THE LIMITED EDITION $150
THE ARTIST PROOF $225
US AIRBORNE DIVISIONS EDITION $395 only 1 left
At 23.45 on the night of 5 June 1944, the 101st Airborne’s most legendary unit of combat paratroopers – the notorious ‘Filthy Thirteen’ – jumped into France near the village of Sainte Mère Église, in the final hours before the D-Day landings.
Overall print size 26¾” wide x 20¼” high
They were the Screaming Eagles’ most notorious unit, a small bunch of raw, tough, ruthless young men. Hard drinking and savage fighting - and that was only in training -with scant regard for authority. And if the reputation of this unique bunch of renegades within the ranks of the 101st was formidable, for the Germans it became one of sheer terror.
Officially they were the First Demolition Squadron, HQ Company, 506th PIR, 101st Airborne. Unofficially they were the ‘Filthy Thirteen’.
Robert Taylor’s classic drawing, part of his Graphite Collection, captures the moment on the night of 5 June 1944 when the 101st Airborne’s legendary squad of elite paratroopers jump into battle in the vital hours before the D-Day sea-borne landings commence. The pilots of the 440th Troop Carrier Group struggle to keep their Dakotas level as deadly flak pummels the formation.
THE LIMITED EDITION and ARTIST PROOF
Each print in every edition is personally signed by two of the original ‘Filthy Thirteen’, together with artist Robert Taylor.
SGT JAKE ‘McNASTY’ McNIECE
The unofficial leader of the ‘Filthy Thirteen’, Jake McNiece was the inspiration for the ‘Mohawk’ haircuts and war paint that the men wore on D-Day. He survived four combat jumps during WWII.
PVT JACK ‘HAWKEYE’ WOMER
Joining the ‘Filthy Thirteen’ before D-Day he was the best shot in the unit. Separated on the D-Day drop he initially fought alongside the 501st PIR before being reunited with his company.
US Airborne Divisions Edition (10 signatures): Contains the two above plus:
From the 82nd Airborne – ‘All American’
Lieutenant Colonel JAMES ‘MAGGIE’ MEGALLAS - Commander of H Company, 3rd Battallion, 504th PIR, ‘Maggie’ Megallas was the most decorated officer in the 82nd Airborne Division. After serving in Italy, where he was twice wounded, Megallas fought in Normandy before taking part in Operation Market Garden where he led his company across crossing the River Waal near Nijmegan. For bravery he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the second highest gallantry award possible. He fought with great distinction in the Battle of the Bulge, and on 28 January, whilst advancing into the town of Herresbach, his company succeeded in killing and capturing a large number of Germans. He single handedly destroyed a German tank with grenades before they seized the town, without losing a man. He was nominated for the Medal of Honor, but the account was never included in the official report.
Sergeant BOB BEARDEN - Leader of H Company mortar squad, 507th PIR, attached to the 82nd Airborne.
Sergeant MILTON SCHLESENER - Milton Schlesener served with D Company, 505th PIR, 82nd Airborne.
From the 101st Airborne - ‘The Screaming Eagles’
Corporal BILL MAYNARD - Easy Company
Colonel ED SHAMES - Easy Company
Sergeant ED TIPPER - Easy Company
Corporal HERB SUETH - Easy Company
Sergeant BILL TRUE - Fox Company