percival H. Beake DFC (deceased) |
| Joining the RAFVR in April 1939, Percival Beake was mobilised at the outbreak of war. Posted to 64 Squadron on Spitfires in the summer of 1940 at the height of the Battle of Britain, he flew with them until June 1941 when he was posted first to 92 Squadron at Biggin Hill, and then 601 Squadron at Duxford. After a spell instructing he returned for his second tour in December 1942, joining 193 Squadron as a Flight Commander. In May 1944 he took command of 164 Squadron at Thorney Island flying T |
|
Hodges, JackNO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
|
| | Warrant Officer Jack Hodges DFC |
| Jack Hodges joined the RAF in late 1940, and after completing his pilot training in Canada he returned to England and was then briefly sent to a Photo Reconnaissance Unit flying Spitfires. He moved to a OTU in Annan, Scotland on Hurricanes before finally moving to a holding unit in Redhill, flying Typhoons. In 1944 he was posted to join 175 Squadron. Shortly after this he moved to 174 Squadron at Westhampnett. He served on operations throughout occupied Europe until the end of the war, being |
|
Lincoln, John Abe | | Warrant Officer John Abe Lincoln |
| Born in 1923, Abe Lincoln joined the RAF in August 1942, spending two years training in India and Rhodesia. After training he was posted back to the UK, flying first Spitfires and then on Typhoons with 175 Squadron. The squadron was by then heavily involved with softening up targets with rockets ahead of the armies advance and close support duties at the front as the allies advanced through France into Germany. He remained with the squadron until the end of the war. |
|
+ Artist : Robert Taylor | | SOLD
OUT | NOT
AVAILABLE | | | Typhoon edition of 300 prints. | Paper size 35 inches x 25 inches (89cm x 64cm) Image size 28.5 inches x 17 inches (72cm x 43cm) |
Wheeler, FrankNO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
|
| | Flying Officer Frank Wheeler DFC (deceased) |
| Frank Wheeler joined the RAF in 1941, training in England as a pilot after which he completed a period of instructing. In January 1944 he was posted to join 174 Typhoon Fighter Squadron at Westhampnett, his first operation being as an escort to the Mosquitos taking part in Operation Jericho, the Amiens Jailbreak. He stayed with 174 Squadron for the remainder of the War, serving throughout occupied Europe, and in 1945, at the end of his tour of operations, he was awarded the DFC. We have learn |
|
Stapleton, Basil | | Squadron Leader Basil Stapleton DFC (deceased) |
| Born in South Africa, Basil Gerald Stapleton joined the RAF in Jan 1939, being posted to 603 Sqn flying Spitfires. He first saw action off Scotland, sharing in the destruction of two bombers, before the Squadron was posted south to Hornchurch during the height of the Battle of Britain. By Nov 1940 his tally had risen to 6 and 2 shared victories and 8 probables. In March 1942 he was posted to 257 Sqn as flight commander. In August 1944 he commanded 247 Sqn flying Typhoons, taking part in the |
|
Oram, DouglasNO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
|
| | Warrant Officer Douglas Oram |
| Doug Oram joined the RAF in 1942 and went out to America to train as a pilot. In 1944 he joined 174 Typhoon Fighter Squadron at Westhampnett, and spent a year on operations serving throughout occupied Europe. In 1945 he became a Flying Instructor and left the RAF in 1946. However he rejoined in 1947 and stayed in the service until retirement in 1967. |
|
Townsend, Rusty | | Pilot Officer Rusty Townsend |
| Australian Rusty Townsend joined the RAF in 1941, trained in the USA, before returning to join 175 Squadron on rocket firing Typhoons at Warmwell. Being in the thick of the action over France against retreating German Forces, he was shot down and taken prisoner of war. |
|
Lewis, C D Kit North | | Air Commodore Christopher Davis Kit North Lewis DSO DFC (deceased) |
| After joining the Army in 1939, Kit North Lewis transferred to the RAF in 1940. In Aug 1941, after pilot training, he was posted to 13 Squadron, flying Blenheims, where he took part in the first 1000 bomber raids. After a spell with 26 Squadron, flying P-51 Mustangs, in Feb 1944 he joined 182 Squadron on Typhoons, as a Flight Commander. A few months later he was posted to command 181 Squadron. He led this squadron into France where it became part of 124 Typhoon Wing. In Aug 1944 he was prom |
