|
Holding the Line - The Battle of Britain by Nicolas Trudgian.
They came across the English Channel at wave top height, their propeller
slipstreams leaving wakes on the surface of the water. Nine Dornier Do17Z
bombers of 9th Staffel, KG76, detailed to attack the RAF airfield at Kenley as
part of Reichsmarshal Gorings prelude to Operation Sealion - the invasion of
Britain. Hitler knew that RAF Fighter Command had to be destroyed in the airand
on the ground if his plans were to succeed, but the German High Command failed
to take into account the resilience of the young Hurricane and Spitfire pilots,
and their determination to hold this last vital line of defence. The Dorniers
were spotted as they approached the English coast, and Hurricanes were scrambled
to intercept. The German bombers cleared the North Downs with feet to spare and
spread out into attack formation as they lined up on the hangars at Kenley. As
they came in over the airfield Hurricanes of 111 Squadron came diving upon them.
Suddenly all hell broke loose. Bombs rained down on to the airfield and
buildings went up in flames. One Dornier was brought down and tow more, badly
damaged by ground fire, were finished off by the Hurricane pilots. Now the chase
was on to catch the others before they could escape back to their base in
Northern France. Only one of the nine Dorniers that set out will return to base
on that 18th day of August, 1940. |
|
|
Holding the Line - The Battle of Britain by Nicolas Trudgian.
They came across the English Channel at wave top height, their propeller slipstreams leaving wakes on the surface of the water. Nine Dornier Do17Z bombers of 9th Staffel, KG76, detailed to attack the RAF airfield at Kenley as part of Reichsmarshal Gorings prelude to Operation Sealion - the invasion of Britain. Hitler knew that RAF Fighter Command had to be destroyed in the airand on the ground if his plans were to succeed, but the German High Command failed to take into account the resilience of the young Hurricane and Spitfire pilots, and their determination to hold this last vital line of defence. The Dorniers were spotted as they approached the English coast, and Hurricanes were scrambled to intercept. The German bombers cleared the North Downs with feet to spare and spread out into attack formation as they lined up on the hangars at Kenley. As they came in over the airfield Hurricanes of 111 Squadron came diving upon them. Suddenly all hell broke loose. Bombs rained down on to the airfield and buildings went up in flames. One Dornier was brought down and tow more, badly damaged by ground fire, were finished off by the Hurricane pilots. Now the chase was on to catch the others before they could escape back to their base in Northern France. Only one of the nine Dorniers that set out will return to base on that 18th day of August, 1940.
Signed limited edition of 600 prints. Image size 26 inches x 16 inches (66cm x 41cm). Price £150.00 Signed by Air Commodore John Ellacombe, Group Captain Alec Ingle (deceased) and Group Captain John Peel (deceased), in addition to the artist.
Limited edition of 60 artist proofs. Image size 26 inches x 16 inches (66cm x 41cm). Price £170.00 Signed by Air Commodore John Ellacombe, Group Captain Alec Ingle (deceased) and Group Captain John Peel (deceased), in addition to the artist.
Limited edition of 100 special artist reserve prints. Image size 26 inches x 16 inches (66cm x 41cm). Price £120.00
** (Ex Display) Signed limited edition of 600 prints. (Two copies reduced to clear) Image size 26 inches x 16 inches (66cm x 41cm). Price £110.00 Signed by Air Commodore John Ellacombe, Group Captain Alec Ingle (deceased) and Group Captain John Peel (deceased), in addition to the artist.
ITEM CODE DHM2054
|
|
Holding the Line by Nicolas Trudgian
- The Signatures
|
 | Air Commodore John Ellacombe CB DFC*
John Ellacombe joined the RAF in 1939 and was posted to 151 Squadron in July 1940, immediately converting to Hurricanes. On 24th August he shot down a He111, but a week later his Hurricane was blown up in combat and he baled out, with burns. Rejoining his squadron a few months later, in February 1941 was posted to 253 Squadron where he took part in the Dieppe operations. On 28th July, flying a Turbinlite Havoc, he probably destroyed a Do217. Converting to Mosquitos, John was posted to 487 Squadron RNZAF, and during the build up to the Normandy Invasion and after, was involved in many ground attacks on enemy held airfields, railways, and other 'targets of opportunity'. He completed a total of 37 sorties on Mosquitos. Flying a de Havilland Mosquito XIII with a devastating set of four 20mm cannon in the nose, John Ellacombe flew deep into occupied France on the night before D-Day searching out and destroying German convoys and railway targets. As the Normandy campaign raged on, 151 Squadron intensified its interdiction sorties - including night attacks on Falaise and the Seine bridges. On August 1st Ellacombe took part in the famous attack by 23 Mosquitoes on the German bar-racks in Poitiers, led by Group Captain Wykeham Barnes. Ellacombe had first joined 151 Squadron during the Battle of Britain, direct from Flying Training School. Within weeks he had scored his first victory but also force landed in a field, having shot down a He 111, and baled out of a blazing Hurricane. He baled out a second time during the Dieppe Raid in 1942 but was picked up safely. Postwar he had a long and successful career in the RAE.
More... |
 | Group Captain Alec Ingle (deceased)
Alec Inle was commissioned in June 1940 and joined 615 Squadron at Drem flying Hurricanes before moving to Croydon during the Battle of Britain. He probably destroyed a Do17 in September; in October he shot down an Me109 and probably two more, and yet another victory in November, at which time he was appointed B Flight Commander. He later commanded 609 Squadron at Manston before leading 124 Wing in 1943 flying Typhoons. He was shot down in September 1943 after his Typhoon blew up in combat with an Fw190. Badly burned, he spent the remainder of the war as a POW in Stalag Luft III. Alec Ingle was awarded the AFC and DFC. Sadly Alec Ingle died on 31st July 1999.
More... |
 | Group Captain John Peel DFC DSO (deceased)
Born 17th October 1911. John Peel is credited with having fired the first shots of the Battle of Britain. In July 1940, he commanded No.145 Sqn destroying one and sharing in the destruction of three German bombers. During the battle of Britain, he damaged or destroyed three enemy aircraft, and was himself shot down, crash landing on the Isle of Wight. After the Battle of Britain he served as a Wing Leader, once more being shot down - this time over the Channel, until in January 1943 he took a job in the Air Ministry, where he served until the end of the war. He died 7th January 2004.
More... |
|
