The four famous pilots chosen for the Battle of Britain Commemorative Set are Luftwaffe Major Adolf GALLAND (top left), RAF Group Captain Douglas BADER (top right), RAF Squadron Leader "Sailor" MALAN (bottom left) and Luftwaffe Major Werner MOLDERS (bottom right). Larger images of each may be viewed by clicking on the small images above.

Major Adolf GALLAND - Luftwaffe

Adolf Galland was the most famous and dashing of the Luftwaffe aces who dueled with Fighter Command in the Battle of Britain. He was the last surviving holder of the highest German awards for bravery, the Knight's Cross with Diamonds, Swords and Oak leaves, the reward for a career which included 58 victories by the end of the Battle of Britain, and further "kills" while he was officially one of the chair-bound top brass. The rivalry to become top-scorer, which Galland and another pilot, Werner Molders had engaged in from the fall of France in 1940, reached a climax in the skies over southern England. Molders remarked, "If Galland wishes to become the Luftwaffe's Richthofen, I am content to be its Boelcke" (Manfred von Richthofen's mentor in the First World War).

Group Captain Douglas BADER - Royal Air Force

Douglas Bader got his RAF commission in 1930, but lost both his legs in a plane crash in 1931. However, within six months he was walking on artificial legs. He rejoined the RAF in 1939 and rose to command No 242 Squadron, the Canadian squadron based at Coltishall. The squadron had suffered heavy casualties in the Battle of France and morale was low. Bader immediately transformed his unit, concentrating on improving his pilots' flying, teamwork and confidence. The Squadron's first major success came on 30 August when they claimed 12 enemy aircraft, of which Bader shot down two. As the Battle of Britain progressed Bader led larger formations, with 242 and other squadrons forming the Duxford Wing. By the end of 1940 Bader's squadron had shot down 67 enemy aircraft, for the loss of only five pilots killed in action.

He led this unit with great success throughout the Battle of Britain and by October 1940 had been awarded the DSO (Distinguished Service Order) and the DFC (Distinguished Flying Cross).

Squadron Leader Adolf "Sailor" MALAN - Royal Air Force

Adolph "Sailor" Malan was born in Wellington, Cape Province, in 1910 and joined the Union Castle Line of the Mercantile Marine at the age of 15, from which service he derived his nickname "Sailor".

He was given command of 74 Squadron, with the rank of Acting Squadron Leader at the height of the Battle of Britain on 8 August, 1940. Three days later the Squadron was in battle. The day became, for ever, "Sailor's August the Eleventh". The order was received at twenty minutes past seven to intercept a hostile raid approaching Dover. Little did the squadron know that they would participate in four separate air battles that day. When the Squadron, weary, sweaty and oily, finally returned to base after the fourth sortie, they had downed an astounding 38 enemy aircraft.

Sailor Malan said later, in one of his masterly understatements: "Thus ended a very successful morning of combat".

It was during the Battle of Britain that Malan abandoned some of the RAF’s outmoded doctrines including flying in a Vic formation of three aircraft in favour of the German Schwarm or Finger-four formation with a Tail-end Charlie to cover the flight. Malan also developed his Top Ten Air Fighting rules at this time. These rules still hold true to this day.

Major Werner MOLDERS - Luftwaffe

Werner Mölders was a World War II German Luftwaffe pilot and the leading German fighter ace in the Spanish Civil War. Mölders became the first pilot in aviation history to claim 100 aerial victories and was highly decorated for his achievements. He was instrumental in the development of new fighter tactics which led to the Finger-four formation.

By July of 1940 Molders was a Major and Kommodore of JG 51. On the 27th of July 1940 during a flight over England Molders was jumped by the Legendry British Ace "Sailor" Malan who riddled Molders Messerschmitt so badly that it barley made it back to France. Molders was wounded in the knee and he crashed landed near Calais where he was hospitalized for a month.

Molders ended the Battle of Britain three kills behind Galland and, like Oswald Boelcke, was killed soon afterwards in a crash.

