Description
It is early 1941. Herman Goering, smarting from the outcome of the Battle of Britain, is preparing for the promised new offensive against England and has extended the presence of his Luftwaffe along the length of the north coast of France. Commanded by great fighter leaders – men like Galland, Molders and Trautloft – the elite of the Fighter Arm are in constant aerial conflict with the Royal Air Force.
Trying to make the best of daily life, the local gentlefolk are interrupted day and night by the activity of aircraft and now, as spring advances, the British pilots are conducting their battles with the Luftwaffe right overhead their villages and towns. Life is a continuing contrast between peaceful tranquility and the frantic pace of war.
Mont St. Michael, most famous historic landmark on the French coast, has seen it all before. Built by the Normans between the 11th and 16th centuries on a solid granite rock rising 250 feet out of the sea, this ancient monastery has witnessed conflict over almost a thousand years. It knows that, given time, this campaign will pass into history like all the others before it. It now plays backdrop to Robert Taylor’s iconic painting.
Seen racing across the coast at just 50 feet, inbound from a fighter sweep over the English Channel, a group of Me109s return to their forward base in Northern France. Weather permitting, tomorrow they will fly a bomb strike against shipping or a hit-and-run attack on English ports. The bustling activity over this sleep coastal community is incessant.
Pilots on both sides are twenty-year old matured veterans, having come through the earlier Battles of Britain and France. Almost all the great Luftwaffe fighter Aces cut their teeth on the Western Front, where it was acknowledged that to survive against the experienced RAF pilots, you had to be good.
It is these great Luftwaffe fighter Aces of whom we are reminded in Robert’s spectacular edition, which released as fifth in his popular Masterworks Series. A stunning aviation painting that vividly brings to life a typical scene in Northern France from over half a century past.
This superb piece completely sold out soon after release and is now highly desirable on the secondary market.
THE SIGNATURES
The print is personally signed by four of the great WWII Luftwaffe Fighter Aces who flew in the West:
Generalleutnant HANNES TRAUTLOFT – Knights Cross / 57 victories
Oberst HERBERT IHLEFELD Knights Cross with Oak Leaves & Swords / 130 victories
Generalmajor DIETRICH HRABAK Knights Cross with Oak Leaves / 125 victories
Generalleutnant ADOLF GALLAND Knights Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords & Diamonds / 104 victories
THE GICLÉE STUDIO PROOFS ON CANVAS
Using the most sophisticated digital Giclée technology, each Canvas Proof is printed directly on to fine canvas creating the look and feel of an original painting. Each canvas stamped on the back, numbered and titled.
Canvas image size: 36″ wide x 24″ high
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