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A DEADLY ENCOUNTER RAGES HIGH ABOVE THE ITALIAN ALPS AS THE MEN OF THE
12th AIR FORCE BATTLE FORCONTROL OF THE BRENNER PASSDEADLY PASSby Anthony Saunders
Whilst the Allies pushed ever closer towards Berlin, in the south, amidst the snow-capped mountains of the Italian Alps, an equally bitter and increasingly brutal battle was raging as the Axis forces struggled to keep open their last major supply route – the Brenner Pass.
On the ground hundreds of heavy flak batteries now formed a formidable opposition to the American bombers targeting the transport links along the pass. In the air, however, the Luftwaffe had retreated. Fighter operations now rested with the remnants of theANR, orAeronáutica Nationale Republicana,that part of the Italian air force that had remained loyal to Mussolini and the Germans.
Although supplied with the latest Bf109s from their German partners, this ramshackle group of Italian pilots were in short supply of everything – except courage. Even as the last months of the war drew near they battled on, heavily outnumbered but an ever-present threat to the men of the US 12th Air Force.
This dramatic painting depicts one encounter that occurred on 14 March 1945 when B-25 Mitchells from the 321st Bomb Group ran into a group ofANRBf109s from 1 Gruppo Caccia whose top Ace, Major Adriano Visconti, led the charge. His attack, however, was short-lived as he took hits from the P-47D of 2nd Lt Charles Eddy flying escort with the 350th Fighter Group. Visconti was forced to bale out over the snow-clad mountains below.
Adding even greater authenticity to this dramatic work, the artist is joined in signing each print by two highly-decorated pilots who braved theANRonslaught and fought many epic battles over the Italian Alps and the Brenner Pass, creating a historic collectors piece.
THE SIGNATURES
The print is personally autographed by artist Anthony Saunders and two highly decorated pilots who flew and fought in the Italian Theater during WWII:
CaptainDANBOWLING - B-25 Pilot with the21st Bomb Group over Italy
ColonelARTFIEDLER - flew P-47s and P-51s over Italy with the 325th FG - 8 victories
Please note:The prints in my store are hand-signed by the veterans involved in thepainting so the signatures are original autographs and not reproductions.
The certificate of authenticity is included.
CONDITION:My items are guaranteed to be in perfectcondition, any issues are clearly detailed in the description.
SHIPPING:As a former aviation art retailer I have shipped countless prints overthe years. My prints are rolled in acid free tissue and shipped in heavy dutytubes, and the shipping isinsured andguaranteed.
Ifyou are interested in more than one item I will always do my best to combinethe shipping to save costs – please just ask.
