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To Hell and Back - Operation Tidal Wave by Anthony Saunders. - Cranston Military Prints

To Hell and Back - Operation Tidal Wave by Anthony Saunders.


To Hell and Back - Operation Tidal Wave by Anthony Saunders.

Flying at low-level over the Astra Romana oil refinery, Lt James Merrick of the 98th Bomb Group powers his B-24 'Lil De-icer' through the pall of burning debris as time-delayed bombs, dropped in error by a previous Group, explode beneath them. With any hope of surprise now lost, and taking heavy losses in the process, the crews of the 98th bravely hold their bombers on course. Allied planners knew that just over a third of all Germany's oil came from a single source - the oil fields at Ploesti, far to the east of deepest Romania. If the oilfields and refineries at Ploesti could be destroyed, then Hitler's armies would be dealt a savage blow from which they might never recover.
Item Code : DHM6411RMBTo Hell and Back - Operation Tidal Wave by Anthony Saunders. - Editions Available
DESCRIPTIONSIZESIGNATURESOFFERSPRICEPURCHASINGPACKS
Signed limited edition of 350 prints. Paper size 30.5 inches x 23.5 inches (78cm x 60cm) Image size 24 inches x 16 inches (61cm x 41cm)
Cavit, Charles D
Captain Charles D Cavit
Enlisting in the Army Air Corps the month after Pearl Harbor, Charles Cavit trained as a Pilot and was assigned to the 567th Bomb Squadron, 389th Bomb Group in March 1943. Arriving in the UK in July he was immediately dispatched to Libya, detached to the 98th Bomb Group. A Co-Pilot on the Ploesti Raid of 1st August 1943, his first combat mission, his B-24 Jersey Jackass was shot down over Romania. Wounded, he was captured and taken to Bucharest as a PoW.
Signature Value : £20
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

Opsata, Andrew W
Captain Andrew W Opsata
Joining the Army Air Corps in June 1940 and qualifying as a Pilot, Andy Opsata flew B-24 Liberators with the 389th Bomb Group, based in East Anglia in England. On 3rd July the unit flew to a temporary base outside Bengazi, detached to the 98th Bomb Group and he was Pilot of the B-24 named The Stinger on the Ploesti Raid. Returning to England, he completed a total of 25 missions by the end of his tour.
Signature Value : £20
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

Tuttle, Richard E
Technical Sergeant Richard E Tuttle
Richard Tuttle trained as a Radio Operator after enlisting in the Army Air Corps a few days before Christmas 1941. After completing his training he was posted to England with the 44th Bomb Group, The Flying Eightballs, part of the 8th Air Force. On 28th June 1943 the Group, under the command of Leon Johnson (who would win the Medal of Honor at Ploesti) arrived in Libya from where he took part in the Ploesti Rai. Returning to England he completed 19 missions before the end of his tour.
Signature Value : £20
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

+ Artist : Anthony Saunders

Signature(s) value alone : £60		£50 Off!Now : £110.00

Quantity:
Limited edition of 25 artist proofs. Paper size 30.5 inches x 23.5 inches (78cm x 60cm) Image size 24 inches x 16 inches (61cm x 41cm)
Cavit, Charles D
Captain Charles D Cavit
Enlisting in the Army Air Corps the month after Pearl Harbor, Charles Cavit trained as a Pilot and was assigned to the 567th Bomb Squadron, 389th Bomb Group in March 1943. Arriving in the UK in July he was immediately dispatched to Libya, detached to the 98th Bomb Group. A Co-Pilot on the Ploesti Raid of 1st August 1943, his first combat mission, his B-24 Jersey Jackass was shot down over Romania. Wounded, he was captured and taken to Bucharest as a PoW.
Signature Value : £20
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

Opsata, Andrew W
Captain Andrew W Opsata
Joining the Army Air Corps in June 1940 and qualifying as a Pilot, Andy Opsata flew B-24 Liberators with the 389th Bomb Group, based in East Anglia in England. On 3rd July the unit flew to a temporary base outside Bengazi, detached to the 98th Bomb Group and he was Pilot of the B-24 named The Stinger on the Ploesti Raid. Returning to England, he completed a total of 25 missions by the end of his tour.
Signature Value : £20
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

