B-24 Liberators from the USAAF 2nd Air Division come under attack from Fw190D-9s of III./JG54 Green Hearts over Koblenz, 31 December, 1944

B-24 Liberators from the USAAF 2nd Air Division come under attack from Fw190D-9s of III./JG54 Green Hearts over Koblenz, 31 December, 1944

The weather on the morning of December 31 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 Fw190D fighters climbed out of Varrelbusch and headed south over the snow covered landscape. Under the command of 12/JG54 Staffelkapitan Oblt. Hans Dortenmann, and initially tasked to provide air cover to their beleaguered comrades below, the group was re-assigned to intercept enemy aircraft in the region of Limburg almost immediately the pilots were airbourne. Flying south they ran directly into the oncoming weather, and with visibility dangerously reduced , Dortenmnn elected to climb through the solid cloud into the clear air.

As the Fw190s 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 Fw190s 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.

Robert Taylor’s new painting recreates this well-documented aerial conflict with unsurpassed artistry, conveying in his painting all the urgency and mortal danger of aerial combat. In the forefront, a menacing yet beautiful long-nose Fw190D-9 rips through the B-24 formation with massive closing speed, yet the 453rd and 735th Liberators plough stoically onwards, unwavering in the face of such peril. Set in a truly magnificent cloudscape, Robert portrays the majesty of the sky in all its glory using his unique talent and inimitable style. A wonderful aviation picture recalling a remarkable era in history, and with prints signed by JG54 and 453rd Bomb Group pilots who contested the hostile skies of Europe so long ago, these collector prints will be greatly sought after by discerning enthusiasts.

THE FIGHTER PILOTS EDITION

Every print in this edition has been signed in pencil by THREE top pilots who flew with JG54 - The Green Hearts. Each print is also signed by artist Robert Taylor, and individually hand-numbered.

Major HANS-EKKEHARD BOB

Leutnant NORBERT HANNIG

Major ERIC RUDORFFER

400 signed & numbered prints with THREE signatures £200inc vat (£170.21+vat)

THE GREEN HEART EDITION

The Green Heart Edition has been signed by the following four JG54 Aces, three top pilots of JG54, and three pilots from the 453rd Bomb Group USAAF, to give a total of TEN signatures in this edition

First Lieutenant ALBERT ‘BERT’ BIEL

Leutnant HUGO BROCH

Colonel WILBUR LEE ‘WEB’ CLINGAN

Major HANS-EKKEHARD BOB

Leutnant NORBERT HANNIG

Major ERIC RUDORFFER

Unteroffizzier GUSTAV DREES

Lieutenant Colonel G W FORD

Feldwebel HERIBERT KOLLER

Leutnant HERMANN SCHLEINHEGE

350 Green Heart Proofs with TEN signatures £275inc vat (£234.05+vat)

25 Artist Proofs £395inc vat (£336.17+vat)

Orders from outside the European Union are free of vat

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