|
Kneen, KennethNO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
|
| | Flying Officer Kenneth Junior Kneen |
| Training overseas, on arriving back in the UK Ken was posted to Holland joining 175 Squadron flying Typhoons. The squadron at the time being heavily engaged in low level bombing strikes against rail and armoured targets along the Dutch German border region. He remained with the squadron until the end of the war, then joined the RAFVR. |
|
Atkinson, John | | Flight Lieutenant Sir John Atkinson KCB DFC |
| John Atkinson joined the RAF from Oxford University in 1938 and completed his pilot training in England. His first operational posting was in 1940 to 234 Squadron at St Eval, Cornwall, flying Spitfires, before moving on to 609 Squadron at Warwell, Dorchester. In 1942 he converted to Typhoons with 609 Squadron at Duxford, and from there to Biggin Hill and Manston, launching fighter operations over France. When his tour of operations ended in 1943 he was awarded the DFC and went on to become a |
|
Beake, Percival H | | Squadron Leader Percival H. Beake DFC (deceased) |
| Joining the RAFVR in April 1939, Percival Beake was mobilised at the outbreak of war. Posted to 64 Squadron on Spitfires in the summer of 1940 at the height of the Battle of Britain, he flew with them until June 1941 when he was posted first to 92 Squadron at Biggin Hill, and then 601 Squadron at Duxford. After a spell instructing he returned for his second tour in December 1942, joining 193 Squadron as a Flight Commander. In May 1944 he took command of 164 Squadron at Thorney Island flying T |
|
Hodges, JackNO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
|
| | Warrant Officer Jack Hodges DFC |
| Jack Hodges joined the RAF in late 1940, and after completing his pilot training in Canada he returned to England and was then briefly sent to a Photo Reconnaissance Unit flying Spitfires. He moved to a OTU in Annan, Scotland on Hurricanes before finally moving to a holding unit in Redhill, flying Typhoons. In 1944 he was posted to join 175 Squadron. Shortly after this he moved to 174 Squadron at Westhampnett. He served on operations throughout occupied Europe until the end of the war, being |
|
Lincoln, John Abe | | Warrant Officer John Abe Lincoln |
| Born in 1923, Abe Lincoln joined the RAF in August 1942, spending two years training in India and Rhodesia. After training he was posted back to the UK, flying first Spitfires and then on Typhoons with 175 Squadron. The squadron was by then heavily involved with softening up targets with rockets ahead of the armies advance and close support duties at the front as the allies advanced through France into Germany. He remained with the squadron until the end of the war. |
|
+ Artist : Robert Taylor | | SOLD
OUT | NOT
AVAILABLE | | | Normandy Veterans edition of 95 prints. | Paper size 35 inches x 25 inches (89cm x 64cm) Image size 28.5 inches x 17 inches (72cm x 43cm) |
Rayner, Titch | | Sergeant Titch Rayner (deceased) |
| Titch Rayner served with the British Parachute Regiment. On D-Day he was flown into France on Horsa glider No.4, which landed off target due to a navigational problem. With the element of surprise gone, he and his fellow Paras had to fight their way through to Pegasus Bridge. He died on 2nd April 2015. |
|
Wheeler, FrankNO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
|
| | Flying Officer Frank Wheeler DFC (deceased) |
| Frank Wheeler joined the RAF in 1941, training in England as a pilot after which he completed a period of instructing. In January 1944 he was posted to join 174 Typhoon Fighter Squadron at Westhampnett, his first operation being as an escort to the Mosquitos taking part in Operation Jericho, the Amiens Jailbreak. He stayed with 174 Squadron for the remainder of the War, serving throughout occupied Europe, and in 1945, at the end of his tour of operations, he was awarded the DFC. We have learn |
|
Stapleton, Basil | | Squadron Leader Basil Stapleton DFC (deceased) |
