STEINHOFF TRIBUTE

Description

The tremendous air battles between the Luftwaffe and the RAF during the Battle of Britain were the most intensely fought in the history of aerial combat. From dawn to dusk throughout the long hot Summer of 1940 the battle raged above the South-East England and the Channel, with fighter pilots on both sides flying four, five and sometimes six missions in a single day.

When released from the shackles of close bomber escort, the experienced Luftwaffe pilots, flying the magnificent Messerschmitt Me109, were second to none. Leading 4./JG52 was a dedicated and courageous 26 year old pilot, already seasoned by six months of aerial combat. He would continue to fly combat almost without a break another five years, and become one of the Luftwaffe’s greatest and most highly respected fighter leaders.

Johannes Steinhoff – “Macky” to his legions of friends – is remembered as a man of steadfast honor, great personal charm and infinite courage, and it is with pride that the Military Gallery issued a special Tribute Edition to this great Luftwaffe Fighter Ace.

Robert Taylor has recreated a spectacular painting showing Macky Steinhoff in action over the White Cliffs of Dover.  It is August, and the height of the Battle of Britain: Heinkel 111 bombers have attacked airfields and radar stations along the south coast, and a frantic dog-fight has developed as Bf109s of JG-52 clash with Hurricanes of the RAF’s No. 32 Squadron.

Steinhoff’s Bf109E, which dominates the image, provides a magnificently detailed study of this superlative fighter, as he and his fellow Luftwaffe pilots do their best to protect the retreating Heinkels. Below is a wonderful panoramic aerial view of Dover Harbor, the legendary White Cliffs, and the carefully researched landscape showing the south-eastern tip of the British Isles as it was in 1940.

Each print in this edition has been signed by:

General JOHANNES “MACKY” STEINHOFF Knights Cross with Oak Leaves & Swords – 176 victories
After commanding 4./JG52 during the Battle of Britain he transferred to the Eastern Front in June 1941 scoring his 100^th victory there. In April 1943 he took command of JG 77 in North Africa and then moved to Sicily flying missions in the Mediterranean against RAF Fighters in Malta. After the Normandy invasion he was sent to France but in late 1944 took command of the first Me262 unit, JG7, later joining Galland’s JV44, where he scored 6 jet victories before being seriously burned in a crash.  He finished the war with 176 victories and, after the war, rejoined the German Airforce, becoming Chief of Air Staff in 1966.