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Malta
- George Cross
Robert Taylor
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Commemorating
the 60th Anniversary of the Battle of Malta.
Pilot Officer John Bisley of 126 Squadron
in combat with Me 109s from JG-53 during one of the intense
aerial air battles over Valetta in April 1942. Between the
summer of 1940 and the end of 1942, Malta became one of the
most bombed places on earth. The RAF’s desperate fight
to retain control of the diminutive Mediterranean island,
and the defiant courage of the people of Malta, is one of
the epic stories of World War Two.
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 neutralized.
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
defense. 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.
Robert Taylor's magnificent 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 air battles over Valetta in April
1942. Each print in Robert's important commemorative edition
is signed by pilots who fought and ultimately won the historic
Battle of Malta.
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Overall size:
33" wide x 24" high.
Image size: 26 3/4" wide x 16"
high.
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. Such was the sacrifice
made by the people of this tiny island.
| Malta
- George Cross by Robert
Taylor |
| The Spitfire
Edition Individually numbered
1 - 300 (Signed by Six Pilots who flew Spitfires in defence
of Malta.) |
| 300 s/n prints w/SIX signatures. |
US $295 |
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| The Malta
Edition Individually numbered
1 - 250 (Issued with Companion print: 'HMS Illustrious’
signed by three additional pilots.
Total of NINE signatures.) |
| 250 Malta Edition s/n prints. |
SOLD OUT |
| 25 Malta Edition Artist
Proofs. |
SOLD OUT |
| 25 Malta Edition Remarques. |
SOLD OUT |
| George
Cross Edition Individually
numbered 1 - 150 (Issued with signed Companion print:
'HMS Illustrious’
plus two extra prints ‘Faith
over Mdina’ and
‘Night Eyes of Malta’,
extra signatures on the main print Malta GC, a signed
facsimile copy of Flt Lt Parkinson’s wartime diary
of Malta. Total of Nineteen signatures. |
| 150 George Cross Edition s/n prints. |
SOLD OUT |
Specially commissioned to support
the Spitfire Memorial Defense Fellowship at the Australian
Defense Force Academy and the University of New South Wales
in Sydney, and commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the award
of the George Cross to the island of Malta.
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The Spitfire Edition
The Spitfire Edition is signed
by SIX highly decorated pilots who flew Spitfires
in defense of Malta, five of which are the only surviving
Spitfire pilots who made Ace defending Malta, with
Art Roscoe being the only surviving American pilot
from the siege.
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Flight
Lieutenant Ken Evans
DFC
Joining the RAF in 1939, Ken Evans
was posted to 600 Squadron, where he flew Blenheims and Beaufighters
on night operations until June 1941. In September he was posted
to 130 Squadron on day-fighters, and in early 1942 was ordered
to Malta. He flew his Spitfire off HMS Eagle on 18 May and
joined 126 Squadron. Seeing much action over the island in
June and July, he was credited with 4 and 2 shared victories,
plus 3 other aircraft probably destroyed, then commissioned
and awarded the DFC. Posted back to England as an instructor,
in September 1943 he transferred to 165 Squadron as a flight
commander.
Flight Lieutenant Ian
Maclennan DFM
Canadian Ian Maclennan joined the
RCAF in October 1940, arriving in England in August 1941.
He joined 610 Squadron in February 1942, then 401 Squadron,
where he destroyed a Fw190. Posted to Malta; he flew his Spitfire
off HMS Eagle on 9 June, and shortly after transferred to
1435 Flight. On Malta he claimed 7 victories and was awarded
the DFM. He was commissioned, becoming a flight commander
in November. In December he returned to England. In February
1944 he joined 443 Squadron as a flight commander. On 7 June
he was hit by ground fire whilst covering the Normandy beaches,
crash-landed, and was taken POW.
