In Shark Patrol we see Deputy Wing Commander Bobby Gibbes leading No. 457 Squadron RAAF on a sortie over a tropical island. The Mk VIII Spitfires of the "Grey Nurse" Squadron were based at Morotai island in the Halmaheras in mid 1945. Flying on Gibbes' wing is F/L Ted Sly in ZP-Q while S/L Bruce Watson leads another section in ZP-W. No. 457 Squadron was formed in the United Kingdom in June of 1941 and saw combat on the Channel front before being withdrawn and sent to Australia in mid 1942 to deal with the Japanese which had been bombing the Australian mainland since February of that year. Together with Nos 54 and 452 Squadrons, 457 Squadron became part of No 1 Fighter Wing under the command of the legendary Wing Commander Clive Caldwell. Equipped with the Spitfire Mk Vc No 1 Wing moved into the Darwin area in February of 1943. No 457 Squadron began receiving the new Mk VIII Spitfires in 1944 and in early 1945 deployed to Morotai along with Nos 452 and 79 Squadrons. In May 457 & 452 Squadrons advanced to Labuan Island during "Operation Oboe" the invasion of Borneo. Each print co-signed by 12 victory ace Wing Commander Bobby Gibbes DFC, Squadron Leader Bruce Watson DFC and Flight Lieutenant Ted Sly DFC. Sales of these prints will benefit the Spitfire Memorial Defence Fellowship. Overall print size: 22" x 28". Edition Size: 300 30 Artist Proofs |
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