Flight Against The Bismarck

70th Anniversary Tribute
to Swordfish Aircrew

by Philip E. West

Approx. Overall print size 16” x 26” / 40cms x 66cms.

The Royal Navy's week long chase of the formidable German battleship
Bismarck culminated in the foul evening weather of 26th May 1941. Despite
the deck of HMS Ark Royal pitching through 55 feet, S/Lt John Moffat was
one of fifteen Swordfish pilots who took off to attack Bismarck. After 90
minutes of arduous and turbulent flying the Swordfish found their quarry
and dived through the intense anti-aircraft fire to drop their torpedoes.
One of these hit and jammed Bismarck's rudder and condemned the battleship
to sail in slow circles. The Royal Navy's own capital ships then closed in
and pounded Bismarck into a burning wreck.

This is only one example of heroic acts by the many Swordfish crew who flew and fought so valiantly for their Queen and country throughout WW2. Most of which has gone unrecognised.

Five Swordfish pilots, one of whom will be John Moffat - whose aircraft is depicted in the picture, will sign all Artist Proofs and Remarqued prints. Other pilots will have been involved in the Malta Campaign and one pilot who flew Swordfish from converted oil tankers in the North Atlantic on convoy protection duties against German U-Boats.


Sub. Lt. Stanley Brand RNVR (Pilot)	Lieut. Norman Gillis RNVR (Pilot)	Sub. Lt. John Moffat RNVR (Pilot)	Commander Sidney H. Suthers DSC, DFC (Pilot)	Lt. Cdr. Bruce Vibert (Pilot)

For biographical details please click here.

Very Restricted Edition
Highly Recommended

• signed by three pilots. ** signed by five pilots.

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