Flight Lieutenant Colin
Parkinson DFC
Australian Colin Parkinson joined
the RAAF in 1940, arriving in England to join 19 Squadron
flying Spitfires. In March 1942 he shot down a Do217. In May
he was posted to Malta, flying his Spitfire off HMS Eagle
on 9 June, with 603 Squadron. After scoring several victories
he flew to Gibraltar to lead in further Spitfires, taking
off from HMS Furious to the island on 17 August. Commissioned,
he now flew with 229 Squadron. On 9 October, with 'Winco'
Donaldson and 'Screwball' Beurling, he performed a low-level
beat-up and acrobatics over the presentation of the George
Cross to the people of Malta. He ended his tour of Malta in
November 1942 with the DFC and 10.5 victories, plus probably
2 more. |
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Flight
Lieutenant Jack Rae
DFC*
New Zealander Jack Rae joined the
RNZAF in September 1940, was posted to England and joined
485 Squadron RNZAF. He claimed 2 victories before being posted
to 603 Squadron. With this unit he flew his Spitfire off USS
Wasp to Malta, on 20 April 1942. After being shot down over
the island, he was posted to 249 Squadron. During the following
weeks he saw much action, claiming 4 and one shared by the
end of July. Posted back to the UK, he returned to combat
flying in May 1943, rejoining 485 Squadron. He rapidly scored
further victories, but on 22 August just after downing a Fw190,
his engine failed forcing him to land in France where he was
taken POW. His final tally stood at 12 victories and 8 probables.
Squadron Leader Arthur
Roscoe DFC
American Art Roscoe joined the RAF
in February 1941, through the Clayton Knight Committee that
was recruiting American civilian pilots for the RAF. Arriving
in England he joined 71 'Eagle' Squadron, where he made his
first claims. In June 1942 he volunteered for service on Malta
and flew off the carrier HMS Furious on 11 August to join
229 Squadron. During his final combat on 12 October he was
shot down, wounded, and evacuated from the island in a Liberator,
which in turn crashed on landing at Gibraltar. On recovery,
he was posted to join 165 Squadron, then 242 Squadron, and
in May 1944 was given command of 232 Squadron. He had destroyed
4 enemy aircraft and probably 3 more.
Flight Lieutenant Allan
Scott DFM
Allan Scott joined the RAF in March
1941, joining 124 Squadron in October, where he made his first
claims. Ordered to Malta, he flew his Spitfire off HMS Eagle
to the island on 21 July. Initially posted to 603 Squadron,
he went to 1435 Squadron, seeing much action - including a
victory during Operation Pedestal on 13 August. He remained
with this unit until December 1942. Whilst on Malta he was
credited with at least 5 destroyed and a further 2 probables,
and received the DFM. Returning to the UK he was commissioned
in January 1943. In September he was posted to join 122 Squadron,
and after D-Day to a MU unit. His final tally was 6 victories. |
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The
Malta Edition
The Malta Edition has all six signatures
of the 'Spitfire' edition, but in addition is issued with
a full color matching numbered companion print of the aircraft
carrier HMS 'Illustrious' in Grand Harbor, Malta, 1943. This
companion print is signed by three fighter pilots who flew
with the RAF, and Fleet Air Arm from carriers of the Royal
Navy, in the defense of Malta and the Malta convoys, providing
a total of NINE signatures in this edition.
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Captain Billy Drake
DSO DFC*
One of the Allies most outstanding
Aces, Billy Drake flew in Malta commanding the Krendi
Spitfire Wing, scoring the last of his 24 ½ victories,
over a MC202, on 7 July 1943. Previously he had flown
Hurricanes with 1 Squadron in France, scoring his first
victory in May 1940, and Spitfires with 421 Flight during
the Battle of Britain. Posted to command 112 Squadron
in the Western Desert in April 1942, flying P40 Kittyhawks,
he led them with great success, accumulating at least
15 victories, including 1 kill over a Malta convoy.
After Malta he commanded 20 Typhoon Wing.
