A Stunning Tribute to the Pilots who fought against overwhelming odds in the Battle of Britain

DECISIVE BLOW
By Anthony Saunders
The Collectors Edition

Pilot Officer Geoffrey Wellum of 92 Squadron banks his fighter away to port moments after sharing in the destruction of a Ju88 of KG77 over the Medway Estuary, east of the City of London.  It was just one of more than 50 German aircraft destroyed by the RAF during the day.

The Luftwaffe had done everything in its power to pummel London into submission but they failed. By the end of September 1940 their losses were mounting.  For weeks since the early days of September, London had been the main target for the Luftwaffe and during that time Luftwaffe High Command had grown increasingly despondent as their losses steadily mounted. Far from being on the brink of collapse RAF Fighter Command, though vastly outnumbered, had shown an incredible resilience. 

The fighting had reached a dramatic climax on Sunday 15 September when, bloodied and bruised, the Luftwaffe had lost the upper hand on a day of intense combat that had culminated with a humiliating retreat. Almost every day that had passed since then had seen the Luftwaffe do everything in its power to pummel London and regain the initiative, but the daylight raids were becoming increasingly costly. 

On Friday 27 September, 80 days after the Battle of Britain had officially begun, the Luftwaffe came once more, this time concentrating on the fastest bombers they had – Ju88s and Bf110s. And they came in force, principally targeting London and Bristol.

Anthony Saunders’ superb painting depicts one of these raids, this time by bombers from KG77 as they head over the Medway Estuary, east of the City of London, in an attempt to attack the capital’s warehouses and docks. Among the many units defending the capital that day was 92 Squadron from Biggin Hill and Anthony portrays the Spitfire of Pilot Officer Geoffrey Wellum in his dramatic piece. 

THE COLLECTORS EDITION SIGNATURES
Joining artist Anthony Saunders in signing this print are three highly distinguished Spitfire Pilots who flew in the Battle of Britain:

Flying Officer KEN WILKINSON
Flying Spitfires throughout the Battle of Britain, he was first with 611 Sqn then 616 Sqn at Kirton-in-Lindsey and finally with 19 Sqn at Fowlmere as part of the Duxford Big Wing, under the command of Douglas Bader.  After a spell instructing he returned to combat operations, again on Spitfires, this time with 234 and 165 Sqns.  He finished the war serving with 53, 24 and 10 Operational Training Units. 

Squadron Leader GEOFFREY WELLUM DFC
Joining the RAF in 1939 he flew Spitfires during the Battle of Britain with 92 Squadron, scoring one victory over a He111 and sharing in the destruction of a Ju88, which is depicted in the painting Decisive Blow.  In 1942, he joined 65 Squadron and then 145 Squadron in Malta, flying off HMS Furious during Operation Pedestal before returning to the UK to become a Test Pilot on Typhoons, finishing the war with 3 victories. 

Wing Commander JOHN 'TIM' ELKINGTON 
Commissioned on July 14, 1940, Elkington was posted to 1 Squadron flying Hurricanes the following day.  On August 15 he scored a victory over a Bf109 but was shot down the next day and hospitalized and, after recovering, had spells flying with 601 and 134 Squadrons.  He later served with the Merchant Ship Fighter Unit and a Turbinlite Flight before being posted to 197 Squadron flying Typhoons.  In 1943 he joined 67 Squadron and was posted to India. 

ALSO AVAILABLE FRAMED & SHIPPED - Please ask for details

We are happy to combine shipping on multiple purchases and always refund any over payment.

BUY WITH CONFIDENCE: We have been in business for over 30 years and our items are guaranteed to be in perfect condition, unless specified otherwise.

SHIPPING: Larger prints are rolled in acid free tissue and shipped in large, heavy duty shipping tubes with smaller prints 'flat packed' in custom made packaging. Matted & framed pieces are packed in our custom made boxes. Our shipping is insured and guaranteed.

YOUR PIECE OF MIND: As a reputable company, if any issues do arise we don't expect our customers to deal with it. So if there are any problems such as with condition, delivery or damages then we will take care of it with a replacement, store credit or your money back.

Please note: The signatures on our pieces are not reproductions; they are original autographs, hand-signed by the veterans involved.