| Born in South Africa, Basil Gerald Stapleton joined the RAF in Jan 1939, being posted to 603 Sqn flying Spitfires. He first saw action off Scotland, sharing in the destruction of two bombers, before the Squadron was posted south to Hornchurch during the height of the Battle of Britain. By Nov 1940 his tally had risen to 6 and 2 shared victories and 8 probables. In March 1942 he was posted to 257 Sqn as flight commander. In August 1944 he commanded 247 Sqn flying Typhoons, taking part in the |
|
Oram, DouglasNO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
|
| | Warrant Officer Douglas Oram |
| Doug Oram joined the RAF in 1942 and went out to America to train as a pilot. In 1944 he joined 174 Typhoon Fighter Squadron at Westhampnett, and spent a year on operations serving throughout occupied Europe. In 1945 he became a Flying Instructor and left the RAF in 1946. However he rejoined in 1947 and stayed in the service until retirement in 1967. |
|
Boyle, Peter B | | Staff Sergeant Peter B Boyle |
| One of the pilots in the third glider to arrive alongside what was to become famous as Pegasus Bridge, Boyle had a key role in perhaps the most dramatic action by airborne forces on D-Day. The Horsa landed heavily on the edge of a pond throwing two officers through cockpit windows and temporarily trapping some of the troops in the aircraft - one had been killed, the only fatal casualty in the landings. Boyle then joined in the actions across bridge. Although demanding very accurate flying (all t |
|
Townsend, Rusty | | Pilot Officer Rusty Townsend |
| Australian Rusty Townsend joined the RAF in 1941, trained in the USA, before returning to join 175 Squadron on rocket firing Typhoons at Warmwell. Being in the thick of the action over France against retreating German Forces, he was shot down and taken prisoner of war. |
|
Lewis, C D Kit North | | Air Commodore Christopher Davis Kit North Lewis DSO DFC (deceased) |
| After joining the Army in 1939, Kit North Lewis transferred to the RAF in 1940. In Aug 1941, after pilot training, he was posted to 13 Squadron, flying Blenheims, where he took part in the first 1000 bomber raids. After a spell with 26 Squadron, flying P-51 Mustangs, in Feb 1944 he joined 182 Squadron on Typhoons, as a Flight Commander. A few months later he was posted to command 181 Squadron. He led this squadron into France where it became part of 124 Typhoon Wing. In Aug 1944 he was prom |
|
Kneen, KennethNO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
|
| | Flying Officer Kenneth Junior Kneen |
| Training overseas, on arriving back in the UK Ken was posted to Holland joining 175 Squadron flying Typhoons. The squadron at the time being heavily engaged in low level bombing strikes against rail and armoured targets along the Dutch German border region. He remained with the squadron until the end of the war, then joined the RAFVR. |
|
Atkinson, John | | Flight Lieutenant Sir John Atkinson KCB DFC |
| John Atkinson joined the RAF from Oxford University in 1938 and completed his pilot training in England. His first operational posting was in 1940 to 234 Squadron at St Eval, Cornwall, flying Spitfires, before moving on to 609 Squadron at Warwell, Dorchester. In 1942 he converted to Typhoons with 609 Squadron at Duxford, and from there to Biggin Hill and Manston, launching fighter operations over France. When his tour of operations ended in 1943 he was awarded the DFC and went on to become a |
|
Brown, John | | Staff Sergeant John Brown |
| Royal Engineers, he landed on Gold Beach two weeks after D-Day. |
|
Coventry, Alex | | Lance Corporal Alex Coventry |
| 2nd Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, landed 19th June 1944, served from D-Day through to Germany. |
|
Dixon, Alex | | Lance Corporal Alex Dixon |
| 1st Bucks Battalion xford and Buckinghamshire Regiment, landed on D-Day at Sword Beach, fought in the advance from France through to Germany. |
|
Grantham, Bill | | Royal Artillery, landed on Sword Beach on D-Day + 10. Served from Normandy all the way through to Berlin. |
|
Williams, Ray | | Lance Corporal Ray Williams |
| 30 Air Sea Rescue Unit, on high speed rescue launches on D-Day, the first unit to bring walking wounded back to Portsmouth from the Normandy beaches. |