Tuttle, Richard E
Technical Sergeant Richard E Tuttle
Richard Tuttle trained as a Radio Operator after enlisting in the Army Air Corps a few days before Christmas 1941. After completing his training he was posted to England with the 44th Bomb Group, The Flying Eightballs, part of the 8th Air Force. On 28th June 1943 the Group, under the command of Leon Johnson (who would win the Medal of Honor at Ploesti) arrived in Libya from where he took part in the Ploesti Rai. Returning to England he completed 19 missions before the end of his tour.
Signature Value : £20
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

+ Artist : Anthony Saunders

Signature(s) value alone : £60		£50 Off!Now : £145.00

Quantity:
Limited edition of 25 remarques. Paper size 30.5 inches x 23.5 inches (78cm x 60cm) Image size 24 inches x 16 inches (61cm x 41cm)
Cavit, Charles D
Captain Charles D Cavit
Enlisting in the Army Air Corps the month after Pearl Harbor, Charles Cavit trained as a Pilot and was assigned to the 567th Bomb Squadron, 389th Bomb Group in March 1943. Arriving in the UK in July he was immediately dispatched to Libya, detached to the 98th Bomb Group. A Co-Pilot on the Ploesti Raid of 1st August 1943, his first combat mission, his B-24 Jersey Jackass was shot down over Romania. Wounded, he was captured and taken to Bucharest as a PoW.
Signature Value : £20
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

Opsata, Andrew W
Captain Andrew W Opsata
Joining the Army Air Corps in June 1940 and qualifying as a Pilot, Andy Opsata flew B-24 Liberators with the 389th Bomb Group, based in East Anglia in England. On 3rd July the unit flew to a temporary base outside Bengazi, detached to the 98th Bomb Group and he was Pilot of the B-24 named The Stinger on the Ploesti Raid. Returning to England, he completed a total of 25 missions by the end of his tour.
Signature Value : £20
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

Tuttle, Richard E
Technical Sergeant Richard E Tuttle
Richard Tuttle trained as a Radio Operator after enlisting in the Army Air Corps a few days before Christmas 1941. After completing his training he was posted to England with the 44th Bomb Group, The Flying Eightballs, part of the 8th Air Force. On 28th June 1943 the Group, under the command of Leon Johnson (who would win the Medal of Honor at Ploesti) arrived in Libya from where he took part in the Ploesti Rai. Returning to England he completed 19 missions before the end of his tour.
Signature Value : £20
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

+ Artist : Anthony Saunders

Signature(s) value alone : £60		£50 Off!Now : £300.00

Quantity:
Limited edition of 10 double remarques. Paper size 30.5 inches x 23.5 inches (78cm x 60cm) Image size 24 inches x 16 inches (61cm x 41cm)
Cavit, Charles D
Captain Charles D Cavit
Enlisting in the Army Air Corps the month after Pearl Harbor, Charles Cavit trained as a Pilot and was assigned to the 567th Bomb Squadron, 389th Bomb Group in March 1943. Arriving in the UK in July he was immediately dispatched to Libya, detached to the 98th Bomb Group. A Co-Pilot on the Ploesti Raid of 1st August 1943, his first combat mission, his B-24 Jersey Jackass was shot down over Romania. Wounded, he was captured and taken to Bucharest as a PoW.
Signature Value : £20
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

Opsata, Andrew W
Captain Andrew W Opsata
Joining the Army Air Corps in June 1940 and qualifying as a Pilot, Andy Opsata flew B-24 Liberators with the 389th Bomb Group, based in East Anglia in England. On 3rd July the unit flew to a temporary base outside Bengazi, detached to the 98th Bomb Group and he was Pilot of the B-24 named The Stinger on the Ploesti Raid. Returning to England, he completed a total of 25 missions by the end of his tour.
Signature Value : £20
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

Tuttle, Richard E
Technical Sergeant Richard E Tuttle
Richard Tuttle trained as a Radio Operator after enlisting in the Army Air Corps a few days before Christmas 1941. After completing his training he was posted to England with the 44th Bomb Group, The Flying Eightballs, part of the 8th Air Force. On 28th June 1943 the Group, under the command of Leon Johnson (who would win the Medal of Honor at Ploesti) arrived in Libya from where he took part in the Ploesti Rai. Returning to England he completed 19 missions before the end of his tour.
Signature Value : £20
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

+ Artist : Anthony Saunders

Signature(s) value alone : £60		£50 Off!Now : £475.00

Quantity:


Some other related items available from this site.

