Escort for the
Straggler. Secondary market aviation art print by Aviation artist
Robert Taylor. Aviation art print 'Escort for the Straggler' by Robert Taylor.On
April 25th 1945, the RAF despatched over 300 Lancasters to attack 'The
Eagle's Nest', Hitler's private mountain top castle at Berchstegaden.
It was a symbolic raid, for the war was almost over, but it seemed
appropriate that, after almost six years of continual combat, crews of the
Royal Air Force should be allowed this almost final gesture of the air war
in Europe. After the Spitfires and Hurricanes of Hugh Dowding's
Fighter Command had won the Battle of Britain, and gained vital air
supremacy, Arthur Harris' Bomber Forces were able to mount the systematic
devastation of Germany's mighty war machine, which in turn paved the way
for the D-Day invasion, and the final liberation of Nazi dominated
Europe. The Lancaster had become the mainstay of RAF Bomber Command,
and its crews were typically representative of the men who had fought the
six year aerial campaign in Europe,. Every one a volunteer, they
came from Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Rhodesia,
and many European countries under the threat of Nazi rule.
Magnificently brave, they endured overwhelming odds, frightening losses,
and some of the worst flying conditions imaginable, never flinching in
their task until victory was finally achieved. Their valiant
efforts, together with the legendary exploits of the pilots of RAF Fighter
Command, led the way towards Victory in Europe. Two aircraft, above
all others, came to symbolise the deeds of the men and machines of the
Royal Air Force : the Spitfire, magnificent in defence, lethal in attack,
and the mighty Lancaster, the awesome heavy bomber that took the war to
the heart of Nazi Germany.
On occasions, secondary market copies do appear and
we recommend visiting the websites shown below. Also shown will be
other aviation art prints of Spitifres and Lancasters with signatures,
well worth a look
