R-Bar Over Bielefeld by Jim Laurier

On November 2, 1944, Consolidated B-24 Liberators of the 489th Bomb Group, Eighth U.S. Army Air Force, were sent to destroy the railroad marshalling yards at Bielefeld, Germany. After completing the bombing run, the Liberators were met by the new German jet fighters, the Messerschmitt Me-262, in what is believed to be one of the earliest jet attacks against U.S. heavy bombers. This was the 489th's first encounter with the Me-262, although rumors had been circulating through the squadrons during the preceding weeks about the strange new German aircraft.

As the B-24 "R-Bar" was leading the high element off the bombing run, pilots and crew could see some aircraft circling in a lazy eight pattern high above and in front of them. Suddenly, as if on cue, the jets, believed to be from III/ EJG 2 based at Lechfeld, came diving down through the bombers with blinding speed. The jets were able to complete only one firing pass before they were chased off by P-47 Thunderbolts that were escorting the bombers.

The high rate of closing speed in a head-on attack had made it almost impossible for the new jets to hit anything. As a result, the frontal attack was soon discarded by the Luftwaffe and a rear attack tactic was adopted which gave the jets more time to acquire a target and fire their guns and rockets.

In the brief encounter depicted in "R-Bar Over Bielefeld" by Jim Laurier, 12 Liberators of the 489^th BG survive the attack by the ME-262's. One B-24 has an engine that is smoking due to flak damage which occurred previously while on the bomb run. However, all aircraft made it home safely on this day with no losses on either side.

The following are matted below the print:

A photograph of a B-24 releasing its ordnance (picture credit: USAAF), as well as reproduction USAAF Command Pilot Wing, Aerial Gunner 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 an olive green inner mat. The matted print measures 24" x 31". 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.