The role of the Luftwaffe's night-fighter force was one of the most difficult and dangerous jobs of them all. During their long, defensive campaign they became highly feared by opposition crews, but they were eventually overwhelmed by the sheer numbers and tactics as RAF Bomber Command increased their night-time offensive against the industrial heartlands of Hitler's Third Reich.
Rightly regarded as the world's premier aviation artist, Robert's masterful drawing depicts a flight of Bf110 Night Fighters climbing steadily in the evening cloud towards their designated fighting zone and the prospect of encountering incoming RAF bombers.
Over the years Robert personally got to know several Luftwaffe aircrew who flew those arduous night-time missions including Major Martin Drewes who, in Robert's
Air Combat Paintings Volume IV book (2000), recalled; "Our task was to combat the continuous bombing raids on strategic and tactical targets as part of preparations for the forthcoming invasion."
Adding great historical authenticity, prints are mounted to full conservation standards to include a museum quality reproduction Short Range Nahnachtjäger (night-fighter) clasp and six original autographs of pilots and aircrew who flew Bf110 Night Fighters in combat during the Second World War. The famous names include Robert's friend, Martin Drewes, along with Georg-Hermann Greiner who was a pilot credited with 51 aerial victories and Friedrich Rumplehardt who took part in 100 night victories as a radio / radar operator.
Signatures:Leutnant ANTON HEINEMANN - German Cross in Gold, Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross - NJG 2 - took part in 56 victories as a Radio Operator
Oberfeldwebel GÜNTHER BAHR - Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross - ZG 1, NJG 1, NJG 4, NJG 6 - Pilot & Ace with 37 victories
Major MARTIN DREWES - Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves - ZG76, NJG 3, III./NJG 1 - Pilot & Ace with 52 victories
Hauptmann GEORG-HERMANN GREINER - Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves - 10./NJG 1, 11./NJG 1, IV./NJG 1 - Pilot & Ace with 51 victories
Leutnant FRIEDRICH 'FRITZ' RUMPELHARDT Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross - NJG 1, NJG 4 - took part in 100 victories as a Radio / Radar Operator
Hauptmann PETER SPODEN German Cross in Gold - 6./NJG 5, 5./NJG 5, III./NJG 6, II./NJG 6 - Pilot & Ace with 24 victories
The role of the Luftwaffe's night-fighter force was one of the most difficult and dangerous jobs of them all. During their long, defensive campaign they became highly feared by opposition crews, but they were eventually overwhelmed by the sheer numbers and tactics as RAF Bomber Command increased their night-time offensive against the industrial heartlands of Hitler's Third Reich.
