Description
When in December 1943 the 325th Fighter Group, the Checkertail Clan, had moved into south-eastern Italy they were soon escorting American bombers on long range missions deep into occupied Europe. In two years of air combat the Checkertails soon became one of the crack units in the Fifteenth Air Force, destroying a staggering 537 enemy aircraft in the air, and accounting for many more on the ground.
Returning to base after an arduous escort mission, Captain Art Fiedler leads a flight of P-51 Mustangs from the 325th Fighter Group – the Checkertail Clan – through the Po Valley in northern Italy seeking out targets of opportunity among the retreating Axis forces, July 1944.
Available individually or as a matching numbered pair with BATTLE OF THE BRENNER as part of The Battle for Italy Portfolio.
THE SIGNATURES
In addition to being hand numbered, each copy in every edition has been personally signed by the artist as well as one of the Checkertails’ top Aces who flew and fought in combat over Italy:
Colonel ART FIEDLER – 325th Fighter Group / 8 victories
Arthur “Art” Fiedler graduated as a pilot on July 8, 1943 and transferred to the 325th Fighter Group in Italy in May 1944. He quickly got into action with victories over three Me109s and another probably within his first six weeks. He achieved his Ace status after downing another Me109 over Hungary on July 26, his second victory of the day. His final victory was an Fw190 over Regensburg on January 20, 1945, bringing his tally to 8 confirmed and one probable. Not only had Art become one of the Checkertail’s top Aces, he was one of the most respected. After the war he transferred to the USAF and flew combat in Vietnam.
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