June
3, 1942. F/Lt. F. Perina of 312 Squadron (Czechoslovak) RAF adds two
victories to his score of FW¬190's over Cherbourg, France.
In the annals of air combat history,
stretching from WWI to WWII, no definitive sacrifice and hardship is
clearer than that of the Polish and Czech airmen who served in air
forces of other countries.
Displaced by the German juggernaut that
rolled firstly through eastern and then western Europe at the
out-break of the second world war, they rallied against the invaders
by fighting with France. When France fell, they joined the last
island of freedom by serving with the RAF in Britain. From 1940
until the Americans showed up in force to join in the fight in 1942,
the outcome for liberty and national existence hung in the balance,
defended only in the air by these few. It became a daily slug-fest,
pitting themselves against a seasoned adversary.
Their history of heroism and fighting
tenacity is legendary. Formed into squadrons, they served honorably
and contributed to the final victory over an equally tenacious and
battle-hardened Luftwaffe. The old adage of 'all gave some, some
gave all,' befits their fighting spirit and supported the impressive
final victory in Europe.
These valiant men would suffer personally
and at great hardship for decades. After the war they were denied
the rewards of participating in the liberation of millions, as their
country fell under the regime of communist oppressive policies.
Their association with the west during the war made them suspect,
with many dying from performing menial tasks or from imprisonment
after long years in mines or gulags.
This does not diminish their record of
service, but rather enhances it that much more, fulfilling their
duty and honor to their country in a time of need. Their
perseverance serves as a shining example to their countrymen today.
In Robert Bailey's combat masterpiece,
COASTAL CONFLICT, a Czech Spitfire unit of the RAF is seen locked in
combat over Cherbourg, France, in June of 1942. Initially assigned
to escort Boston bombers to a French target, they engage in a melee
with attacking German FW190's over the coast. In addition to the
German fighters, the Czech squadron has to worry about erupting
defensive fire from ships and ground defenses.
Serious
collectors will immediately see that this is a UNIQUE release, due
to the rarity of the prominent Czech signatures and several
previously unseen Luftwaffe signatures.
Each edition* of COASTAL
CONFLICT is accompanied by a matching number print of
SPITFIRE WARRIOR.
THE
SIGNATURES:
-
Frantisek Perina
-
Wing
Commander
Frantisek Fajtl
-
Flying
Officer Otto
Spacek
-
Flight
Lieutenant
Miroslav Standera
-
Warrant
Officer Jaroslav
Hofrichter
-
Unteroffizier
Heinz Zimmer
-
Feldwebel
Heckhold Ewald
-
Flight
Sergeant Emil
Bocek
-
Gefreiter
Hans Klecha
-
Unteroffizier
Horst Schubert
-
Leutnant
Theo Nau
-
Lieutenant
Colonel Jiri
Benda
-
Leutnant
Klaus Vollgold
-
Lieutenant
Colonel Vladimir
Palecek
-
Feldwebel
Hans Bachmann
-
Unteroffizier
Fritz Wiener
-
Lieutenant
Colonel Alois
Dubec
-
Warrant
Officer Jaroslav
Vyhnis
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Overall Print Size: 22"
x 31"
Group Edition of 100 prints with 17 signatures: $295
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Overall Print Size: 22"
x 31"
Limited Edition of 100 prints with 5 signatures: $175
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