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A Welcome at the Inn by Nicolas Trudgian.
The USAAF bomber bases of WWII were situated in the heart of rural England.
Surrounded by countryside and pretty villages, it took the crews little time to
become regulars at the nearest village inn, where traditionally there was Open
House to American servicemen. A few convivial hours at the pub after a gruelling
mission provided a welcome escape from the rigours of combat flying. Today, 50
years on, most of those local pubs are still there, serving up that unique brand
of British hospitality which is so cherished in the memories of the USAAF
aircrews. Never was the welcome at the inn more warmly appreciated than on
Christmas Eve 1944. General Von Rundstedt had launched a massive offensive in
the Ardennes, and the situation was critical. The Eight Air Force was called
upon to mount its largest single operation of the war, and on that day over 2000
American bombers climbed into the cold air and headed for the battlefields.
After fighting their way through to the target, neutralising enemy airfields,
and pounding highways and railtracks, the elated crews headed home only to find
the gathering mists wirling around their bases. After landing and debriefing,
they were in the modd to party down at the village inn. And they did! A
wonderfully nostalgic rendering of B-17s returning over a Suffolk village on
that memorable Christmas Eve. His painting will bring back nostalgic memories to
thousands of American servicemen who spent Christmas away from home, so long
ago. |
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A Welcome at the Inn by Nicolas Trudgian.
The USAAF bomber bases of WWII were situated in the heart of rural England. Surrounded by countryside and pretty villages, it took the crews little time to become regulars at the nearest village inn, where traditionally there was Open House to American servicemen. A few convivial hours at the pub after a gruelling mission provided a welcome escape from the rigours of combat flying. Today, 50 years on, most of those local pubs are still there, serving up that unique brand of British hospitality which is so cherished in the memories of the USAAF aircrews. Never was the welcome at the inn more warmly appreciated than on Christmas Eve 1944. General Von Rundstedt had launched a massive offensive in the Ardennes, and the situation was critical. The Eight Air Force was called upon to mount its largest single operation of the war, and on that day over 2000 American bombers climbed into the cold air and headed for the battlefields. After fighting their way through to the target, neutralising enemy airfields, and pounding highways and railtracks, the elated crews headed home only to find the gathering mists wirling around their bases. After landing and debriefing, they were in the modd to party down at the village inn. And they did! A wonderfully nostalgic rendering of B-17s returning over a Suffolk village on that memorable Christmas Eve. His painting will bring back nostalgic memories to thousands of American servicemen who spent Christmas away from home, so long ago.
Signed limited edition of 600 prints. Paper size 30 inches x 23 inches (76cm x 58cm). Price £ Signed by Colonel George P Birdsong, Captain Vernon L Grim, Captain James A Myl and Major Robert Simpson.
Limited edition of 60 artist proofs. Paper size 30 inches x 23 inches (76cm x 58cm). Price £300.00 Signed by Colonel George P Birdsong, Captain Vernon L Grim, Captain James A Myl and Major Robert Simpson.
Limited edition of 75 publishers proofs. Paper size 30 inches x 23 inches (76cm x 58cm). Price £275.00 Signed by Colonel George P Birdsong, Captain Vernon L Grim, Captain James A Myl and Major Robert Simpson.
Nicolas Trudgian Promotional Flyer. Half A4 Size Double Sheet 6 inches x 8 inches (15m x 21cm). Price £1.50
ITEM CODE DHM2660
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A Welcome at the Inn by Nicolas Trudgian
- The Signatures
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Colonel George P Birdsong
George Birdsong arrived in England in the Fall of 1942, assinged to 323rd Squadron of the 91st Bomber Group. - The Ragged Irregulars. He flew his first combat mission on 14th November 1942, flying his B17 out of Bassingbourne. On 4th March 1942, George took part in the famous raid on Hamm, the 91st being the first group to attack a target on the Ruhr. His aircraft - Delta Rebel #2 - made claim to being the first US bomber in World War II to complete 25 combat sorties.
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Captain Vernon L Grim
After joining the service in 1942, Vernon's operational squadron in England was the 407 Sqn, 92nd Bomb Group, based at Poddington, the oldest group in the ETO. Flying the B17 he participated in many of the major raids over Germany, including 4 missions to Berlin, and in the D-Day operations in occupied Europe. Later, losing an engine over Hamburg, he was glad of the help from two P38s who escorted him all the way back to England.
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Captain James A Myl
Jim Myl joined the USAAF in 1942. Assigned to the 511th B.S., 351st B.G., he flew his first B17 combat mission in June 1944. On 4th August he brought his badly mauled B17 safely home from Berlin, but three days later, returning from Munich, he was hit again. With his aircraft in flames, he and his crew bailed out into the North Sea, six miles from England. He and six survivors were rescued y an RAF Air Sea Search launch. He completed his tour in just 72 operational days, the fastest tour in the 8th Air Force.
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Major Robert Simpson
Signing up in June 1941, Robert Simpson served both in Europe and the South Pacific. Initially with the 42nd Sqn, 11th B.G., 7th Air Force in the South Pacific, his first landing in a B17 was on a steel strip in a coconut grove. After participating in the bitter battles of the Solomons and at Guadalcanal, he transferred to Europe joining the 8th Air Force in England for the battle against Germany. During World War Two he flew both the B17 and B24.
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