Bear

			BEAR TRAP Print By Robert Bailey 24" X 34" AUTHENTIC October 1943. Eastern front, Northern sector near Smolensk. Horst Petzschler's FW-190 of JG-51 covers Hans Rudel's Stuka attack against a Russian tank/truck convoy as it crosses a clearing in the forest. German tanks and anti-tank guns have also ambushed the convoy.




	By the autumn of 1943 the eastern front was in a desperate predicament for Germany. Crippled with a Fuhrer who insisted upon making battle plans with a disregard for his generals' warnings, the German army endured unbelievable hardships. In addition to facing another brutal Russian winter, battling on two fronts was draining her ability to combat her foe to the east. Russia, supported by bustling war factories safe in the Ural Mountains, had allies who were sending war materials to her growing army and air forces. The tide of battle had taken a bad turn for the Wehrmacht. But despite the mounting pressure and defeats, the Germans put up a stiff resistance as they retreated further west toward their homeland. The superior training, from Field Marshall on down to the regular foot soldier, allowed the Germans to withdraw in an orderly fashion across natural obstacles that otherwise could have proved disastrous. Supported by an overtaxed Lufwaffe, the German army put up a valiant fight. Air cover and ground attack units of the German air force had spent many years working out their mutually supportive roles that had their origins in the Spanish Civil War. In Robert Baileys latest painting, titled Bear Trap, German field artillery has surprised an advancing Russian armored column near the town of Smolensk during October, 1943. Panzers clash with Russian T-34s. In the foreground, a T-34 is still racing forward, a blazing wreck. Around the perimeter of the forest clearing are dug-in German positions, firing upon the Russians. Low left, three Russian soldiers sneak up behind German tanks. In right mid-ground, another T-34 is abandoned by its crew. The shadow of the giant explosions in the background partly conceals the stalled Russian column, as troops mill around. Above the ground battle, Stukas from Schlachtgeschwader 2 (Oberst Hans Ulrich Rudel), escorted by Focke Wulf 190s of JG-51 (Horst Petzschier), pound the Russian armor with cannon and bombs, effectively halting the advance of their foe. Near the horizon, Yak-9s swarm into th frav, and a Sturmovik spots a Ju-52 which is dropping supplies to a German unit in a nearby battle. As the Russians reel in the shock of the ambush, the Germans have resisted the charge of the Russian Bear, if only in a momentary victory. Note: Oberst Hans Ulrich Rudel was the sole recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds. Print Information: Overall Size: 24' x 34" 400 Limited Edition prints: $175 25 Artist's Proofs: $225 40 Special Editions (remarqued): $325 The Signatures: Oscar Boesch, a native of Austria, grew up in the mountains and was inspired by the eagles to fly. Boesch joined the Lufwaffe in August 1942 and volunteered for Sturm Staffel 1, a special unit which attacked American daylight bombers. During his first mission in April 1944 he crash landed and flipped his 190 onto its back. He was shot down in May but went on to reach a score of 18 victories, earning him the Iron Cross First and and Second class. While with JG-3, Oscar escorted Oberst Hans Ulrich Rudel's Stukas on the eastern front during ground support missions for the Battle of Berlin, April 1945 Horst Petzschler began his Lufwaffe career on the Russian front in September 1943 and flew over 100 missions. Hit once by Soviet flak, he bailed out but was saved bv German troops. On many occasions during his service with JG-51, he supported Stuka attacks on Russian ground forces, including attacks led by Oberst Hans Ulrich Rudel. Horst scored 22 Soviet victories in addition to four more victories on the western front by war's end (flying the Bf- 109). He was awarded the Day Fighter Operational Flying Clasp (Gold) in March 1944 after his 110th operational flight. He also received the Iron Cross First and Second Class. Emmigrating to America after his release, he lived in California, and presently resides in Kansas. Shipping cost: $10.00 Combine orders and reduce your shipping costs As there are many different prints for sale if you wish to purchase one please click the email link here and let us know the type of print you wish to order or you may call us at 1-800-785-8644

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