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World War Two ended in Europe
on May 8, 1945. Despite all efforts to defend the Reich, Germany
was finally defeated. Her armed forces including the Luftwaffe,
had fought a bitter fight to the end. But on the morning of May,
the 8th it was all over. Well, almost, but not quite. At 07:00
hours no official word of surrender had been received at the
Luftwaffe airfield near Deutsch-Brod in Czechoslovakia, where
JG 52 was stationed under the command of Erich Hartmann. At dawn
on this historic morning Hartmann, out of habit climbed into
the cockpit of his Me 109G to fly the first mission of the day.
After he had taken off into what was a beautiful early spring
day he routinely patrolled the skies in the vicinity of the airfield
to check for enemy aircraft that might pose a threat to his unit
and airfield. He didn't have to search for long. A few minutes
into the flight he spotted what was at first only a small black
speck on his windscreen. Flying towards it, the speck quickly
became larger until it had grown into the clearly distinguishable
shape of a Soviet Yak 9, bright red star and all. Hartmann didn't
hesitate. With the experience of 351 aerial victories behind
him this unlucky Russian quickly became his 352nd and last victory.
Each print is conservation mounted in corners on a back plate.
A further filler and colour matched double matting gives a three
dimensional effect. The top matt features three cutouts to show
the print's title and a replica of the Luftwaffe day fighter
pilot clasp in gold. Erich Hartmann's original signature is in
the third cutout. |
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