We Treated Them All the Same by Simon Smith

These simple words, carved into a stone memorial outside the ancient church at Angouville-au-Plain, a small hamlet six miles south-west of Utah Beach in Normandy, recall the heroic actions that took place.

In the early hours of 6 June 1944 two medics from the 101st Airborne – Kenneth Moore and Robert Wright – arrived to find themselves in the middle of a confused and savage firefight. Undeterred by the fighting around them the two men immediately set up a field dressing-station in the little village church to treat the growing numbers of wounded.

In an act of true humanity within the brutality of war, the two medics insisted on treating every wounded soldier brought here equally, regardless of the uniform they wore.

There was, however, one simple rule. No guns were to be brought inside the church. When two German paratroopers burst through the doors, machine-guns raised, the medics simply stared them straight in the eye and nodded down to the young German soldier they were treating. The two enemy paratroopers immediately understood. Both saluted and withdrew.

By the time the fighting was over, all but three of the 80 wounded had survived.

Simon Smith has brought this moving and act of heroism to life in his new edition. Every print is signed by ‘Art’ Petersen, a veteran of the fire-fight at Angouville. The Collector’s Edition is, however, even more special: additionally signed by D-Day 101st airborne medic ‘Doc’ Blaney, each print is also personally signed by KENNETH MOORE, creating what must be one of the Military Gallery's most moving and historic editions.

This is a truly unique and memorable edition that will surely inspire enthusiasts and military art collectors alike, an piece to be treasured as a reminder of one of the most inspirational stories to come out of D-Day and the battle for Normandy.

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