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Horrido
On this day, American bombers concentrated their attacks on
German oil targets. A record force of 1,282 heavy bombers was dispatched,
accompanied by 1,200 escort fighters, and mounted strikes on a variety of
targets. American strategy called for the leading bomb wings to hit other
important targets in the vicinity of the oil facilities, as a ruse. The plan
worked. Thirteen combat wings of American bombers suffered no losses at all to
enemy aircraft.
The Luftwaffe did, however, have 300 fighters waiting
for the leading wings over Magdeburg, and these Fortresses were hit hard. One of
the German pilots was Feldwebel Horst Petzschler of 2/JG3, flying at high
altitude with Feldwebel Oscar Boesch. Homing in on the American aircraft,
Petzschler managed to shoot down a P-51 at approximately 12:20 p.m. Very recent
investigation has revealed that this was most likely the aircraft of Captain
Woodward (Woody) Anderson of the 486th Fighter Squadron, 352nd Fighter Group. In
all, 40 American aircraft were lost during the day's raids.
Petzschler's Messerschmitt Bf-109G-6 AS was also
damaged during the fight and he had to bale out of his aircraft during this
engagement. The Leica gun camera in the left wingtip was later salvaged from the
wreck. The rest of the aircraft was destroyed on impact with the ground.
Petzschler consequently had to wait some time before his P-51 could be
confirmed.
'Horrido!' is a graphic portrayal of this epic battle,
placing Petzschler and Boesch above the bomber stream, with the latter turning
and diving for the initial attack. Petzschler has seen the P-51s, and is banking
to engage. His aircraft was notable for the light camouflage paint it wore for
the high altitude role it served. Coincidentally, both of these pilots flew the
same numbered aircraft this day: Black 14.
'Horrido' was the Luftwaffe fighter pilots' war cry.
Print Information:
Overall size: 34" x 24"
50 Artist Proofs, with TWO co-signatures, $185
Main numbers: 1 to 500, with TWO co-signatures, $155
50 Special Edition, with TWO co-signatures (remarqued), $245
