Lancaster Under Attack by Robert Taylor

Resurrected from within Robert Taylor’s personal archives is one of the most dramatic studies the artist has ever produced.

Robert sets the scene in the night skies over Osterfeld in December 1944 in which a Lancaster from 626 Squadron is forced to take evasive action as a Bf110 G-4 night-fighter makes a close pass beneath it.

Both pilots are locked in a dangerous duel as they battle to out-maneuver each other. The Lancaster, hampered by damage, jinks through the darkness whilst the Luftwaffe pilot is forced to quickly dive away to avoid the stream of tracer emanating from the bomber’s front turret. The contest could go either way.

To achieve accuracy, Robert consulted veterans from both sides of the drama. Flight Lieutenant Bill Reid who served as a pilot on Lancasters with 61 and 617 Squadrons and was the recipient of the Victoria Cross, provided a chilling insight into what it was like being on the receiving end of such an encounter. At the same time, Major Martin Drewes, one of the most formidable Luftwaffe night-fighter pilots of the war, described such an action from the attacker’s point of view. On seeing this drawing, Drewes said he was ‘deeply impressed by Robert’s unrivalled artistry and insight’. Both men went on to sign the limited edition print of Robert’s painting and are now also featured as part of this highly-restricted Masterwork edition.

Signatures:

Wing Commander JOHN BELL MBE DFC Ld’H – Bomb Aimer with 619 & 617 Sqns (On print)

Flight Lieutenant RUSSELL WAUGHMAN DFC AFC Ld’H – Pilot with 101 (Special Duties) Sqn (On print)

Flight Lieutenant BILL REID VC – Pilot with 61 & 617 Sqns (Matted)

Squadron Leader TONY IVESON DFC – Pilot with 616 & 617 Sqns (Matted)

Squadron Leader NORMAN SCRIVENER DSO DFC – Navigator with 75 (NZ) 97 & 83 (Pathfinder) Sqns (Matted)

Gruppenkommandeur MARTIN DREWES Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves – Pilot with ZG76, NJG3 & NJG1 / 52 victories (Matted)

Major WERNER HOFFMAN Knight’s Cross – Pilot with ZG52 & NJG3 / 52 victories (Matted)

Oberst WOLFGANG FALCK Knight’s Cross – Pilot with ZG1 & NJG1 / 7 victories (Matted)

Major PAUL ZORNER Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves – Pilot with NJG2, NJG3 & NJG100 / 59 victories (Matted)

Oberfeldwebel GÜNTHER BAHR Knights Cross – Pilot with SKG210, ZG1, NJG4 & NJG6 / 37 victories (Matted)