Flight Against the Bismarck

The Royal Navy's week long chase of the formidable German battleship Bismarck culminated in the foul evening weather of 26th May 1941. Despite the deck of HMS Ark Royal pitching through 55 feet, S/Lt John Moffat was one of fifteen Swordfish pilots who took off to attack Bismarck. After 90 minutes of arduous and turbulent flying the Swordfish found their quarry and dived through the intense anti-aircraft fire to drop their torpedoes. One of these hit and jammed Bismarck's rudder and condemned the battleship to sail in slow circles. The Royal Navy's own capital ships then closed in and pounded Bismarck into a burning wreck.

This is only one example of heroic acts by the many Swordfish crew who flew and fought so valiantly for their Queen and country throughout WW2. Most of which has gone unrecognised.

Five Swordfish pilots, one of whom will be John Moffat - whose aircraft is depicted in the picture, will sign all Artist Proofs and Remarqued prints. Other pilots will have been involved in attacks on the "Scharnhorst", "Gneisehau" and "Prinz Eugen", the Malta Campaign and one pilot who flew Swordfish from converted oil tankers in the North Atlantic on convoy protection duties against German U-Boats.

Signatures:

Primary Editions:

Sub. Lt. Stanley Brand RNVR (Pilot)

Lt. Cdr. Bruce Vibert (Pilot)

Lieut. Norman Gillis RNVR (Pilot)

Artist's Proofs & Remarques:
The three pilots above plus:

Sub. Lt. John Moffat RNVR (Pilot)

Commander Sidney H. Suthers DSC, DFC (Pilot)