To commemorate one of the greatest aerial victories of the war in Europe, Nicolas Trudgian has painted the 352nd Fighter Group’s ‘Bluenosers’ earning a place in history for their lightning response to the surprise attack on their airfield at Asch, Belgium by the Luftwaffe at dawn on New Year’s Day 1945.
Asch was one of the targets of a German assault, codenamed ‘Operation Bodenplatte’, on many Allied airfields in the Low Countries that morning. The element of surprise served the Luftwaffe well, except at Asch where the 352nd’s commanding officer, Lt. Col. J. C. Meyer, had the foresight to keep the American pilots at readiness for just such an eventuality. So rapid and courageous was the American response that the German attack was repelled, and the 352nd Fighter Group’s 487th Fighter Squadron was subsequently awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation.
Each print of this Limited Edition has been signed by no fewer than SIX pilots of the 352nd Fighter Group ‘Bluenosers’.*
*The Canvas Giclee Edition is signed by the artist solely, in paint.
# Signatures: Lt Col DONALD S. BRYAN DSC, DFC (2 OLC), Air Medal (14 OLC), DUC
# Major ALDEN P. RIGBY Silver Star, Air Medal (7 OLC), DUC
# Capt. ROBERT ‘PUNCHY’ POWELL DFC (2 OLC), Air Medal (3 OLC), DUC
# Col WALTER E. STARCK DFC (2 OLC), Air Medal (OLC), Purple Heart, DUC, AFCM
# Lt Col CHESTER V. HARKER DFC (1 OLC), Air Medal (10 OLC), DUC
# Lt Col RAYMOND R. MITCHELL DFC, Air Medal (5 OLC), DUC