|
Weedon, Bob | | Royal Army Service Corps, landed on Gold Beach 20th June, fought in the Normandy breakout through northern Europe. |
|
Menday, Wally | | 5th Battalion Queens Royal Regiment, landed 7th June 1944 on Gold Beach. |
|
Sherbrook, Tom | | 3 tonne lorry driver from No 2 Assault Group, Royal Army Service Corps. Landed on D-Day at Sword Beach. |
|
Beake, Percival H | | Squadron Leader Percival H. Beake DFC (deceased) |
| Joining the RAFVR in April 1939, Percival Beake was mobilised at the outbreak of war. Posted to 64 Squadron on Spitfires in the summer of 1940 at the height of the Battle of Britain, he flew with them until June 1941 when he was posted first to 92 Squadron at Biggin Hill, and then 601 Squadron at Duxford. After a spell instructing he returned for his second tour in December 1942, joining 193 Squadron as a Flight Commander. In May 1944 he took command of 164 Squadron at Thorney Island flying T |
|
Hodges, JackNO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
|
| | Warrant Officer Jack Hodges DFC |
| Jack Hodges joined the RAF in late 1940, and after completing his pilot training in Canada he returned to England and was then briefly sent to a Photo Reconnaissance Unit flying Spitfires. He moved to a OTU in Annan, Scotland on Hurricanes before finally moving to a holding unit in Redhill, flying Typhoons. In 1944 he was posted to join 175 Squadron. Shortly after this he moved to 174 Squadron at Westhampnett. He served on operations throughout occupied Europe until the end of the war, being |
|
Lincoln, John Abe | | Warrant Officer John Abe Lincoln |
| Born in 1923, Abe Lincoln joined the RAF in August 1942, spending two years training in India and Rhodesia. After training he was posted back to the UK, flying first Spitfires and then on Typhoons with 175 Squadron. The squadron was by then heavily involved with softening up targets with rockets ahead of the armies advance and close support duties at the front as the allies advanced through France into Germany. He remained with the squadron until the end of the war. |
|
+ Artist : Robert Taylor | | SOLD
OUT | NOT
AVAILABLE | | | Knights Cross edition of 15 prints. | Paper size 35 inches x 25 inches (89cm x 64cm) Image size 28.5 inches x 17 inches (72cm x 43cm) |
Fischer, Gerhard | | Gerhard Fischer (deceased) |
| World War Two Panzer tank Ace with 102 tank victories. Chief of the 8./Panzer-Regiment 2, he took part in the Battle of France, Second Battle of Kharkov, Operation Winter Storm, Dnieper-Carpathian Offensive, First Jassy-Kishinev Offensive, and Operation Spring Awakening. He received the Knights Cross for actions on 28th December 1943. He was also a recipient of the Panzer Badge and German Cross in Gold. Later, a member of the Bundeswehr from 1959 to 1972. Died in 2013. |
|
Girg, Walther | | Walter Girg was born in 1919. He joined the SS at the beginning of the second world war serving with Das Reich division in the Balkans and the invasion of Russia - operations Marita and Barbarossa respectively. By 1944 he was a platoon leader in 1 company, 502nd SS Jager Battalion Mitte. In the Carapathian mountains in September 1944, he led his men behind Russian but was discovered and wounded, but facing capture was rescued by a German artillery barrage which allowed him and his men to esca |
|
Kerscher, Albert | | Albert Kerscher (deceased) |
| German Army - Knights Cross with Oak Leaves. Oberfeldwebel Albert Kerscher was, like Otto Carius, a panzer ace from schwere Panzer Abteilung 502. He achieved his 100th kill in defending the Neuhauser Forest near Pillau, East Prussia in April 1945. On 22nd July 1944, 1st Lieutenant Otto Carius with his company of eight Tigers advanced towards the village on Malinava (northern suburb of Dunaburg) in order to halt the Russian advance. Carius and Kerscher took a Kubelwagen in order to check if t |
|
Kujacinski, Norbert | | Norbert Kujacinski (deceased) |
| Born 11th July 1920 in Berlin. Called up to the army in August 1939, he served in the Fench campaign before joining the 23rd Panzer Division on the eastern front. Fighting in the southern area of the eastern front, his unit avoided involvement at Stalingrad, but was used to relieve the forces involved there. His unit had just 20 tanks left by January 1943 - Kujacinski himself had earned the Iron Cross I and II. The rest of the year saw the unit re-equip before fighting at Dnieper towards the |
