| Aviation artist
Robert Taylor. Aviation art print 'Malta - George Cross' by Robert Taylor
Crucial to the Allies in their battle with the Axis forces in North
Africa, Malta's naval dockyards and airfields provided the only base from
which ships and aircraft could attack the convoys supplying Rommel's
desert forces. The German High Command, fully aware of its
importance, made every effort to bomb the island out of existence.
By April 1942 the RAF was down to just six serviceable Spitfires and
Hurricanes, Allied convoys were being decimated unopposed, and Malta was
in danger of starvation. Two and a half years of relentless bombing
had blitzed the dockyards out of operation, prompting Axis
Commander-in-Chief Field Marshal Kesselring to tell Hitler that Malta was
neutralised. But the Field Marshal failed to take into account the
heroism of a tiny force of RAF fighter pilots, the British Merchant Navy,
the decisive role played by the British aircraft carriers Eagle and
Furious, the American carrier Wasp, and the iron will of the people of
Malta. In the spring of 1942, when Spitfires flown from the decks of
carriers HMS Eagle and USS Wasp, arrived at the island's battered
airstrips, the battle took a new turn. At last, though still heavily
outnumbered, the volunteer pilots from Britain, Australia, America,
Canada, New Zealand and other Commonwealth countries were able to put up a
meaningful defence. Never again would the Axis raids be met only
with token resistance, and gradually the Spitfires began to dominate the
sky above the beleaguered island. They had arrived in the nick of
time.
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©
Copyright
Malta - George Cross by Robert Taylor
Tribute to the gallant pilots who fought against such overwhelming
odds, and the people of Malta, depicts Australian John Bisley of 126
Squadron dog-fighting with an Me109 from JG-53 during one of the intense
aerial battles over Valetta in April 1942. Signed by pilots who fought
and won the Battle of Malta.
The Maltese people had withstood the siege with such resolve, King
George VI, by way of recognition, awarded the island of Malta the George
Cross - the highest decoration for civilian gallantry.
Print order code RT3, please state which edition is
required.
Spitfire Edition - Signed by six pilots.
Edition of 300 price £195 ($295).
Malta Edition - Signed by 9 pilots, edition of
250 plus 25 artists proofs. Companion print HMS Illustrious included.
Print price £250 ($395). Proof price £320 ($500).
George Cross Edition - Signed by 19 pilots,
edition of 150 and includes companion print HMS Illustrious plus two
other prints 'Faith over Mdina' and 'Night Eyes of Malta'. Copy of Flt
Lt Parkinson's wartime diary of Malta. Price £395 ($625). |
| Text for the above print :
Crucial to the Allies in their battle with the Axis forces in North
Africa, Malta's naval dockyards and airfields provided the only base
from which ships and aircraft could attack the convoys supplying
Rommel's desert forces. The German High Command, fully aware of
its importance, made every effort to bomb the island out of
existence. By April 1942 the RAF was down to just six serviceable
Spitfires and Hurricanes, Allied convoys were being decimated unopposed,
and Malta was in danger of starvation. Two and a half years of
relentless bombing had blitzed the dockyards out of operation, prompting
Axis Commander-in-Chief Field Marshal Kesselring to tell Hitler that
Malta was neutralised. But the Field Marshal failed to take into
account the heroism of a tiny force of RAF fighter pilots, the British
Merchant Navy, the decisive role played by the British aircraft carriers
Eagle and Furious, the American carrier Wasp, and the iron will of the
people of Malta. In the spring of 1942, when Spitfires flown from
the decks of carriers HMS Eagle and USS Wasp, arrived at the island's
battered airstrips, the battle took a new turn. At last, though
still heavily outnumbered, the volunteer pilots from Britain, Australia,
America, Canada, New Zealand and other Commonwealth countries were able
to put up a meaningful defence. Never again would the Axis raids
be met only with token resistance, and gradually the Spitfires began to
dominate the sky above the beleaguered island. They had arrived in
the nick of time. |
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