Description
Rare print
The Third Commemorative Edition in ‘The Battle of Britain Trilogy’
Aircraft –Me109
ADLERTAG’ (EAGLE DAY)
-that was Hitler’s code name for the start of the Luftwaffe’s great and decisive aerial offensive that was intended to bring the RAF to its knees, clear the skies of Spitfires and Hurricanes above the South Coast of England and prepare the way for the 250,000 German troops standing in readiness to cross the Channel.
Like fighter pilots of any airforce the Me109 Geschwaders of the Luftwaffe were made up almost entirely of young men who simply wanted to fly. Primed and ready these combat-experienced pilots were eager for battle. The disadvantage of fighting at the extremity of their range – often allowing them no more than 10 minutes of actual combat – was balanced by well tried battle tactics, great leadership and undisputed courage.
Aldertag saw twelve hours of almost continuous battle, and the uniquely talented aviation artist Robert Taylor takes up the story on this momentous 13th August 1940 when the Luftwaffe staged their most concentrated attacks. A swarm of Me109’s peel off to attack a bunch of Spitfires which have dived out of the sun upon a large formation of HE 111 bombers. Already the lead pair of Me109s are bringing their guns to bear and moments later the two pilots in the foreground will flick-roll their fighters and follow into attack.
Overall print size: 36 inches wide x 26 inches high.
Signed by the artist Robert Taylor and Adolf Galland, Gunther Rall,
Dieter Hrabak, Walter Krupinski