Commander Mike
Crosley DSC* Royal Navy
Fleet Air Arm Ace Mike Crosley
joined the carrier HMS Eagle in late 1941, one of four
FAA pilots flying Sea Hurricanes in defense of the Malta
convoys, scoring 2 victories. In August 1942, during
Operation Pedestal, he was lucky to escape with his
life after the carrier was torpedoed and sunk by U73.
She capsized within 7 minutes. He later joined HMS Biter
flying Sea Hurricanes in Operation Torch, and Seafires
during D-Day. Appointed CO of 880 Squadron FAA, he finished
the war in the Far East, with 5 ½ victories.
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Lieutenant
Commander Peter Twiss
OBE DSC Royal Navy
Peter Twiss flew Fulmars with
the Fleet Air Arm off HMS Ark Royal, until the carrier
was sunk in the Mediterranean. He then flew with 807
Squadron FAA from the carrier HMS Furious during the
defense of the Malta convoys. In 1943 he commanded the
first Seafire Squadron during Operation Torch - the
Allied landing in North Africa. A test pilot after the
war, in 1966 he held the world speed record flying a
Fairy Delta 2.
The Malta
Edition Companion Print
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The
George Cross Edition
Just 150 copies of this very unique edition
are issued with all the components of the Malta Edition with,
in addition, matching numbered pilot-signed companion prints
'Faith over Mdina' and 'Night Eyes of Malta', four extra signatories
on the main print Malta - George Cross, and a signed facsimile
copy of Flt. Lt. Parkinson's wartime diary of Malta. A total
of Nineteen highly distinguished signatures, making this one
of the most collectable editions yet.
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| Faith
Over Mdina
Gloster Sea Gladiator
N5520 'Faith' flies over Mdina, the ancient capital of Malta.
Prints signed by TWO
pilots who flew the famous Gladiators in Malta.
Flight Lieutenant Charles
Palliser DFC
Joining the RAFVR in 1939, Charles
Palliser joined 17 Squadron in August 1940 during the Battle
of Britain, moving to 43 Squadron and then 249 Squadron on
14 September. The following day he made the first of 8 claims,
before being transferred to Malta with this unit. He flew
his Hurricane to Malta off HMS Ark Royal on 21 May 1941. Here
he made 5 further claims, and on 27 November flew Gladiator
'Faith' on a met flight. In January 1942 he was posted to
605 Squadron as a flight commander. He left the island in
February 1942 as one of the Island's longest serving pilots.
Flight Lieutenant James
Pickering AFC
Jim Pickering joined the RAFVR in
1937, and was attached to 769 Squadron FAA, then 804 Squadron
FAA. In June 1940 he returned to the RAF and flew Spitfires
with 64 Squadron during the Battle of Britain. With 418 Flight
Jim flew Hurricanes to Malta from HMS Argus on 2 August 1940.
This flight was to reinforce Malta's handful of outdated Gladiator's
and few surviving Hurricanes and on 16 August was amalgamated
to become 261 Squadron. With this unit Jim flew Hurricanes
and at least five operations in the legendary Gladiators,
which have been immortalized as 'Faith', 'Hope', and 'Charity'.
In April 1941 Jim was posted, first to Egypt, then 80 Squadron
in October 1942, and 145 Squadron in December. He returned
to the UK in 1943. |
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Night
Eyes Of Malta
Mk IF Beaufighter X7702-T.
Prints signed by the highest
scoring Malta night fighting team and RCAF night fighting
team of World War II; and by the highest scoring RAAF night
fighter pilot; also by the highest Allied radar operator of
World War II.
Wing Commander Moose
Fumerton DFC* AFC and
Squadron Leader Pat
Bing DFC*
Canadian Moose Fumerton flew in the
Battle of Britain with 32 Squadron before joining 1 RCAF Squadron.
Converting to night fighting, he flew successfully in Egypt
with 89 Squadron. In June 1942 he and his radar operator Sgt.
L.P.S. Bing flew with the squadron detachment to Malta. Here
they were rapidly to become the island's top-scoring night
fighter team with 9 victories, Fumerton receiving the DFC
and bar, and Bing the DFC and bar and a commission. On his
second tour Fumerton commanded 406 Squadron on Mosquitoes,
where he claimed the last of his 14 victories.
