Night Hunters by Anthony Saunders

In a desperate attempt to save what remained of the once-proud, now ruined city of Berlin, the remnants of the Luftwaffe’s beleaguered night-fighter units fought boldly till the end. Short on fuel, spares and ammunition, the pilots of NJG11 faced the impossible task of protecting the shattered capital from the far-reaching arm of the RAF Bomber Command.

As the climax of the inevitable defeat approaches, Leutnant Jorg Czypionka of 10./NJG11 engages a powerful incoming force of fast, high-flying RAF Mosquitos from 139 (Jamaica) Squadron (PFF) in one of his unit’s few remaining ME262A jets. The Mosquito crews, however, know the dangers of these hotly contested skies over Berlin only too well. From the night of 20/21 February the aircraft of 139 Squadron will run the deadly gauntlet of flak and night-fighters on 36 consecutive night attacks on the city.

Anthony Saunders’ powerful new painting Night Hunters – released as part of a new portfolio – depicts this legendary endgame as adversaries engage in deadly duels over Berlin.

Signatures:

Flying Officer Mike BAYON DFC - Navigator with 139 Sqn, Light Night Strike Force

Flight Lieutenant George CASH DFC - Navigator with 139 Sqn, Light Night Strike Force

Leutnant Jorg CZYPIONKA Iron Cross - Flew Me262 night-fighter 'Red 6' with NJG11 scoring two victories