Standing silently today in the fields near Bassingbourn, England, one can hear the rustling stalks of grain as they sway in the gentle breezes, accompanied by the song of an occasional meadow lark. It is the picture of peace and tranquility. But it was not always so. To understand the significance of these fields, one must squint through the mists of time, back some sixty years ago, when those fields were occupied by the 91st Bomb Group (H), Eighth U.S. Army Air Force.
Back then, those same fields of wheat and oats lay flattened under the enormous wind generated by hundreds of radial engines, in preparation for an air armada destined for the Ruhr Valley in Germany. The ground would shake and the air would vibrate as wave after wave of Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses lumbered down the airstrip under the weight of their lethal loads as they struggled to gain altitude for the day's mission. These were strikes to targets that would soon become familiar names to the young Americans who prepared the planes and the ones who flew them. Names like Hamm, Bremen, Meresburg, and Schweinfurt. They named their planes after their hometown sweethearts, or from a sense of patriotism, of just from a sense of humor. Names like 'General Ike,' 'Nine-0-Nine,' 'Outhouse Mouse,' 'The Wild Hare,' 'Hellsapoppin,' 'Memphis Belle,' and 'Mary Ruth' are some.
The crews who returned to Bassingbourn were not the same as when they left. High over Germany they had experienced a terror that few could imagine. German fighters, anti-aircraft shells, sub-zero temperatures and the loss of close friends had altered their lives forever.
The world has turned many times since those dark days when the men of the 91st BG began building their proud history. A history based on duty, personal sacrifice and belief in God and country. The fields around Bassingbourn have returned to their rural past as the men and machines have all but faded into the mists of time. What remains, as if distilled through the years, is the legend of the 'Ragged Irregulars", the men who answered Freedom's call with their blood, sweat and tears.
In Robert Bailey's exhilarating print, "Ruhr Valley Raiders", Flying Fortresses of the 91st are seen high over Germany's heartland in early 1944. Cleared from the flak corridor over the target, aircrews are set upon by waves of cannon-equipped Me 109 'experten,' specifically trained to attack the multi-engine bombers. The men respond at every station with their twin fifties. It will be a long ride home…
The 91st Bomb Group was first over the Ruhr Valley to Hamm, and led both Schweinfurt missions in 1943. They received credit for shooting down more enemy aircraft then any other group in the Eighth USAAF, and suffered the highest overall loss rate of any B-17 Group, with only 12% of original crews surviving the war. The B-17s portrayed here are Nine-0-Nine, The Wild Hare and General Ike.
This limited edition print commemorates the 60th anniversary of the 91st Bomb Group. It is signed by 13 veterans of the 91st Bomb Group:
1st Lieutenant Andrew D. Caswell
1st Lieutenant Ralph Danekas
2nd Lieutenant Herbert F. Egender
1st Lieutenant Edward Gates
Sergeant Joe Harlick
1st Lieutenant John W. Howland
1st Lieutenant Hal Johnson
1st Lieutenant Harold W. Lasch
Sergeant G. Paul Lynch
1st Lieutenant Donald Scott Murray
Technical Sergeant Steve Perri
Technical Sergeant Cliff Schultz
1st Lieutenant A. J. Sinibaldo
Matted below the print are the following:
The photograph on the left, taken inside a B-17 at the waist gunners' position, shows two crewmen with belts of .50 caliber machine gun ammunition around their necks. The photograph on the right is of a formation of B-17G's (picture credits: USAAF). In the center are reproduction USAAF Pilot Wing, Bombardier Wing, and Eighth USAAF Shoulder Patch (we can accommodate requests for the type of wings you would like: Command Pilot, Pilot, Navigator, Bombardier, Aerial Gunner). The print is matted in medium blue, with a subdued-red inner mat. The matted print measures 28" x 38". A Certificate of Authenticity issued by the publisher is included. The optional frame is solid wood, with a cherry finish (other colors are available. Contact us for info). Please see the "Frame Info" tab for complete information on how we frame our artwork. |
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