Flight Lieutenant Merv
Shipard DFC* and
Wing Commander Doug
Oxby DSO DFC DFM*
In August 1941 Australian Merv Shipard
was posted to 68 Squadron, along with his radar operator Douggie
Oxby (later to become the RAF's top-scoring radar operator,
assisting in 22 kills), here they scored their first victory.
In early 1942 they were posted to Egypt to join 89 Squadron,
before being sent to Malta on 22 June, where they quickly
scored six confirmed kills, and probably one more. They then
claimed 6 kills in North Africa. Douggie Oxby went on to serve
with Peter Green, and Merv Shipard was posted back to Australian,
he had achieved 13 confirmed victories.
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the George Cross Edition all copies of the main print Malta
- George Cross are additionally signed by the following four
signatories.
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Squadron
Leader 'Bam' Bamberger
DFC*
Scoring
the first of his five victories flying Spitfires in the Battle
of Britain with 610 Squadron, in October 1940 he volunteered
for Malta. 'Bam' flew a Hurricane off HMS Argus to the island
on 17 November, joining 261 Squadron. He shot down two Ju87s
in successive days over Grand Harbor in January 1941, before
being posted to 185 Squadron, and returned to England in May.
The following year he joined 93 Squadron in Tunisia where he
made further claims. Air Marshal
Sir Ivor Broom KCB
CBE DSO DFC** AFC
Ivor Broom joined 114 Squadron as
a Sergeant flying Blenheims. Arriving in Malta en-route to
Singapore in September he was seconded to the Island's Blenheim
force, flying low-level shipping strikes. After six weeks
the unit's losses were so great that he was commissioned in
the field. In 1943 he became one of the first Pathfinder Mosquito
instructors, before joining 571 Squadron in the Late Night
Striking Force. He later formed 163 Squadron. Ivor Broom completed
103 bombing missions.
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Squadron Leader
Brian Hanafin DFC
Joining 105 Squadron flying Blenheims,
in July 1941 'Titch' Hanafin was posted to Malta, under the
command of Hughie Edwards VC. They carried out many low-level
shipping strikes in an attempt to halt supplies to Rommel in
North Africa. In November 1942 he joined 487 Squadron RNZAF,
carrying out attacks on V-1 sites. On 18 February 1944 he led
the second flight of 487 Squadron assigned to attack the Amiens
Prison, and in October piloted the F.P.U. Mosquito on the Aarhus
Gestapo raid in Denmark. Squadron
Leader Keith Lawrence
DFC
Seeing action during the Battle of
Britain, on 26 November he was shot down over the sea. Recovering
from his injuries he was posted to Malta in January 1942 joining
185 Squadron, flying Hurricanes. During the heavy fighting
that spring he destroyed or damaged 7 enemy aircraft. The
squadron converted to Spitfires, and he was made commanding
officer, returning to England in August. He returned to combat
in February 1945 as CO of 124 Squadron. His tally stood at
5 victories and 9 damaged. |
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| Flight
Lieutenant C. H. Parkinson DFC
Malta Diary
24th May 1942 - 14th November
1942
"this afternoon F/Lt. Roscoe was shot
down, crash landed at Ta-Kali. His kite was on fire. He was
shot through the shoulder and weak from loss of blood. Was
thrown out of a/c unconscious. Broken shoulder, probably broken
arm, cuts on face. Otherwise O. K. The boys knocked a few
more down this afternoon."
Published exclusively as part of The George
Cross Edition, this personal account from the wartime diary
of Flight Lieutenant Colin Parkinson, describes in explicit
detail the horrors and hardships faced by the pilots during
those desperate days of fighting through 1942. Un-abridged,
and reproduced complete with facsimile 'Oxford' blue hard
cover and gold leaf, this diary is not available anywhere
else. A 'must have' for the enthusiast collector. |
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