Long Haul to Berlin by Anthony Saunders

In one of their last massed attacks of the war, a group of 25 Me262s, predominately from JG7, engage a formation of B-17s from the 483rd Bomb Group during a mission to attack the Daimler-Benz tank factory in Berlin on 24 March 1945. Luckily for the bombers, their fighter escort, Mustangs from the 332nd Fighter Group – the Red Tails – were on hand to intervene, quickly dispatching three of the German jets in the combat that ensued.

The raid was the longest bombing mission ever undertaken by the US Fifteenth Air Force during World War II – a 1,600 mile round trip involving a grueling ten-hour mission from their bases in southern Italy, crossing the Alps twice. With insufficient fuel to make it back to base, the crews knew that on their return, they would have to land their B-17s on any friendly Allied airfield in northern Italy they could find.

Adding great authenticity to this superb release, the prints are personally autographed by iconic veterans of both the US 15th and 8th Air Forces who fought for Allied victory in Europe during WWII. It is of great significance that this historic edition is also endorsed with the signatures of two iconic Tuskegee P-51 pilots, allowing enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire an important collector’s piece.

Signatures:

Lieutenant Colonel HARRY STEWART Jr. - 301st FS, 332nd FG, 15th AF - He flew 43 combat missions and scored 3 victories on a single mission.

Lieutenant Colonel ROBERT FRIEND - 301st FS, 332nd FG, 15th AF - One of the original Tuskegee pilots, he completed 142 combat missions.

Staff Sergeant DOUGLAS WARD - 301st BG, 15th AF & 305th BG, 8th AF - Flying 37 missions as a Ball Turret Gunner he was often escorted by the Red Tails.

Staff Sergeant RICHARD ‘DICK’ KAMINSKI - 457th BG, 8th AF - Completed 15 daylight missions as a Waist Gunner on B-17s over Europe.