A Lucky Escape by Ivan Berryman. (B)

Flying low across the North Sea en route to the Sorpe Dam on the night of 16th/17th May 1943 as part of Operation Chastise, Flying Officer Geoff Rice's Lancaster ED936(G) clipped a large wave, ripping the Upkeep bomb from its mountings and pitching the aircraft into the sea. Somehow, in just a split second, Rice managed to haul AJ-H back into the air, but the aircraft had ingested a huge amount of water and, as Rice put his Lancaster into a climb to head back to Scampton, rear gunner Sgt S Burns and his turret were almost swept away as the water rushed to the back of the aircraft. AJ-H returned to Scampton otherwise unscathed and took no further part in the Dams Raids.

Signed by Squadron Leader George L. Johnson DFM
and supplied with the original signatures of :
Flight Sergeant Grant S McDonald RCAF (deceased)
and
Sergeant Frederick E. Sutherland RCAF.

Presentation edition of 2 prints.

Image size 12 inches x 8 inches (31cm x 20cm)