Flying
a Ju88 C-6 night-fighter Major Heinrich Prinz zu Sayn-Wittgenstein,
Geschwaderkommodore of NJG/2 successfully attacks a Lancaster from 44 Squadron
RAF over Magdeburg on the night of 21 January 1944.
The
role of the Luftwaffe’s night-fighter force was one of the most difficult and
dangerous jobs of them all. Although highly feared, they were eventually
overwhelmed by the sheer numbers and tactics as RAF Bomber Command increased
their night-time offensive against the industrial heartlands of Hitler’s Third
Reich. During their long, defensive campaign the Luftwaffe gave its
night-fighter crews no time to rest, let alone recuperate – they often flew
non-stop until they were either killed in action, wounded, or physically
exhausted, incapable of flying. Only the lucky survived.
One
of those who didn’t was Major Prinz zu Sayn-Wittgenstein, Geschwaderkommodore of
NJG/2 who is skilfully depicted in Richard’s detailed drawing on the night of
21 January 1944, the fateful mission that would be his last.
Flying
a Ju88 C-6 from Deelen airfield in the Netherlands to intercept a force of more
than 700 RAF heavy bombers, he and his crew had managed to destroy five
four-engine aircraft, including Lancaster DV263, KM-M from 44 Squadron
portrayed in Richard’s drawing, before his Ju88 was itself hit and set ablaze.
Although his crew bailed out successfully, Sayn-Wittgenstein is thought to have
struck his head when exiting his aircraft, and was killed. At the time he was
the highest-scoring night-fighter pilot in the Luftwaffe with 83 victories to
his credit, a tally that remained the third-highest by any night-fighter come
the end of hostilities.
This
highly-restricted edition remembers the exploits of the Luftwaffe’s
night-fighter force in its long battle with RAF Bomber Command. All copies are
hand-numbered and personally signed by artist Richard Taylor, before being
mounted to full conservation standards to include the original autographs of
both Luftwaffe and RAF veterans who duelled in the night skies over Europe
during WWII.
The Veterans Edition
With
all components of the Collector’s Edition, this highly prized Veterans Edition
is limited to only TEN copies. Each print is matted to include the additional
autographs of two more veterans who rare, wartime signature of the
famous Ace depicted: