Running The Gauntlet by Robert Taylor
Me262s of JV44 return to base in southern Germany, having come under attack from P-51 Mustangs of the 353rd Fighter Group.
An outstanding release, individually signed by General Adolf Galland.
Though some 1400 of Germany’s remarkable Me262 jet aircraft were built, fewer than 300 ever saw action during its short 10 month combat career, the 550 mph fighter-bomber arriving in service too late to make any impression on the course of the war.
Most famous of all Me262 units was Jagdverband 44, commanded by General Adolf Galland. Instructed by Hitler to set up a small defensive fighter unit to make the most of the new Me262, Galland’s JV44 attracted other top-scoring pilots, including top aces Macky Steinhoff and Walter Krupinski, and the unit soon became dubbed Galland’s Squadron of Experts.
Though doing their best to repel daylight attacks on jet production plants in Southern Germany, JV44 were fighting a losing battle. During a raid on 9 April 1945 the unit lost nine aircraft – a pattern that was to continue. Also, American fighter pilots, unable to catch the 262 in the air, found success taking the jets out as they took off or landed, catching them while at their most vulnerable. With the Allies driving deeper and deeper into Germany, production of aircraft, spares, fuel, and ammunition, steadily dried up. The point came when JV44, Galland’s now legendary Squadron of Experts, finally ground to a halt.
Running the Gauntlet, a superb painting by Robert Taylor, shows Me262s of JV44 returning to base in southern Germany, having come under attack from P-51 Mustangs of the 353rd Fighter Group. Almost out of fuel and ammunition, the Me262s have little option but to complete their landing sequence, hoping fervently they are not “bounced” by American fighters loitering in the area. They are out of luck on this occasion, and although Galland has organised a unit flying Focke-Wulf Fw190D-9s to provide air cover in the area of the airfield, they too have been caught by the 353rd Fighter Group’s surprise attack. At the relatively slow speed required on final approach, the Me262’s handling is sluggish and the pilot is having enough trouble without the attentions of a bunch of P-51 pilots. At this point the JV44 Me262 remains unscathed, and with the arrival of the Fw190s, there is the possibility this particular jet pilot will survive the day.
The signatories in this edition represent an unbelievable tally of almost 1100 victories.
THE ACES EDITION
Joining artist Robert Taylor, each print has been individually signed in pencil by FOUR outstanding WWII fighter pilots.
- Major General DONALD J. STRAIT
- Lieutenant Colonel CLYDE B. EAST
- Leutnant NORBERT HANNIG
- Leutnant WALTER SCHUCK
THE WAR IN EUROPE EDITION
The EIGHT signature WAR IN EUROPE Edition is additionally signed by the following four fighter Aces.
- Colonel DONALD CUMMINGS
- Brigadier General ROBIN OLDS
- Major ERIC RUDORFFER
- Leutnant ALFRED AMBS
THE GENERAL’S EDITION
With all the signatures of The ‘War in Europe Edition’, the ‘Generals Edition’ is signed by the following additional fighter Aces. Furthermore each individual print was signed in pencil during his lifetime by General Adolf Galland, and they are now released. There are a total of TWELVE signatures in this highly collectible edition.
- Captain JIM BROOKS
- Colonel WALKER ‘BUD’ MAHURIN
- Generalleutnant ADOLF GALLAND
- Feldwebel ERNEST GIEFING
