A Wing and a Prayer by Ivan Berryman. (B)

The Dams raids on the night of 16/17 May 1943 were notable not least for the incredible ingenuity shown by the Lancaster crews in their efforts to avoid detection by the enemy en route to their targets. P/O W C Townsend elected to fly his aircraft, ED886(G) O for Orange below tree-top height through a forest firetrap on his way to the Ennepe Dam, a feat carried out by moonlight alone. AJ-O made it successfully to its target where the Upkeep bomb was observed to hit the dam, but with no effect. Townsend returned to base at this perilous altitude, the crew observing that flak shells were bouncing off the sea in the German gunners' efforts to prevent the Lancaster's escape across the North Sea. AJ-O was one of eleven aircraft to return safely out of a total of nineteen that took part in the heroic raids under the codename Operation Chastise.

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)