A powerful edition depiction the final months of the War in Europe – the Defense of the Reich HEADLONG INTO THE CLASH by Robert Taylor Luftwaffe fighters of JG300 and JG301 charge into a close formation of B-17s from the 390th Bomb Group heading for Magdeburg in northern Germany, during the huge allied offensive, 14 January 1945. Flt Lt Joe Peterburs along with other P-51s from the 20th Fighter Group, dives in to engage the enemy as the Bf109G of Lt Bruno Klostermann screams past in an attempt to penetrate the bomber formation. During the many aerial encounters that day, the Luftwaffe sent up a force of some 200 fighters but after a crushing defeat, suffered such heavy losses that they would never challenge the Eighth Air Force in strength again. 14 January 1945; and the war was not going well for Germany. The noose was tightening as American, British and Canadian armies, having broken out from their Normandy landings seven months earlier, stood on the banks of the Rhine. In the east vast numbers of Russians were driving relentlessly towards Berlin. On their bomb-cratered airfields the Luftwaffe prepared for the final onslaught during the Defense of the Reich. Despite the shock of Operation Bodenplatte on New Year’s Eve – the Luftwaffe’s unexpected yet unsuccessful attempt to wipe out the Allied air forces on their advanced airfields in the Low Countries – Germany had all but surrendered air superiority to the Allies. Today, therefore, was yet another gamble as they assembled some 200 fighters to counter nearly 900 Eighth Air Force bombers, and almost as many fighter escorts, tasked with destroying oil refineries, storage depots and other strategic targets in central Germany. For the Luftwaffe the day was to end in retreat and disaster; they lost 161 fighters, the highest number ever recorded. Never again would the once mighty Jagdverbänd rise in strength to challenge the Mighty Eighth. THE SIGNATURESThis Collector’s Edition print is individually numbered and personally signed by the artist and Seven veterans who fought on both sides of the Defense of the Reich: Leutnant GÜNTHER SINNECKER – Me109 Ace / 5 victoriesColonel JOE PETERBURS – USAAF Mustang Pilot / 2 victoriesTechnical Sergeant WILLIAM STOVALL – USAAF B-17 Pilot Lieutenant Colonel WALLACE ‘LUCKY’ LOWMAN – USAAF B-17 PilotFirst Lieutenant KEN SHARPE – USAAF B-17 PilotOberleutnant GÜNTHER SEEGER Knights Cross – Me109 Ace / 137 victoriesOberleutnant WALTER WOLFRUM Knights Cross – Me109 Ace / 56 victories ALSO AVAILABLE FRAMED & SHIPPED – Please ask for details We will always do our best to combine shipping on multiple purchases whenever possible – please ask. BUY WITH CONFIDENCE: We have been in business for over 25 years and our items are guaranteed to be in perfect condition, unless specified otherwise. SHIPPING: Larger prints are rolled in acid free tissue and shipped in large, heavy duty shipping tubes with smaller prints ‘flat packed’ in custom made packaging. Matted & framed pieces are packed in our custom made shipping boxes and our shipping is insured and guaranteed. YOUR PIECE OF MIND: As a reputable company, if any issues do arise we don’t ask our customers to deal with it. So if there are any problems such as with condition, delivery or damages then we will take care of it with a replacement, store credit or refund. Please note: The signatures on our pieces are not reproductions; they are original autographs, hand-signed by the veterans involved.