The Battle of Britain Commemorative Set is available as either individual pieces, or as a complete set. Each print measures 11" x 17" with a 11" x 14" image area. When placing your order, please quote the applicable code below with quantities required, your name, address and phone number. Please forward your order information to orders@militaryart.ca and we will reply with the finalized cost, including any applicable taxes and shipping cost.

Acceptable methods of payment are PayPal, cheque, or money order. We are not set up for credit card processing.

Major Adolf Galland	Code #BoB01	$35.00 each
Group Captain Douglas Bader	Code #BoB02	$35.00 each
Major Werner Molders	Code #BoB03	$35.00 each
Squadron Leader "Sailor" Malan	Code #BoB04	$35.00 each
Battle of Britain Commemorative Set (4 prints)	Code #BoBset	$125.00 each

	The Remarqued print (above) depicting "Smokey" Smith, the Victoria Cross, the Citation, and the badge and tartan of the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada. A orginal sketch (detail below) depicts the Panzer V Panther, one of which Smokey Smith engaged and destoyed at extremely close range using a PIAT gun.

In 2005, to commemorate the (at the time) sole surviving Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross, John Perry was commissioned by the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada to produce a commemorative print depicting "Smokey" Smith who, at the time, was the sole surviving Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross. The art was reproduced as a limited edition print run and sold through the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada Regimental Association. A small number of Remarqued prints are available through the artist, featuring an original pencil sketch (see detail to the right below) depicting a Panther tank of the type encountered by Smokey in the action described in his Citation. These Remarqued prints are available at a cost of Cdn$250.00 (excl. tax/shipping) and may ordered HERE.

For historical reference, the Citation for Smokey Smith's Victoria Cross reads:

"In Italy on the night of 21st-22nd October 1944, a Canadian Infantry Brigade was ordered to establish a bridgehead across the Savio River. The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada were selected as the spearhead of the attack, and in weather most unfavourable to the operation they crossed the river and captured their objective in spite of strong opposition from the enemy.

Torrential rain had caused the Savio River to rise six feet in five hours, and as the soft vertical banks made it impossible to bridge the river no tanks or anti-tank guns could be taken across the raging stream to the support of the rifle companies.

As the right forward company was consolidating its objective it was suddenly counter-attacked by a troop of three Mark V Panther tanks supported by two self-propelled guns and about thirty infantry and the situation appeared hopeless.

Under heavy fire from the approaching enemy tanks, Private Smith, showing great initiative and inspiring leadership, led his P.I.A.T. Group of two men across an open field to a position from which the P.I.A.T. could best be employed. Leaving one man on the weapon, Private Smith crossed the road with a companion and obtained another P.I.A.T. Almost immediately an enemy tank came down the road firing its machine-guns along the line of the ditches. Private Smith's comrade was wounded. At a range of thirty feet and having to expose himself to the full view of the enemy, Private Smith fired the P.I.A.T. and hit the tank, putting it out of action. Ten German infantry immediately jumped off the back of the tank and charged him with Schmeissers and grenades. Without hesitation Private Smith moved out on the road and with his Tommy gun at point-blank range, killed four Germans and drove the remainder back. Almost immediately another tank opened fire and more enemy infantry closed in on Smith's position. Obtaining some abandoned Tommy gun magazines from a ditch, he steadfastly held his position, protecting his comrade and fighting the enemy with his Tommy gun until they finally gave up and withdrew in disorder.

One tank and both self-propelled guns had been destroyed by this time, but yet another tank swept the area with fire from a longer range. Private Smith, still showing utter contempt for enemy fire, helped his wounded friend to cover and obtained medical aid for him behind a nearby building. He then returned to his position beside the road to await the possibility of a further enemy attack.

No further immediate attack developed, and as a result the battalion was able to consolidate the bridgehead position so vital to the success of the whole operation, which led to the capture of San Giorgio Di Cesena and a further advance to the Ronco River.

Thus, by the dogged determination, outstanding devotion to duty and superb gallantry of this private soldier, his comrades were so inspired that the bridgehead was held firm against all enemy attacks, pending the arrival of tanks and anti-tank guns some hours later."