Malta - George Cross by Robert Taylor

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.

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

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.	US $500

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Group 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.

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

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.

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.

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.

In the George Cross Edition all copies of the main print Malta - George Cross are additionally signed by the following four signatories.

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.

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.

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.