FURY OF ASSAULT

(The London Blitz)
by Robert Taylor

The Blitz of London

When Luftwaffe bombers first appeared in force in the night skies over London in September 1940 they heralded the beginning of The London Blitz - in the fury of assault. The most sustained period of concentrated bombing aimed at British cities during World War II.

When, at the height of the Battle of Britain, Luftwaffe Supremo Hermann Goering made a decision to blitz London and other major cities, his tactical blunder would ultimately change the course of the war. His flawed judgement to shift the Luftwaffe's attacks away from RAF airfields and radar stations was a ruthless attempt to break the morale of the civilian population, and force Britain to its knees.

Devastating as the long night raids were, his brutal plan failed, and with RAF fighters gradually winning control of the skies over southern England, Hitler's preparations to invade England were cancelled.

The London Blitz opened with a force of nearly 350 German bombers, escorted by 600 fighters, unloading their mix of incendiary and high explosive bombs into the heart of the city, with wave after wave following through that first September night. The horrifying air raids continued relentlessly throughout the bleak winter into 1941, the chilling sound of air raid sirens a nightly occurrence. And as the bombs rained down on London, Coventry, and other cities, the night sky over southern England was aglow with the flames of destruction.

The bombardment continued without respite for nearly eight months and by the last night of the Blitz in May 1941, over 43,000 people had lost their lives, tens of thousands injured, and a million houses destroyed; but the spirit of the British people never wavered.

Robert Taylor's evocative new painting brings to life the frightening scenario of the Luftwaffe's night bombing campaign during the Blitz. It is December 1941, and London is once again under concentrated attack. With fires raging below, the armada of German bombers is clearly visible in the night sky as they sweep across the city. Shimmering in the glow of destruction, a lone Hurricane night-fighter from 85 Squadron, based at nearby Gravesend, engages Heinkel Ills of KG55 in a desperate attempt to break up the formations.

This important painting - by the world's premier aviation artist - portrays one of the most critical periods in Britain's long history. Beautifully reproduced Limited Edition prints, signed by four decorated Luftwaffe aircrew who flew Heinkels over England during the Blitz, and an RAF Hurricane night-fighter pilot, will become a valuable addition to the portfolios of serious collectors of aviation art.

This new Commemorative Limited Edition is signed by FIVE veterans who flew and fought in the night skies over England during 'The Blitz'.

Adding great authenticity to each print in Robert Taylor's dramatic new five-signature Commemorative Limited Edition print FURY OF ASSAULT, every copy has been individually hand-signed in pencil by four Luftwaffe Heinkel pilots who flew with KG55 during World War II. They are joined by an RAF Hurricane night-fighter pilot. Every print is signed by the artist Robert Taylor, and individually hand numbered.

Oberleutnant JOACHIM BERKING
Joining the Luftwaffe in November 1939, Joachim Berking was commissioned and trained as a pilot on Ju52s and Hellls as part of KG53 based at Lille in northern France. In May 1942 he was posted to KG55 Grief in Russia, joining the 4th Staffel based in Djepropetrowsk, where he completed 291 combat missions, of which 60 were night operations. In November 1943 he returned to France to become head of training of 11 ./KG55 at Dijon. After this posting he converted to fighters, training on the Mel09, and in April 1945 was posted to command 4./JG27 Marseille. He received the Iron Cross I and II, the German Cross in Gold, and a special honorary trophy from Reichsmarschall Hermann Goering for outstanding services in air combat.

Unteroffizier Fahnenjunker WALTER BOGDAN
Walter Bogdan joined the Luftwaffe in March 1941, and after completing his training as a radio operator, was posted to join KG55 flying Heinkel Hellls. He flew over 110 combat missions in Hell Is as radio operator to Leutnant Kessler. On their seventh mission they were forced to make an emergency landing during the siege of Stalingrad, and in April 1944 encountered a second emergency landing on his 75th mission. His final and 110th mission occured in July 1944 when, attacking Brjansk railway station, his aircraft was hit 122 times, but he and his pilot managed to get their aircraft safely home.

Oberleutnant KARL-HORST MEYER zum FELDE
With a passion for flying Karl-Horst joined the Luftwaffe in October 1938, and following the outbreak of war he flew night operations as a pilot with KG55 over France before taking part in the great Blitz raids over England. After the invasion of Russia he transferred to the Eastern Front and fought at Stalingrad, making several emergency landings including one major incident when, having lost an engine to enemy action, he made a forced landing on one engine in the countryside of south Russia, where he had to join German ground units. He flew both Hellls and Ju88s during the war, and was awarded the German Cross in Gold.

Oberleutnant HEINRICH SUDEL
Having joined the Luftwaffe in 1937, Heinrich Sudel was an experienced Observer in Hellls by the time war broke out. He flew a total of 408 combat missions in Heinkels, both in the West over France and England, and on the Eastern Front. In September 1940 whilst over England, his aircraft was badly damaged by RAF fighters, but his pilot managed to reach the safety of the French coast on one engine. He finished the war commanding I./KG55, and had been awarded the Knight's Cross, the Iron Cross I and II, and the German Cross in Gold.

Flight Lieutenant ROY DAINES DFM*
Roy Daines joined the RAF as soon as he was able, and after completing his hurried training as a pilot, was posted to join 247 Squadron in the autumn of 1940. Here he flew Gladiators and Hurricanes on coastal patrols, 247 being the only squadron to fly Gladiators during the Battle of Britain, before converting to night-fighting Hurricanes. Later, in 1943, he flew Typhoons with 247 before being posted to join 65 Squadron flying Spitfires and Mustangs.

Overall print size: 29" wide x 23.5/8" high

FURY OF ASSAULT
by Robert Taylor

THE LIMITED EDITION
700 signed & numbered prints
US$ 320

50 Artist Proofs
US$ 520

Including Free Shipping Within The United States
Florida Sales Tax 7%.

Overall print size: 29" wide x 23 5/8" high
Image size: 22 1/2" wide x 16" high
Acid Free Permanent Paper
(A Remarque Edition may be issued at a later date)

"Tally Ho!"

IMPORTANT! Before you purchase, please visit our home page ('MilitaryArt Home' in the left column), for vital information, regarding methods of payment.

Here, you will find a growing number of mainly, limited edition prints, for your collections. These will have been painted, or drawn, by some of the finest military artists in the world today.

If you are searching for a particular print, or subject, then please ask me and I shall do my best to track it/them down for you. Just send me a request signal. CLICK HERE.

Don't forget to bookmark this page, chaps.

Cheers,

FURY OF ASSAULT