|
Rayner, Titch | | Sergeant Titch Rayner (deceased) |
| Titch Rayner served with the British Parachute Regiment. On D-Day he was flown into France on Horsa glider No.4, which landed off target due to a navigational problem. With the element of surprise gone, he and his fellow Paras had to fight their way through to Pegasus Bridge. He died on 2nd April 2015. |
|
Wheeler, FrankNO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
|
| | Flying Officer Frank Wheeler DFC (deceased) |
| Frank Wheeler joined the RAF in 1941, training in England as a pilot after which he completed a period of instructing. In January 1944 he was posted to join 174 Typhoon Fighter Squadron at Westhampnett, his first operation being as an escort to the Mosquitos taking part in Operation Jericho, the Amiens Jailbreak. He stayed with 174 Squadron for the remainder of the War, serving throughout occupied Europe, and in 1945, at the end of his tour of operations, he was awarded the DFC. We have learn |
|
Stapleton, Basil | | Squadron Leader Basil Stapleton DFC (deceased) |
| Born in South Africa, Basil Gerald Stapleton joined the RAF in Jan 1939, being posted to 603 Sqn flying Spitfires. He first saw action off Scotland, sharing in the destruction of two bombers, before the Squadron was posted south to Hornchurch during the height of the Battle of Britain. By Nov 1940 his tally had risen to 6 and 2 shared victories and 8 probables. In March 1942 he was posted to 257 Sqn as flight commander. In August 1944 he commanded 247 Sqn flying Typhoons, taking part in the |
|
Carius, Otto | | German Army - Knights Cross with Oak Leaves. Otto Carius was born on May 27th of 1922 in Zweibrucken, Rheinland-Pfalz in Southwest Germany. Carius volunteered for 104th Infantry Placement Battalion in May of 1940 and was assigned to the 21st Panzer Regiment when he graduated. During the Invasion of Russia, Operation Barbarossa, in June 1941, Carius was a loader Panzer 38 and experienced his first battle as a loader on a Panzer III, light tank In 1941 after serving 11 months in Russia Carius w |
|
Oram, DouglasNO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
|
| | Warrant Officer Douglas Oram |
| Doug Oram joined the RAF in 1942 and went out to America to train as a pilot. In 1944 he joined 174 Typhoon Fighter Squadron at Westhampnett, and spent a year on operations serving throughout occupied Europe. In 1945 he became a Flying Instructor and left the RAF in 1946. However he rejoined in 1947 and stayed in the service until retirement in 1967. |
|
Boyle, Peter B | | Staff Sergeant Peter B Boyle |
| One of the pilots in the third glider to arrive alongside what was to become famous as Pegasus Bridge, Boyle had a key role in perhaps the most dramatic action by airborne forces on D-Day. The Horsa landed heavily on the edge of a pond throwing two officers through cockpit windows and temporarily trapping some of the troops in the aircraft - one had been killed, the only fatal casualty in the landings. Boyle then joined in the actions across bridge. Although demanding very accurate flying (all t |
|
Townsend, Rusty | | Pilot Officer Rusty Townsend |
| Australian Rusty Townsend joined the RAF in 1941, trained in the USA, before returning to join 175 Squadron on rocket firing Typhoons at Warmwell. Being in the thick of the action over France against retreating German Forces, he was shot down and taken prisoner of war. |
|
Lewis, C D Kit North | | Air Commodore Christopher Davis Kit North Lewis DSO DFC (deceased) |
| After joining the Army in 1939, Kit North Lewis transferred to the RAF in 1940. In Aug 1941, after pilot training, he was posted to 13 Squadron, flying Blenheims, where he took part in the first 1000 bomber raids. After a spell with 26 Squadron, flying P-51 Mustangs, in Feb 1944 he joined 182 Squadron on Typhoons, as a Flight Commander. A few months later he was posted to command 181 Squadron. He led this squadron into France where it became part of 124 Typhoon Wing. In Aug 1944 he was prom |
|