In 1938 Consolidated Aircraft was asked by the USAAC to join in production of Americas only long range 4-engine bomber, the Boeing B-17. However, Mack Laddon, the companys Chief design engineer, convinced the Army that an alternative design, incorporating the high aspect ratio wing design of David Davis, would result in a long range heavy bomber superior to the Boeing B-17. The Army Air Corps contracted with Consolidated to build seven prototypes and these were delivered in 1940 for service trials. Consolidated Aircraft had substantial experience in producing long range flying boats, most notable of which was the PBY Catalina. The B-24 incorporated the distinctive twin tailed design of Consolidateds flying boats, and relative to the older but sleeker B-17 was quite an ugly duckling. Despite its deceiving appearance, the B-24 was produced in greater numbers (18,000) than any other American aircraft during WW II, and proved through experience to be one of the most versatile of all Allied aircraft. Nicknamed the Liberator by the British, the B-24 served in many roles. In addition to its very effective use as a strategic bomber, the aircraft proved very successful in anti-submarine activities, and as a long-haul transport for troops, fuel and supplies. The Liberator was the only American aircraft capable of non-stop transatlantic crossings during the war. First utilized by the French and British, the B-24 is credited for helping the Allies win the war in the Atlantic, where the aircrafts incredible range was an important asset. Germanys 1,200 U-Boats sank over 2,600 Allied ships during the War, and in 1942 and 1943 losses were nearly unsustainable. Until the Liberators arrived, Allied convoys lacked air cover for a 300 mile stretch of the Atlantic, and it was in this area that wolfpacks of U-Boats took a devastating toll. The Liberator was utilized in virtually all theaters of operation during the war. The B-24 was produced in several variants, of which the B-24D was the first to be mass produced. The B-24D was powered by four 1200 HP Pratt and Whitney Twin Wasp 14-cylinder radial engines which incorporated two-stage superchargers. The aircraft had a maximum speed of 303 MPH, and a range of 2,850 miles. Most Liberators were manned by a crew of nine or ten, and typical armament consisted of ten machine guns. With an official bomb capacity of 8,830 pounds the B-24D could pack quite a wallop. In his painting, artist Stan Stokes captures a pair of Liberators returning to base at dusk after a lengthy submarine patrol mission over the Atlantic in 1942.

Liberators by Stan Stokes.		 At first light on August 1st, 1943 a force of 178 B-24 Liberator bombers lifted off dusty airstrips in the Libyan desert. They were to fly a 2000 mile round-trip deep into enemy territory, bomb a heavily defended target, and return to their North African base - without fighter escort. So began one of the bloodiest and heroic missions in the annals of aerial warfare. The target - the oil refineries at Ploesti. One third of Germany's petroleum products were supplied from Ploesti, situated deep in Rumania and well beyond the range of Allied bombers based in England. Deprived of this vital supply of fuel, Germany's mighty war machine would grind to a halt. The high command were aware of this and the installations at Ploesti were defended accordingly. To attack such a heavily defended target with the required degree of accuracy it was necessary to bomb from a perilously low level, a task for which the B-24 was notoriously unsuited. The mission called for inspired leadership, cool determination and courage beyond the call of duty - and all of these were given in plenty. As the first wave of bombers roared into the target, some as low as 50 feet, the German defenses opened up with a barrage of fire. Within moments the entire area erupted with exploding bombs, bursting shells, gushing flames and billowing palls of smoke. One by one the gallant crews took their aircraft through the intense wall of Ack-Ack and 88mm ground fire, and into the burning inferno to deliver their deadly cargo. Of the 178 B-24s dispatched, 52 were lost and all but 35 aircraft suffered damage, one limping home after 14 hours and holed in 365 places. Ploesti witnessed countless acts of heroism, for which the crews received more decorations for bravery than any other mission of the war.

Operation Tidal Wave by Nicolas Trudgian.		A prominent aviator in the Battle of the Atlantic, Terry Bulloch flew B-24 Liberators with No.120 Sqn in an anti-submarine role. Already awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for shooting down two German aircraft in a No.206 Sqn Lockheed Hudson over Dunkirk, he was awarded a Bar to this when he sunk U-boat U-597 in October 1942. After another attack, this time sinking U-132 and damaging U-89, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order, and gained a Bar to this on leaving No.120 Sqn at the end of 1942. Bulloch is seen here on 8th July 1943 in Liberator GR Mk.V BZ721 of No.224 Sqn having completed his hat-trick of U-boat kills, this time sinking U-514 in the Bay of Biscay. This type had been modified by RAF Coastal Command to carry rockets, which Bulloch had used to attack the submarine, finishing it off with depth charges. After the war, Bulloch became an airline pilot, crossing the Atlantic on more than 1,000 occasions. He died in 2014.

