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There were few sights back in the early 1940's that stirred the emotions more than that of a Lancaster on final approach, its weary crew returning from combat over enemy territory. The characteristic roar of four mighty Merlin engines never failed to turn heads skyward, as these magnificent heavy bombers descended into their air bases, strategically spread around the countryside of East Anglia.
The Royal Air Force's bomber crews flew by day and night throughout the six year long campaign to defeat Nazi Germany, eventually bringing Hitler's war machine to its knees; but not without cost: more than 55,000 of Bomber Command's finest young men paid the ultimate sacrifice. So it was with emotions of admiration, pride, and appreciation that a grateful public waited and watched as these great warriors of the sky came lumbering home.
Unique among RAF bomber squadrons was No 617: formed with a specific task, 617 Squadron gained immortality in May 1943 for its daring and successful raid on the German dams that supplied power to the factories of the Ruhr. Forever after known as the Dambusters, 617 Squadron remained active as a precision bombing unit until the end of hostilities, its last operation being an attack on Hitler's famous mountain retreat, the Eagle 50 Nest at Berchtesgaden. During its illustrious wartime activities the squadron's crews were awarded two Victoria Crosses, and more than 150 other decorations for gallantry.
Gerald Coulson's stirring painting, Summer Harvest, winds the clock back sixty years, recreating a typical East Anglian countryside scene in late 1944. With the sun well above the horizon, a Lancaster comes thundering in on finals after a grueling night precision bombing mission over Germany. Below, farm workers busy gathering the summer harvest, stop to marvel at the sheer power and majesty of the mighty aircraft and to dwell briefly on what horrors its crew may have endured on their perilous journey.
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