SAINTE-MÈRE-ÉGLISE by Simon Smith signed by WWII 82nd Airborne Veterans

sainte-mère-église
SAINTE-MÈRE-ÉGLISE by Simon Smith signed by WWII 82nd Airborne Veterans

SAINTE-MÈRE-ÉGLISE by Simon Smith signed by WWII 82nd Airborne Veterans
Captured by the US 82nd Airborne in the early hours of D-Day, Sainte-Mère-Église would become the first town in France to be liberated by the Allies. The small town of Sainte-Mère-Église, at the foot of the Cotentin peninsula, is just five miles inland from Utah Beach and critical to the Allies right flank. Vital to ensuring a successful landing on Utah, the task of securing the town and road together with the nearby railway line and bridges over the River Merderet, was given to one of the best units in the US Army the battle-hardened paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division. In the early hours of 6 June 1944, after a widely scattered drop, some in the Divisions 505th PIR found themselves landing right in the heart of the town. With the white silk of their parachutes clearly visible, many of the men hanging defenselessly beneath them were easy targets and the casualty rate was high but the men of the 82nd attacked in a ferocious assault. By dawn it was over and with the capture of the town the Stars and Stripes now flew over Sainte-Mère-Église. The prints in this moving limited edition have been individually signed by the artist and two 82nd Airborne veterans who fought in the capture of the town on D-Day. DEAN McCANDLESS Serving with the 1st Battalion, 505th PIR, 82nd Airborne he had already made the first of his four combat jumps in July 1943 at Sicily during Operation Husky, followed by Salerno, before jumping on D-Day. Landing on the outskirts of Sainte-Mère-Église he and his unit fought an intense firefight to successfully capture the bridge over the Merderet River. His fourth jump was during Operation Market Garden before moving on to fight throughout the Battle of the Bulge where he was wounded. He was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart. DUMOUCHELLE Serving with the 82nd Airborne Division, 307th Airborne Engineer Battalion, he had already jumped at Sicily and Salerno before undertaking his third combat jump into Normandy on D-Day into Sainte-Mère-Église. He was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. The name Sainte-Mère-Église will be forever associated with the highest levels of bravery shown by the US Airborne forces in World War II, and this historic edition represents a lasting tribute to them. His is the perfect opportunity for collectors and history enthusiasts to become custodians of a lasting link to this famous episode in history, for future generations. Please note: The signatures on all of our pieces are original, hand-signed autographs by the veterans involved. YOUR PIECE OF MIND: As a reputable company, if any issues do arise we don’t expect our customers to deal with it. The item “SAINTE-MÈRE-ÉGLISE by Simon Smith signed by WWII 82nd Airborne Veterans” is in sale since Sunday, April 19, 2020. This item is in the category “Art\Art Prints”. The seller is “aceshighgallery” and is located in Ojai, California. This item can be shipped worldwide.
  • Size: Medium (up to 36in.)
  • Artist: Simon Smith
  • Style: Military Art
  • Listed By: Aces High Gallery
  • Quantity Type: Single-Piece Work
  • Medium: Lithograph
  • Date of Creation: 2016
  • Original/Reproduction: Artwork Reproduction
  • Features: Numbered
  • Certificate of Authenticity: Included
  • Autographed By:: DEAN McCANDLESS
  • Width (Inches): 33
  • Color: Color
  • Subject: 82nd Airborne
  • Featuring:: Ste-Mère-Église
  • Topic:: D-Day
  • Also Autographed by:: LEO DUMOUCHELLE
  • Originality: Limited Edition Print
  • Height (Inches): 22¼
  • Print Surface: Paper

SAINTE-MÈRE-ÉGLISE by Simon Smith signed by WWII 82nd Airborne Veterans