Description
“Well, Brad,” stated US General Bedell Smith, “you’ve always asked for a counter-offensive. It seems, you’ve got yourself one.” General Omar Bradley, studying the situation maps, replied “Well yes, but I’ll be damned if I wanted one this big!”
The two American veterans were observing the initial openings of the last great German offensive in the West, Operation Herbstnebel or Autum Fog – better known to history as the Battle of the Bulge.
The Germans had collected their last remaining reserves of infantry and tanks in a bold attempt to turn the tide in the West but were painfully aware of the awesome power of the Allied Air Forces, who could call upon 4,700 fighters and over 6,000 medium and heavy bombers! This aerial threat forced the German Commander, Von Rundstedt, to commence the offensive during a prolonged period of adverse weather.
At 530hrs on December 16th, 1944, the great Offensive went in, the Germans knowing that, if they did not reach their objectives within forty-eight hours, all was lost. The onslaught caught the Americans completely by surprise and the Germans made substantial gains, pushing on towards the Allied strong points of St Vith, and the then-unknown town of Bastogne. The German Panzer forces, which contained large numbers of deadly Panther and Tiger tanks smashed their way forwards until, by December 21st, Bastogne was completely cut off from the Allied front line. Within the town the US 101st Airborne resolved to fighting to the bitter end, gritting its teeth for the furious onslaught to come. At the Allied airbases the aircrews, desperate to get into the fight, waited for a improvement in the weather, particularly those of 9th Air Force. It was they who would take the war back to the Germans when the weather improved – but would it improve in time?
P47 Thunderbolts of the 406th Fighter Group, in company with P38 Lightning’s, support the advancing armor of General George Patton’s US Third Army as they prepare to relieve the battered 101st Airborne Division from their heroic defense of Bastogne during the final climax to the Battle of the Bulge, 24 December 1944.
The Battle of the Bulge was one of the largest land battles of WWII with more than a million American, British and German troops involved, incurring huge casualties on all sides and this release pays tribute to the sacrifice of Allied Forces, during this important milestone in World War II.
THE SIGNATURES
Along with artist Nicolas Trudgian, these prints are also signed by a 406th Fighter Group pilot and seven veterans who fought at Bastogne.
First Lieutenant HOWARD M PARK
Sergeant WILLIAM TRUE
Private FRANK DENISON
Corporal GORDON HEARNE
Corporal PETER HOWENSTEIN
Sergeant JOHN MOSLEY
Staff Sergeant MURRAY SHAPIRO
Sergeant EGBERT “DUKE” BUNIFF
THE REMARQUE
This print was returned to the artist’s studio for an original pencil drawing to be created in the border, making this a totally unique piece.
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