Description
NEW RELEASE COMMEMORATING THE 75th ANNIVERSARY OF D-DAY: 1944 – 2019
Sherman ‘Firefly’ tanks of the 13th/18th Royal Hussars Regiment, 8th Armoured Brigade, move out in formation with troops from The Devonshire Regiment as they join the Battle for Normandy. In the distance, reinforcements pour ashore using the vast pre-fabricated Mulberry Harbour at Arromanches, June 1944.
Following the successful D-Day landings on the adjacent Gold Beach, a vast pre-fabricated artificial Mulberry Harbour was quickly assembled at nearby Arromanches, allowing British and Canadian reinforcements to pour ashore. Towed piece by piece across the Channel, assembled and ready for use within days of the invasion, the harbour – nicknamed Port Winston – would enable more than two and half million men, half a million vehicles and vast quantities of supplies to be landed before it was finally decommissioned at the end of the year, by which time the ports along the Channel and North Sea had been liberated.
Clearly visible in Simon’s detailed piece, the new ‘Mulberry’ is working flat out with reinforcements pouring ashore and one of the floating roadways being used to evacuate the wounded onto ships soon bound for England. In the foreground recently- arrived Sherman Firefly tanks from the 13th /18th Hussars climb away from the area as they move out towards the front line alongside infantry from The Devonshire Regiment. In the days to follow both regiments would fight with great distinction.
Easily identified by the long barrel of its British 17-pounder gun whose bright muzzle flash inspired its nickname, the ‘Firefly’ was considered the most deadly version of the iconic Sherman tank and, being the only Allied tank in Normandy with a gun powerful enough to penetrate the thick armour of the German Panther and Tiger tanks, it was greatly feared by the enemy.
Overall Print Size: 35 ½” wide x 25 ¼” high
Image Size: 28 ¾” wide x 17 ½” high
To help commemorate the 75th Anniversary of D-Day and to remember the heroes who served in the Battle of Normandy, each print has been authenticated by veterans who fought bravely in this historic campaign.
THE LIMITED EDITION
Signed by the artist and a Sherman Tank Commander:
Cpl GEOFFREY PULZER Ld’H – 11th Armoured Division, British Army
150 Limited Edition:
THE ANNIVERSARY EDITIONS
Signed by a further three veterans:
Spr GEORGE BATTS MBE Ld’H – Royal Engineers, British Army
AB BILL BENNETT – Merchant Navy, seconded to the Tombola Division of the Royal Navy
Gen Sir HUGH BEACH GBE KCB MC – Royal Engineers, British Army
75 Anniversary Edition:
25 Artist Proofs
THE REMARQUE EDITIONS
Simon’s background as a commercial illustrator and his passion for military history are immediately evident through his subtle use of pencil and attention to detail.
With a specially commissioned pencil drawing hand created in the lower margin of each print, these stunning four signature editions are highly collectible pieces.
15 Remarques
10 Double Remarques
THE NORMANDY TRIBUTE EDITION
With twelve signatures!
With all signatures of the Anniversary Edition, each print is issued with a separate original pencil drawing by Simon Smith which has been signed by seven Normandy veterans –
Private CHARLIE HILL 6th Battalion Green Howards
Private BERT COOPER 5th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment
Private PATRICK STAFFORD 1/7 King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
Trooper DON WALKER Royal Tank Regiment
Private CYRIL ELLIOT Royal Army Service Corps
Corporal GORDON DRABBLE 1/6 South Staffordshire Regiment
Each unique drawing is conservation matted to include the original pencil signature of a famous veteran who served with distinction in Normandy:
Brig Sir ALEX STANIER BT DSO* MC
Commander of the 231st Infantry Brigade that spearheaded the assault on the west section of Gold Beach and played an instrumental role in the capture of Arromanches.
10 Tribute Edition
THE GICLÉE CANVAS PROOFS
Using the most sophisticated digital Giclée technology, each Studio Proof is printed directly on to fine canvas creating a stunning piece which has all the look and feel of an original painting.
Stretched Canvas size: 34” wide x 20” high (overseas orders sent rolled ready for stretching)