Tribute to Terry Bulloch by Ivan Berryman. 		At first light on August 1st, 1943 a force of 178 B-24 Liberator bombers lifted off dusty airstrips in the Libyan desert. They were to fly a 2000 mile round-trip deep into enemy territory, bomb a heavily defended target, and return to their North African base - without fighter escort. So began one of the bloodiest and heroic missions in the annals of aerial warfare. The target - the oil refineries at Ploesti. One third of Germany's petroleum products were supplied from Ploesti, situated deep in Rumania and well beyond the range of Allied bombers based in England. Deprived of this vital supply of fuel, Germany's mighty war machine would grind to a halt. The high command were aware of this and the installations at Ploesti were defended accordingly. To attack such a heavily defended target with the required degree of accuracy it was necessary to bomb from a perilously low level, a task for which the B-24 was notoriously unsuited. The mission called for inspired leadership, cool determination and courage beyond the call of duty - and all of these were given in plenty. As the first wave of bombers roared into the target, some as low as 50 feet, the German defenses opened up with a barrage of fire. Within moments the entire area erupted with exploding bombs, bursting shells, gushing flames and billowing palls of smoke. One by one the gallant crews took their aircraft through the intense wall of Ack-Ack and 88mm ground fire, and into the burning inferno to deliver their deadly cargo. Of the 178 B-24s dispatched, 52 were lost and all but 35 aircraft suffered damage, one limping home after 14 hours and holed in 365 places. Ploesti witnessed countless acts of heroism, for which the crews received more decorations for bravery than any other mission of the war.

Operation Tidal Wave by Nicolas Trudgian.
Signatures on these products
*The value given for each signature has been calculated by us based on the historical significance and rarity of the signature and is for the unmatted version where available. Values of many pilot signatures have risen in recent years and will likely continue to rise as they become more and more rare.
NameInfo


Captain Charles D Cavit
*Signature Value : £20

Editions signed :

Signed limited edition of 350 prints.
Limited edition of 25 artist proofs.
Limited edition of 25 remarques.
Limited edition of 10 double remarques.


Cavit, Charles D
(Captain Charles D Cavit)

Enlisting in the Army Air Corps the month after Pearl Harbor, Charles Cavit trained as a Pilot and was assigned to the 567th Bomb Squadron, 389th Bomb Group in March 1943. Arriving in the UK in July he was immediately dispatched to Libya, detached to the 98th Bomb Group. A Co-Pilot on the Ploesti Raid of 1st August 1943, his first combat mission, his B-24 Jersey Jackass was shot down over Romania. Wounded, he was captured and taken to Bucharest as a PoW.


Captain Andrew W Opsata
*Signature Value : £20

Editions signed :

Signed limited edition of 350 prints.
Limited edition of 25 artist proofs.
Limited edition of 25 remarques.
Limited edition of 10 double remarques.


Opsata, Andrew W
(Captain Andrew W Opsata)

Joining the Army Air Corps in June 1940 and qualifying as a Pilot, Andy Opsata flew B-24 Liberators with the 389th Bomb Group, based in East Anglia in England. On 3rd July the unit flew to a temporary base outside Bengazi, detached to the 98th Bomb Group and he was Pilot of the B-24 named The Stinger on the Ploesti Raid. Returning to England, he completed a total of 25 missions by the end of his tour.


Technical Sergeant Richard E Tuttle
*Signature Value : £20

Editions signed :

Signed limited edition of 350 prints.
Limited edition of 25 artist proofs.
Limited edition of 25 remarques.
Limited edition of 10 double remarques.


Tuttle, Richard E
(Technical Sergeant Richard E Tuttle)

Richard Tuttle trained as a Radio Operator after enlisting in the Army Air Corps a few days before Christmas 1941. After completing his training he was posted to England with the 44th Bomb Group, The Flying Eightballs, part of the 8th Air Force. On 28th June 1943 the Group, under the command of Leon Johnson (who would win the Medal of Honor at Ploesti) arrived in Libya from where he took part in the Ploesti Rai. Returning to England he completed 19 missions before the end of his tour.
Squadrons Related to This Print
98th Bomb Group
Aircraft Related to This Print
Liberator

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