April 1945: and deep in southern Germany what little remained of the Luftwaffe found itself hard pressed by the Americans advancing from the west and the Soviets from the east. There was nowhere to run to - but there was somewhere to hide.
With their main airfields harassed and destroyed, the embers of the Luftwaffe took shelter wherever they could. Often operating from simple roads of grass strips carved from pastures within the dark, deep forests of Bavaria, the Luftwaffe did what it could to stop the inevitable endgame. But, low on fuel, ammunition and spares it was all too little, too late.
Richard Taylor's impressive piece titled
Stormbirds in Bavaria depicts two of the last working Me262 jet fighter-bombers from II./KG54 as they emerge from hiding within the trees and are prepared for one of their final missions of the war. The roar of jet engines, however, will soon be heard no more. Final surrender is near and tranquillity will once again descend on this beautiful Alpine pasture.
Adding significant historical authenticity, each print was personally signed a number of years ago by one of the great Luftwaffe Aces to fly the Me262 in combat during the war, Major Erich Rudorffer. Every copy is then issued mounted to full conservation standards to display a further five original autographs of Me262 pilots to create a unique collector's piece. The famous names include Generalleutnant Adolf Galland and Major Hans-Ekkehard Bob who were both instrumental in the development of this revolutionary jet.
Signatures: Only TWENTY copies are available worldwide, each mounted to include a total of SIX veteran signatures:
Major ERICH RUDORFFER (signed print) - Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves & Swords - 222 victories
General JOHANNES 'MACKY' STEINHOFF (matted) - Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves & Swords - 178 victories
Generalleutnant ADOLF GALLAND (matted) - Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords & Diamonds - 104 victories
Feldwebel ERNEST GIEFING (matted) - Iron Cross - 6 victories
Leutnant ALFRED AMBS (matted) - 7 victories
Major HANS-EKKEHARD BOB (matted) - Knight's Cross - 60 victories
April 1945: and deep in southern Germany what little remained of the Luftwaffe found itself hard pressed by the Americans advancing from the west and the Soviets from the east. There was nowhere to run to - but there was somewhere to hide.