Kneen, KennethNO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
|
| | Flying Officer Kenneth Junior Kneen |
| Training overseas, on arriving back in the UK Ken was posted to Holland joining 175 Squadron flying Typhoons. The squadron at the time being heavily engaged in low level bombing strikes against rail and armoured targets along the Dutch German border region. He remained with the squadron until the end of the war, then joined the RAFVR. |
|
Atkinson, John | | Flight Lieutenant Sir John Atkinson KCB DFC |
| John Atkinson joined the RAF from Oxford University in 1938 and completed his pilot training in England. His first operational posting was in 1940 to 234 Squadron at St Eval, Cornwall, flying Spitfires, before moving on to 609 Squadron at Warwell, Dorchester. In 1942 he converted to Typhoons with 609 Squadron at Duxford, and from there to Biggin Hill and Manston, launching fighter operations over France. When his tour of operations ended in 1943 he was awarded the DFC and went on to become a |
|
Rudolf, Richard | | Richard Rudolf (deceased) |
| Born 16th April 1923, Richard Rudolf was awarden the Iron Cross 2nd Class on 8th March 1943, the Iron Cross 1st Class on 3rd July 1944 and finally the Knights Cross on 18th November 1944. He served with the Waffen SS. |
|
Brown, John | | Staff Sergeant John Brown |
| Royal Engineers, he landed on Gold Beach two weeks after D-Day. |
|
Coventry, Alex | | Lance Corporal Alex Coventry |
| 2nd Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, landed 19th June 1944, served from D-Day through to Germany. |
|
Dixon, Alex | | Lance Corporal Alex Dixon |
| 1st Bucks Battalion xford and Buckinghamshire Regiment, landed on D-Day at Sword Beach, fought in the advance from France through to Germany. |
|
Grantham, Bill | | Royal Artillery, landed on Sword Beach on D-Day + 10. Served from Normandy all the way through to Berlin. |
|
Williams, Ray | | Lance Corporal Ray Williams |
| 30 Air Sea Rescue Unit, on high speed rescue launches on D-Day, the first unit to bring walking wounded back to Portsmouth from the Normandy beaches. |
|
Weedon, Bob | | Royal Army Service Corps, landed on Gold Beach 20th June, fought in the Normandy breakout through northern Europe. |
|
Menday, Wally | | 5th Battalion Queens Royal Regiment, landed 7th June 1944 on Gold Beach. |
|
Sherbrook, Tom | | 3 tonne lorry driver from No 2 Assault Group, Royal Army Service Corps. Landed on D-Day at Sword Beach. |
|
Beake, Percival H | | Squadron Leader Percival H. Beake DFC (deceased) |
| Joining the RAFVR in April 1939, Percival Beake was mobilised at the outbreak of war. Posted to 64 Squadron on Spitfires in the summer of 1940 at the height of the Battle of Britain, he flew with them until June 1941 when he was posted first to 92 Squadron at Biggin Hill, and then 601 Squadron at Duxford. After a spell instructing he returned for his second tour in December 1942, joining 193 Squadron as a Flight Commander. In May 1944 he took command of 164 Squadron at Thorney Island flying T |
|
Hodges, JackNO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
|
| | Warrant Officer Jack Hodges DFC |
| Jack Hodges joined the RAF in late 1940, and after completing his pilot training in Canada he returned to England and was then briefly sent to a Photo Reconnaissance Unit flying Spitfires. He moved to a OTU in Annan, Scotland on Hurricanes before finally moving to a holding unit in Redhill, flying Typhoons. In 1944 he was posted to join 175 Squadron. Shortly after this he moved to 174 Squadron at Westhampnett. He served on operations throughout occupied Europe until the end of the war, being |
|
Lincoln, John Abe | | Warrant Officer John Abe Lincoln |
| Born in 1923, Abe Lincoln joined the RAF in August 1942, spending two years training in India and Rhodesia. After training he was posted back to the UK, flying first Spitfires and then on Typhoons with 175 Squadron. The squadron was by then heavily involved with softening up targets with rockets ahead of the armies advance and close support duties at the front as the allies advanced through France into Germany. He remained with the squadron until the end of the war. |
|
+ Artist : Robert Taylor | | SOLD
OUT | NOT
AVAILABLE | |
|
|
