Primary Target

Image Overall print size approx: 33" x 23”

In 1943, the RAF's 617 Squadron set out to destroy three dams in Germany's Ruhr valley. They managed to breach two, giving a boost to Britain's war effort.

On 16 May 1943, 19 aircraft set out to destroy the Mohne, Eder and Sorpe dams in Germany's industrial heartland. They used specially-designed drum-shaped bouncing bombs which skimmed across the water, rolled down the dam wall and exploded at depth. Only 11 of the aircraft returned from the perilous low-level mission in which they flew at just 150ft all the way from England before descending for the bombing run to defeat the German radar.
It resulted in the largest awarding of medals at any one time during the war. The bouncing bombs were the brainchild of legendary aviation engineer Sir Barnes Wallis, who was knighted in 1968.

“Primary Target" depicts the final seconds on 17th May 1943 as the bouncing bomb of Flight Lt. Maltby's Lancaster Squadron breached the giant Mohne dam.

The Artist Proof and Remarque Editions have been signed by the artist and the following men……….all very rare signatures.

George Chalmers DFC, DFM (flew on AJ-O), Sqn. Ldr. Jerry Fray DFC (Spitfire PRU pilot who took the aerial photos of the dams before and after the raids), Cpl. Ron Barton - fitter for 617 Sqn. Lancasters, Harold Roddis, Flight Mechanic for Geoff Rice and Guy Gibson; Victor Gill, Flight Mechanic for Bill Astell and 'Dinghy Young, and Richard Todd OBE who played W/Cdr. Guy Gibson in the legendary film,
"The Dam Busters."

Primary edition : 350 £175

70 Artist proofs £245

65 Remarques £395

380 Artist signed £125

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