Description
The “Bloody Hundredth” – the chilling tag earned by the Eighth Air Force’s 100th Bomb Group – fought a distinguished campaign from June 1943 to the end of WWII, taking part in all the major air campaigns of the USAAF’s European Air offensive.
On September 11, 1944 all four Squadrons of the 100th BG headed for the oil refineries at Ruhland. En route they encountered ferocious air attacks by Luftwaffe fighters of JG4 that carved swathes through the Group’s formations. Regardless, the mighty battle group thundered forward towards their target, the Fortress gunners claiming 16 enemy aircraft shot down. But the price was high. Among the surviving aircraft returning to Thorpe Abbots that day were scores of injured crews, and many severely damaged B-17s. The Group had been decimated: Not one aircraft from the 350th Squadron made it home. Next day, bloody but unbowed and true to the best traditions of the USAAF’s Mighty Eighth, the 100th BG went back to bomb the oil refineries at Magdeburg.
Nicolas Trudgian’s moving tribute to the Bloody Hundredth shows the imaginatively named B-17, Heaven Can Wait, on final approach to Thorpe Abbotts after the intense battle on September 11, 1944. Skillfully piloted by Harry Hempy, the seriously damaged B-17G has struggled 500 miles home on two engines to make it back to England. They lost their tail gunner that fateful day.
Below the descending bomber stream, an agricultural traction engine peacefully plows the wheat stubble in preparation for next year’s vital crop, the farm workers oblivious to the unimaginable traumas so recently experienced by the crews of the returning B-17 Fortresses.
THE SIGNATURES
This copy of ‘Heaven Can Wait’ has been signed by artist Nicolas Trudgian, together with FOUR pilots and crew who flew with the 100th Bomb Group in Europe during World War II.
Lieutenant Colonel HENRY “HANK” CERVANTES – Pilot of B-17 E-Z Goin’
Captain HARRY M. HEMPY – Pilot and captain of B-17 Heaven Can Wait
Staff Sergeant JOSEPH “JOE” KEENAN – Ball turret gunner of B-17 Andy’s Dandy
Technical Sergeant JAMES MACK – Pilot of B-17 Woody Woodpecker
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