Operation Cerberus –
The Channel Dash
by Philip West
The
Channel Dash (officially known as Operation Cerberus) was
one of three operations during the Second World War for which
the Swordfish was to become the most famous. Heavily outgunned
in the Straits of Dover on this day in February 1942 by the
German warships Scharnhorst, Gneisenau and Prinz Eugen, with
their accompanying flotilla of destroyers and motor torpedo
boats, and with top cover provided by deadly fighter aircraft
of the Luftwaffe, all six Fleet Air Arm Swordfish were shot
down. Only five of the eighteen aircrew survived. Here we
see the Swordfish flown by Sub. Lt. Kingsmill and Sub. Lt.
Samples with PO Bunce in the rear, fighting for their lives
with his machine gun.
The bravery
of the Swordfish aircrew in this and all other operations
is a matter of history and must never be forgotten.
The
Signatories
Signed and Numbered
Signed by
C.P.O. Donald Bunce
(Shot down in the attack)
Artist
Proofs
Signed
by
Capt. AWF Sutton CBE DSC*
Lt. Cdr. Edgar Lee
Lieut. NC Gillis
Sub. Lt. Stanley Brand
(4 signatures)
|
Print size: 26.5 x 16.5ins approx
Signed
and Numbered
|
Edition
size: 100 |
Price: £95.00 |
| Artist
Proof |
Edition
size: 50 |
Price: £125.00 |
PRINT
TERMINOLOGY
- see below |
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