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A powerful print depicting one of the most daring low-level bombing operations of World War IIOPERATION JERICHO-THE JAILBREAKERSby Gerald Coulson
“I thank you in the name of our comrades for the bombardment of the prison. We were not able to save all. Thanks to the admirable precision of the attack the first bomb blew in nearly all doors and 150 prisoners escaped with the help of the civilian population. Of these, 12 were to have been shot on February 19. In addition, 37 prisoners were killed, some of them by German machine-guns, and 50 Germans were also killed.”Resistance Leader Dominique Ponchardier, March 1944
It was January 1944, and the mood in London was somber, as chilling as the cold January air that permeated the damp, dark cells of the Gestapo-held prison in Amiens. Among those incarcerated behind the 3-ft thick, towering prison walls were several hundred members of the French Resistance, all condemned to death for their role in assistingthe Allies. Some had been betrayed, some had already been shot and the future of the others, including two Allied intelligence officers, looked bleak.
London has now received information that more executions were set to be carried out at dawn on Saturday 19 February. The prisoners needed help, and fast, before the entire Resistance movement in northern France, whose involvement was crucial to Allied plans for the forthcoming invasion, was finished.
What followed was one of the most daring low-level bombing operations of World War II; codenamed ‘Operation Jericho’, it would involve a force of 19 de Havilland Mosquito’s. Led by Wg Cdr ‘Black’ Smith, the Mosquitoes of 487 Sqn RNZAF would first breach the 20-ft high outer wall, followed closely by 464 Sqn RAAF – led by Wg Cdr Bob Iredale – whose task was to hit the main building and demolish the guards’ quarters in the hope that the cell doors would be sprung open, allowing the prisoners to make a dash to freedom. The operation, under the command of Gp Capt ‘Pick’ Pickard, required precision flying of the highest order.
If the task ahead wasn’t difficult enough, on the morning of Friday 18 February snow was falling from murky skies as the Mosquitoes left RAF Hunsdon and headed south towards Amiens to liaise with their Typhoon escort en-route.
Gerald Coulson’s powerful painting depicts the moment when Group Captain Pickard, the last over the prison, departs the scene just as the first time-delay bombs begin to explode. Within seconds the walls will be breached, the barracks destroyed and the cell doors flung open as planned, allowing the prisoners to clamber through the debris into the surrounding fields. More than 150 men will escape to re-join the Resistance.
THE ARTIST PROOF SIGNATURES
Published in 1994, the print is personally signed by a staggering collection of seventeen veterans of ‘Operation Jericho’, representing Britain, Australia, Ireland, Canada and New Zealand plus a French resistance veteran who escaped as a result of the raid. This truly remarkable EIGHTEEN signature collector’s piece is a fitting tribute to all those who took part in such a daring mission:
487 Sqn (RNZAF) Aircrew
Wing CommanderL.S“BLACK” SMITHCBE DFC* – Pilot, C.O 487 Sqn / 8 victories
Pilot OfficerMAXWELL SPARKSAFC – Pilot, 487 Sqn
Pilot OfficerARTHUR DUNLOP–Navigator, 487 Sqn
Flight LieutenantBRIAN “TICH” HANAFINDFC –Pilot, 487 Sqn
Pilot OfficerFRANK REDGRAVE–Navigator, 487 Sqn
Pilot OfficerBOB FOWLERDFC RNZAF –Pilot, 487 Sqn
464 Sqn (RAAF) Aircrew
Wing CommanderBOB IREDALEDFC* Croix de Guerre avec Palme – Pilot, C.O 464 Sqn
Flight LieutenantGEOFFREY ATKINS–Navigator, 464 Sqn
Flight LieutenantTOM MCPHEEDFC DFM –Pilot, 464 Sqn
Squadron LeaderIAN MCRITCHIEDFC –Pilot, 464 Sqn
21 Sqn (RAF) Aircrew
Flight Lieutenant“BUCK” TAYLORDFC –Pilot, 21 Sqn
Flight LieutenantARTHUR WHEELERDFC–Pilot, 21 Sqn
140 Wing Master Navigator
Air CommodoreE.B “TED” SISMOREDSO DFC** AFC AE –Navigator 140 Wing
174 Sqn (RAF) Fighter Escort
Flight SergeantFRANK WHEELERDFC – Pilot, 174 Sqn
Flight LieutenantIAN MALLETTAFC –Pilot, 174 Sqn
Pilot OfficerDON BURTONDFC RCAF –Pilot, 174 Sqn
Flying OfficerHARRY MARKBYDFC –Pilot, 174 Sqn
Amien Prison escapeeRAYMOND BONPAS(Fr)
Exclusively limited to just one hundred copies worldwide, this very special Artist Proof edition was published in 1994 but not made available until 2019, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the mission -a stunning collector’s item for aviation and WWII enthusiasts.
Please note:The prints in my store are hand-signed by the veterans involved in thepainting so the signatures are original autographs and not reproductions.The certificate of authenticity is included.CONDITION:My items are guaranteed to be in perfectcondition, any issues are clearly detailed in the description.
SHIPPING:As a long standing aviation art retailer I have shipped countless prints overthe years. My prints are rolled in acid free tissue and shipped in heavy dutytubes, and the shipping isinsured andguaranteed.
Ifyou are interested in more than one item I will always do my best to combinethe shipping to save costs – please just ask.
