A POWERFUL EDITION COMMEMORATING THE GREAT AIR BATTLE OVER THE REICH

SAVAGE SKIES
By Robert Taylor 

B-24 Liberators from the USAAF Second Division come under attack from Long-nose Fw 190D-9s of III./JG54 ‘Green Hearts’ over Koblenz, 31 December 1944. Top cover P-51 Mustangs from the 352nd Fighter Group race in from above to engage the attackers and clear the danger.

The weather on the morning of 31 December, 1944 was already unpleasant. In the Ardennes, hard-pressed German troops were battling Allied ground forces advancing through several inches of snow. Above, darkening skies heralded the arrival of more snow. At 10.45am, in deteriorating weather, a battle formation of 30 Fw-190D fighters climbed out of Varrelbusch and headed south over the snow-covered landscape.

Under the command of 12./JG54 Staffelkapitan, Oblt. Hans Dortenmann the group was re-assigned to intercept enemy aircraft in the region of Limburg almost immediately the pilots were airborne. Flying south they ran directly into the oncoming weather, and with visibility dangerously reduced, Dortenmann elected to climb through the solid cloud into clear air. As the Fw-190s broke cloud above the area of Koblenz they sighted a formation of nine 2nd Air Division B-24 Liberators and formed up for an attack.

Some 6000 feet above, top-cover P-51 Mustangs had watched the Fw-190s climbing through the banks of clouds, and turned 180 degrees to position behind the Luftwaffe fighters. Diving in from their height advantage, the Mustang pilots entered the fray and within seconds the sky was filled with swirling dogfights.

THE SIGNATURES - THE GREEN HEARTS EDITION
The prints in this classic edition are individually numbered and personally signed by the artist and seven top pilots who flew with JG54 - The 'Green Hearts' -  along with three pilots who flew B-24s with the 453rd Bomb Group USAAF

Major HANS-EKKEHARD BOB Knights Cross - 60 victories
Major ERICH RUDORFFER Knights Cross with Oak Leaves & Swords - 222 victories
Leutnant NORBERT HANNIG - 42 victories
Feldwebel HERBERT KOLLER - 49 victories
Unteroffizier GUSTAV DREES - 4 victories
Leutnant HERMANN SCHLEINHEGE Knights Cross - 97 victories
Leutnant HUGO BROCH Knights Cross - 81 victories
Colonel WILBUR LEE “WIB” CLINGAN
First Lieutenant ALBERT “BERT” BIEL
Lieutenant Colonel G W FORD

Signed and released in 2005 this outstanding edition is the perfect opportunity for enthusiasts to acquire an epic image with superb autographs, making this a historic collector's item.

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 20 years and our items are guaranteed to be in perfect condition, unless specified otherwise.

SHIPPING: Our prints are rolled in acid free tissue and shipped in large, heavy duty shipping tubes. matted & framed pieces are 'flat packed' in substantial packaging. Our shipping is insured and guaranteed.

YOUR PIECE OF MIND: As a reputable company, if any issues do arise we don't expect 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 your money back.

Please note: The signatures on our pieces are not reproductions; they are original autographs, hand-signed by the veterans involved.