MALTA’S 1000TH VICTORY – ORIGINAL DRAWING BY WADE MEYERS

On the 28th April 1943, Squadron Leader John Lynch Officer Commanding 249 Squadron, claimed a Junker Ju52, marking the official 1,000th Victory for the Island’s defenders. 

A tribute to the Airmen who fought in the middle East. 

Signed on the paper by 

Squadron Leader Neville Duke DSO OBE DFC** AFC 112 Squadron 

Oberst Edu Neumann JG27 

General Metelini (Italian) 76th Squadriglia Caccia 

Framed within the mount are the original signatures of: 

Squadron Leader Stan Browne DFC* – 93 Squadron RNZAF, Group Captain Bobby Oxspring DFC** – AFC 72 Squadron, Oberst Adolf Dickfeld Knights Cross Oakleaves – JG2, Oberstleutnant Eduard Nippa Knights Cross – SKG 10, Oberstleutnant Ernst-Wilhelm Reinert Knghts Cross Oakleaves & Swords – JG77, Oberst Hajo Hermann Knights Cross Oakleaves & Swords – KG4, Squadron Leader Keith Lawrence DFC – 185 Squadron, Wing Commander Tom Neil DFC* AFC AE – 249 Squadron, Wing Commander Peter Olver DFC – 213 Squadron, Flight Lieutenant Rodney Scarse DFC – 72 Squadron, Squadron Leader Cyril Bamberger DFC – 261 Squadron, Wing Commander Paul Farnes DFM – 229 Squadron, Flight Lieutenant Jack Rae DFC* RNZAF – 249 Squadron, Squadron Leader Geoffrey Wellum DFC – 145 Squadron, Group Captain Billy Drake DSO DFC – 122 Squadron, Wing Commander Peter Ayerst DFC – 73 Squadron, Flight Lieutenant Sir Alan Smith DFC* – 93 Squadron, Group Captain Dutch Hugo DSO DFC** SAAF – 322 Wing, Group Captain John Waddy CBE DFC RAAF – 250 Squadron, Air Vice-Marshal Sandy Johnstone DFC – Station Commander RAF Luqa, Wing Commander Laddie Lucas DSO* OBE DFC – 249 Squadron, Squadron Leader Nip Heppell DFC – 249 Squadron, Squadron Leader Rod Smith DFC* RCAF – 126 Squadron, Group Captain W G G Duncan Smith DSO* DFC** 244 – Fighter Wing, Oberst Macky Steinhoff Knights Cross Oakleaves & Swords – JG77 , Major Eric Rudorffer Knights Cross Oakleaves & Swords – JG2, Commander Jack Routley FAA – 805 FAA 

An Original set of Kings Crown RAF Wings