No Turning Back by Robert Taylor

On the night of November 3rd, 1943 Flight Lieutenant Bill Reid took his No. 61 Squadron Lancaster off to join a force detailed to attack Dusseldorf, deep in the heart of Germany. Right after crossing the coast of Holland they were attacked by a Me110 night fighter, its gunfire shattering the Lancaster's windscreen and damaging the elevator, making the aircraft difficult to handle. Though wounded in the head, shoulders and hands, after ascertaining his crew was unscathed, mentioning nothing of is injuries, Bill Reid continued towards the target, still over an hour ahead of him. Closer to the target his Lancaster was again attacked, this time by a Focke Wulf 190 which raked the bomber from stem to stern. His navigator was killed, his wireless operator fatally injured, and Bill was again wounded in the attack. Though communications within the aircraft were severed, heating had failed, and only the rear turret remained operative, Bill Reid flew his bucking Lancaster steadily on towards Dusseldorf. Having memorized his course he brought the bomber right over the target with such accuracy the bomb-aimer knew nothing of his captain's injuries or casualties to his comrades. Photographs confirmed the bombs were released right on target.

Growing weak from loss of blood and lapsing into periods of unconsciousness, with the aid of the flight engineer and bomb-aimer, Bill steered the Lancaster towards home navigating by the pole star and moon. Despite the intense cold, they survived a barrage of AA gunfire as they passed over the Dutch coast. As they approached England the captain was revived, took control, and landed safely even though the runway lights were partially obscured by mist, one leg of the damaged undercarriage collapsing as the weight came on. For his tenacity and devotion to duty Bill Reid was decorated with Britain's highest award for gallantry, the Victoria Cross.

Robert Taylor's dramatic reconstruction shows a split-second during Bill Reid's epic flight as the Fw190 flashes past the port side of the mighty Lancaster. His aircraft now crippled and almost defenseless, illuminated by search lights and fires below, thunders on through the hostile night sky over Germany. As a reminder of the heroics of, and a tribute to all the RAF Bomber crews who flew the torturous night raids against Germany during World War II, a group of distinguished RAF World War II bomber crews have joined Bill Reid VC in signing this superb collector edition.

Overall print size: 31 3/4" wide x 23 3/4" high.

Image size: 25" wide x 16" high.

Robert Taylor's limited edition pays tribute to the World War II Bomber Aircrews and is published in conjunction with, and in part to raise funds for The RAF Bomber Command Association.

No Turning Back by Robert Taylor
The Aircrew Edition
600 s/n prints w/FOUR signatures.	US $295
600 s/n prints w/FOUR signatures.
25 Artist's Proofs w/FOUR signatures.	US $500
25 Artist's Proofs w/FOUR signatures.
25 Remarques.	SOLD OUT
The Bomber Command Edition (Issued with matching numbered Companion Print "Crossing the Coast")
200 s/n prints w/EIGHT additional signatures.	SOLD OUT
65 Publisher's Proofs w/NINE additional signatures.	SOLD OUT
25 Publisher's Proof Remarque VC Portfolios w/TEN additonal signatures.	SOLD OUT

Crossing The Coast

The Companion Print initialed by Robert Taylor

An evocative moment captured in a superb oil of a Lancaster from 44 Squadron crossing the English coast, following a raid on Germany.

The original canvas was signed by RAF Bomber Command's wartime Commander in Chief, Sir Arthur Harris, and this can be clearly seen on the print. Each of these companion prints is initialed in pencil by the artist Robert Taylor, and not available individually.

The Signatures

Every print of 'No Turning Back' is signed by Four distinguished pilots who flew with RAF Bomber Command during World War II.

Flight Lieutenant Bill Reid VC
Volunteering for RAF aircrew in 1940, Bill Reid learned to fly in California, training on the Stearman, Vultee and Harvard. After gaining his pilots wings back in England he flew Wellingtons before moving on to Lancasters in 1943. On the night of 3 November 1943, his Lancaster suffered two severed attacks from Luftwaffe night fighters, badly wounding Reid, killing his navigator and radio operator, and severely damaging the aircraft. Bill flew on 200 miles to accurately bomb the target and get his aircraft home. For this act of outstanding courage and determination he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

After recovering from his injuries he flew Lancasters with the famous 617 Squadron, taking part in the D-Day operations. His flying career ended when his Lancaster was hit by a stick of bombs from another aircraft; only he and his radio operator survived. After parachuting he was taken prisoner by the Germans.

