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‘HORRIDO’
Major
Helmut Wick, Kommodore JG2, 28th November 1940
ww2
aerial warfare IS BROUGHT TO LIFE
IN UNRIVALED DETAIL BY LEADING BRITISH
MILITARY AND AVIATION ARTIST SIMON
SMITH.
now
available as a stunning artist signed AND NUMBERED Limited
Edition
print from an edition of only 200 copies
Wick was one of the leading celebrated
German aces of 1940. Particularly successful during the French
campaign recording 12 confirmed and two unconfirmed victories,
including four French fighters shot down on 5 June, Wick was to have continued
success during the Battle of Britain. He was appointed
Staffelkapitän of 3./JG 2 on 1 August 1940, although he had been leading the
unit since 23 June. He recorded his 19th and 20th victories on 25 August and on
26 August claimed a further two to take his score 22. For this feat,
Oberleutnant Wick was awarded the Ritterkreuz on 27 August 1940. On 4 September
1940, Wick received promotion to the rank of Hauptmann and took command of
6./JG 2.
He added six further victories
with this unit to raise his victory total to 28. Wick was appointed
Gruppenkommandeur of I./JG 2 on 9 September. On 5 October, he shot down five
RAF fighters in the Isle of Wight area. This gained him the immediate award of
the Eichenlaub.Further promotion followed and, at 25 years of age, Wick was the
youngest Major in the Wehrmacht. Wick was appointed Kommodore of JG 2 on 20
October 1940.
On 6 November, Wick claimed five
RAF fighters shot down (victories 48-52).
On 28 November 1940, Wick
achieved his 55th victory during an early sortie to become the leading fighter
ace in the world. Later in the day, on a ‘Freie Jagd’ (free hunt fighter sweep)
over the Isle of Wight, Wick scored his 56th and final victory,
a Spitfire of 609 Squadron flown by Flt Paul Baillon. Moments later, his own aircraft
was hit by British ace Flight Lieutenant
John Dundas of 609 Squadron, seen
on the right of the painting. Wick was seen to bale out of his stricken Bf 109E
and parachute into the channel.
Wick’s wingman “Rudi” Pflanz then shot down the Spitfire of John Dundas which also crashed into channel. Pflanz circled the area looking for Wick, even
calling over the radio that a “Spitfire was down” hoping to attract the British air sea rescue. Pflanz
continued to circle until his fuel was almost empty, crash-landing at landfall
on his return over the Channel but Wick was never found.
Such was his status to the Luftwaffe,
that an order was received shortly after he had taken off on his last mission
that prohibited him further combat flying as he was deemed too valuable.
Ironically, he appeared on the front cover of Berlin’s best selling
weekly paper the very same day he was posted missing.
Helmut Wick was credited with 56 victories achieved flying 168 combat missions.
Print size overall approx: (24 inches x 16 inches)
The print quality of this print can only be appreciated
first hand. Printed to Fine Art Trade Guild standards, on thick(300gsm)German
etching paper using the latest 6 colour Giclee print technology. The vibrant
and accurate lightfast colours will last forever. This is printing at its very
best quality!
each print is hand signed and numbered by the artist Simon Smith from
an edition of only 200 prints! buy now to avoid disappointment!!
Prints are despatched with a certificate rolled in tissue paper in a
strong tube by signed for delivery.
Price £65 plus fast insured signed for shipping.
Look out for new releases coming soon or email me for further details smithart101@gmail.com
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