Nicolas Trudgian’s breathtaking canvas takes us to the ice-gripped foothills of the Caucasus Mountains and the fiery centre of yet another dogfight for Gerhard Barkhorn on his long and hard road to becoming the second-highest scoring ace in aviation history.

By the early months of 1943, the situation for the Germans on the Eastern Front was becoming desperate. Von Paulus’ 6th Army at Stalingrad was doomed after a hastily conceived offensive to relieve them had failed to break through to the city. Instead, Field Marshal Erich Von Manstein was forced onto the defensive by a huge Soviet counter-attack that now threatened to destroy the whole German campaign in the Soviet Union. The savage winter weather made it all the more difficult for the Germans. In the air, the Luftwaffe found themselves flying in appalling conditions, and heavy snow blizzards and ice on airfields made operations treacherous. Luftwaffe fighter units were ordered to assist the hard-pressed German army by flying ground-attack sorties, missions not really suited to their Me109 fighters. To enhance their firepower, extra gun-packs were fitted beneath the wings of the Messerschmitts and JG52 went in search of any enemy ground targets they could find. Many of the leading Luftwaffe aces were involved in this new tactic including one of the finest, Gerhard Barkhorn, who had flown with JG52 since the Battle of Britain.

In Nicolas Trudgian’s atmospheric painting set in January 1943, the Me109G’s of 4./JG52, led by Staffelkapitan Gerhard Barkhorn, have encountered Russian Il-2 ground attack aircraft intent on attacking any Panzers in the path of the advance. The Me109G’s have pounced and dispersed the Russian attack while, below, elements of a badly outnumbered 6th Panzer Division, which include obsolete Panzer II’s, engage T-34 tanks of the Red Army in an attempt to halt the Soviet offensive.

Already awarded the coveted Knight’s Cross, Barkhorn was awarded the Oak Leaves after scoring his 105th victory during this bitter winter struggle. He would later be appointed to lead II/JG52 and would be the first German pilot to reach 1000 sorties. In May 1944, Barkhorn was badly wounded and while convalescing, his rival, Erich Hartmann, surpassed him in the victory count. On his return to combat, Barkhorn flew missions with Hartmann over Hungary but was never able regain his title as the highest scoring ace. As the war drew to a close, Gerhard Barkhorn left JG52 to join Adolf Galland’s famous ‘JV44’, flying the renowned Me262 jet fighter, rounding off a remarkable combat flying career. His final score of 301 victories made him, after Erich Hartmann, the second-highest in aviation history.

THE BROCH REMARQUE EDITION
Limited to 15 worldwide
Each print has a unique original pencil drawing inscribed on it by the artist and is signed by the Artist and Fighter Ace Hugo Broch KC.

Image size 25” x 17” (640mm x 430mm) approx.
Overall print size 34.5” x 25” (880mm x 640mm) approx.

Drawing size approx. 6" x 2" and can be drawn to your own specifications. When placing your order please specify your drawing requirements or whether you would like Nicolas to design it for you.

As this is a bespoke order please allow up to 4 weeks before shipping.


THE ADLER REMARQUE EDITION
Limited to 15 worldwide
Each print has a unique original pencil drawing inscribed on it by the Artist and is signed by the Artist and the following 16 outstanding Luftwaffe Fighter Aces:
Franz-Josef Beerenbrock KCO
Hans-Ekkehard Bob KC
Hugo Broch KC
Hugo Dahmer KC
Adolf Dickfeld KCO
Wolfdieter Huy KCO
Heinz Lange KC
Heinz Marquardt KC
Hermann Neuhoff KC
Günther Rall KCOS
Edmund Rossmann KC
Erich Rudorffer KCOS
Walter Schuck KCO
Otto Schultz KC
Franz Woidich KC
Walter Wolfrum KC

Image size 25” x 17” (640mm x 430mm) approx.
Overall print size 34.5” x 25” (880mm x 640mm) approx.

Drawing size approx. 6" x 2" and can be drawn to your own specifications. When placing your order please specify your drawing requirements or whether you would like Nicolas to design it for you.

As this is a bespoke order please allow up to 4 weeks before shipping.