Description
On the morning of 15 October 1943, as Bf109G’s from III./JG52 dive into attack a group of Russian fighters high over Zaporozhye in south-east Ukraine, their Kommandeur Hauptmann Günther Rall pounces on a Soviet La-5 to claim his 222nd victory.
During this astonishing one month period Rall shot down 40 aircraft and at the end of November 1943 achieved 250 victories – at the time only the second Ace to do so after Walter Nowotny. By the time he was posted back to the West, he was well on the way to his final score of 275 victories, making him the third highest-scoring Ace in history. Had he not been wounded in action numerous times and forced to spend months in hospital, he might well have been the highest-scoring Ace of them all.
Robert Taylor’s remarkable painting is published as a lasting tribute to one of the most legendary figures in Aviation history. It is of great historical significance that Günther Rall who, through his outstanding skill, decency and leadership, gained huge respect from his comrades and former foes alike, has autographed every print, creating an exceptional collectors piece..
THE LIMITED EDITION
Every print in each of the editions is individually hand-numbered and personally signed by the artist Robert Taylor and one of the greatest fighter Aces in history:
Generalleutnant GÜNTHER RALL Knights Cross with Oak Leaves & Swords – 275 victories
THE EASTERN FRONT EDITIONS
In addition to Günther Rall, each print in the FIVE signature Eastern Front Edition is signed by four highly distinguished Aces who all flew the Bf109 against the Russians on the Eastern Front:
Leutnant HUGO BROCH Knights Cross – 81 victories
Major ERICH RUDORFFER Knights Cross with Oak Leaves & Swords – 222 victories
Hauptmann KARL-FRITZ SCHLOSSSTEIN German Cross in Gold – 8 victories
Oberleutnant WALTER SCHUCK Knights Cross with Oak Leaves – 206 victories
THE REMARQUES
With all signatures of the Eastern Front Edition, the Remarque prints are enhanced with an original pencil sketch by artist Robert Taylor in the lower margin of the print, making a completely unique piece.
We’re delighted to have ONE COPY ONLY that is currently IN STOCK. It is framed and has a very special remarque personally drawn by Robert – CONTACT US for details.
THE EASTERN FRONT TRIBUTE EDITION
With almost 2400 victories between the FIFTEEN signatures, this edition uniquely includes the original autographs of the three highest-scoring Aces in History – Erich Hartmann, Gerhard Barkhorn and Günther Rall – all together on one historic piece.
With all the components of the Eastern Front Edition the Tributes are issued with an outstanding original pencil drawing individually created and signed by Robert Taylor and four high-scoring Aces who flew on the Eastern Front. Each drawing is conservation matted to include the original signatures of six more iconic Fighter Aces who flew on the Eastern Front. Günther Rall and Hugo Broch have also signed each drawing:
Oberleutnant WALTER WOLFRUM Knights Cross
Major HANS-EKKEHARD BOB Knights Cross
Hauptmann GÜNTHER SCHACK Knights Cross with Oak Leaves
Oberleutnant GERHARD THYBEN Knights Cross
Oberstleutnant HEINZ MARQUARDT Knights Cross
Oberst ERICH HARTMANN Knights Cross with Oak Leaves & Swords & Diamonds
Major GERHARD BARKHORN Knights Cross with Oak Leaves & Swords
Hauptmann RUDOLF TRENKEL Knights Cross
Feldwebel OSKAR BÖSCH IC
Leutnant FRITZ TEGTMEIER Knights Cross
Fuzzy –
My second favorite eastern front combat scene (“Knights of the Eastern Front” is in first place). Hartmann & Barkhorn have been featured in Robert Taylor’s prints, but this is the first featuring Rall. Great cloudscape and nice to see an La-5 show up in one of Robert’s prints.