Air Commodore Wilf Burnett DSO OBE DFC AFC
Canadian Wilf Burnett joined the RAF before the war and at the outbreak of hostilities was flying Hampdens. He completed his first tour of 30 operations in September 1940, flying with 49 Squadron at Scampton. His crew had bombed invasion barges in the Channel ports, mined enemy waters, operated against the Ruhr, and taken part in the first raids against Berlin. In July 1942, returning from Hamburg, their Hampden crashed in extreme weather. Wilf was the sole survivor, and he was hospitalized. Recovering he was accepted to command 138 (Special Duties) Squadron at Tempsford who were engaged in dropping agents and supplies to the Resistance in occupied countries flying Halifaxes, later Stirlings.

Air Marshal Sir Ivor Broom KCB CBE DSO DFC** AFC
Ivor Broom flew Bristol Blenheims with 114 Squadron before being posted to the beleaguered island of Malta, still flying Blenheims, which were by now obsolete, in highly dangerous, low-level shipping strikes where squadron losses were high. In 1943 he became one of the very first Pathfinder Mosquito instructors before moving into the Late Night Striking Force with 571 Squadron. He later was tasked with forming 163 Squadron. Ivor Broom completed 103 bombing strike missions, including 22 separate attacks on Berlin. He also flew in the Ardennes Offensive. Throughout his time on Mosquitos his navigator was Tommy Broom (no relation), together the "Flying Brooms' were an inseparable combination.

Squadron Leader Tony Iveson DFC AE
Tony Iveson's first tour of duty was with RAF Fighter Command, joining 616 Squadron as a Sergeant pilot at Kenley on 2 September 1940 during the Battle of Britain. Commissioned in 1942, Tony did his second tour with RAF Bomber Command, flying Lancasters with the famous 617 Squadron where he was to become one of that squadron's most prominent and well-respected pilots. He took part in most of 617 Squadron's operations, including all three operations against the German battleship Tirpitz, and other high precision attacks.

The Bomber Command Edition

Just 200 copies of Robert Taylor's print NO TURNING BACK are available, signed by an additional EIGHT Bomber Command Aircrew making a total of TWELVE signatures, and issued with matching numbered Companion Print CROSSING THE COAST.

Flight Sergeant Stan Bradford DFM
Lancaster air gunner Stan Bradford of 57 Squadron was an Ace, shooting down 6 enemy aircraft - the first, an Fw190, on his first operation.

Group Captain Dudley Burnside DSO OBE DFC*
Pilot Dudley Burnside flew Halifaxes with 427 (Lion) Squadron RCAF and later served with 195 Squadron flying Lancasters.

Squadron Leader Lawrence Curtis DFC*
Wireless Operator Lawrence Curtis served with 149, 99, 158 Squadrons before transferring to the Lancasters of 617 Squadron.

Group Captain William Farquharson DFC*
William Farquharson was a pilot with 115 Squadron and flew Lancasters with 195 Squadron.

Flight Lieutenant Robert Knights DSO DFC
Pilot Bob Knights joined 619 Squadron in 1943. Flying Lancasters, in January 1944 he was posted to join 617 Squadron with Leonard Cheshire. He completed a total of 70 ops.

Flight Lieutenant Douglas Newham LVO DFC
Douglas Newham was a navigator with 156 and 150 Squadrons before transferring to the Lancasters of 10 Squadron.

Flight Lieutenant Kenneth Wolstenholme DFC*
Ken Wolstenholme was a pilot first with 107 Squadron flying Blenheims before joining 8 Group Pathfinders flying Mosquitos. He completed 100 ops. After the war he became a famous sports broadcaster with BBC.

Flight Lieutenant Dennis Woolley DFC DFM
Pilot Dennis Woolley flew Lancasters, firstly with 106 Squadron and then later with 83 Squadron.

The Publisher's Proofs signer:

Air Chief Marshal Sir Lewis Hodges KCB CBE DSO DFC
Lewis Hodges flew with 49 Squadron from June 1940 until he was shot down over occupied France in September 1940 and taken prisoner by the Vichy French. He managed to escape and made his way back to England, rejoining 49 Squadron. He took part in the attacks against the German Channel Dash operation in February 1942. In November of that year he joined 161 (Special Duties) Squadron, flying Halifaxes, Lysanders and Hudsons landing and parachuting agents into German occupied territory. He became Air Chief Marshal in 1970.

Publisher's Proof Remarque signer:

Wing Commander Roderick Learoyd VC
On the day that war was declared Rod Learoyd was on patrol flying Hampdens with 49 Squadron. Continually involved with low-level bombing, on the night of 12 August 1940, he and four other aircraft attempted to breach the heavily defended Dortmund - EMS canal. For his supreme courage that night he was awarded the Victoria Cross. He later joined 44 Squadron with the first Lancasters, and then commanded 83 Squadron.