Original Item. Only One Available. This is a signed print of “Duel in the Dark” by Robert Taylor, signed at the bottom by five Knight’s Cross Recipients. The print is limited edition, numbered 180/350.

The five signers include:

Wolfgang Falck KC
After serving in Poland, Wolfgang Falck served in the western campaign as Kommandeur of 1./ZGI. In June 1940 he was appointed Kommodore NJG1, the largest geschwader in the Luftwaffe. During this time the greatest night-fighter Aces were under his command. In July 1943 he joined the staff of Luftflotte Reich responsible for the day and night-fighter defence of the Reich. In the Autumn of 1944 he was appointed fighter Leader in the Balkans, and later head of staff for flying training. Wolfgang Falck flew 90 missions, and was awarded the Knights Cross in 1940.

Werner Hoffmann KC
Werner Hoffmann flew with one of the first ‘Destroyer’ units, I./ZG52, during the western campaign scoring his first victory, a Spitfire, over Dunkirk. After being wounded he served as Staffelkapitän with Ergänzungs-Zerstorer Gruppe in Denmark, before re-training as a night-fighter. Becoming Staffelkapitän of 5./NJG3, he took part in the Channel Dash operation. In July 1943 he was appointed Gruppenkomandeur of I./NJG5. He flew almost 200 missions, scoring 51 night victories and 1 day victory. Awarded the Knights Cross in 1943 he was nominated for the Oak Leaves.

Paul Zorner KC
Originally a transport pilot, Paul Zorner flew in North Africa, the Mediterranean and Southern Russia before re-training as a night-fighter pilot, joining II./NJG2 in 1942. In December he took command of 2./NJG3. At the beginning of 1943 he was Staffelkapitän of 3./NJG3, and then 8./NGJ3,which he lead until April 1944. when he took command of III./NJG5. In October he was promoted Kommandeur II./NJG100. Paul Zorner was credited with 59 victories, and awarded the Knights Cross with Oak Leaves.

Günther Bahr KC
Serving first as an instructor, he was posted to 6./SKG 210 (later 6./ZG1) on the Eastern Front until June 1942, when he re-trained to fly night-fighters. Posted first to NJG4 in August 1943, and then I./NJG6, where on the night of 21/22 February 1943 he shot down seven four-engined Russian bombers in one night. Günther Bahr flew over 90 night-fighter missions, and was awarded the Knights Cross in March 1945. He had achieved 37 aerial victories.

Fritz Rumpelhardt KC
From 1942 as an Unteroffizier, Fritz Rumpelhardt was radio operator to Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer with NJG1 and NJG4. He participated in 100 night-fighter victories with Schnaufer, and was the most successful night-fighter radio operator in the Luftwaffe. Fritz Rumpelhardt flew over130 combat missions, was awarded the Knights Cross in July 1944, and was nominated for the Oak Leaves in March 1945.

The frame measures 28 ½ x 35 ¾” and is in great shape overall. The original Certificate of Authenticity is included on the back. Ready for display.

The air war fought throughout World War II in the night skies above Europe raged six long years. RAF Hurricanes sent up to intercept the Luftwaffe’s nightly blitz on British cities had no more equipment than the fighters that fought the Battle of Britain during the day, but as the scale of nightly conflict developed, detection and navigation aids – primitive by today’s standards – were at the cutting edge of World War II aviation technology.

As the air war progressed the intensity of the RAF’s nightly raids grew to epic proportions, and the Luftwaffe night-fighters became a critical last line of defense as their cities were pounded from above. By 1944 the Luftwaffe was operating sophisticated systems coordinating radar, searchlights and flak batteries, enabling effective guidance to increasingly wily aircrews flying equipment-laden aircraft. But the RAF had in turn developed their own detection equipment, and the nightly aerial contests between fighters and bombers were desperate affairs.

Night-fighter pilots were men of special caliber, requiring a blend of all the best piloting and navigational qualities combined with patience, determination, and no small element of cunning. They were hunters in the purest sense, constantly honing their skills, and pitting their wits against a formidable foe. The young aircrews of the Luftwaffe fought a brave but losing battle in defense of their homeland, but their dedication never faltered, and their bravery is legend.

Robert Taylor pays tribute to this courageous and skilled group of flyers with his painting Duel in the Dark. It is August 1944. As Lancaster heavy bombers of 106 Squadron approach the target, Major Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer, Kommandeur of IV./ NJG1 and the Luftwaffe’s top-scoring night- fighter pilot, makes a daring attack passing feet below the mighty four-engine aircraft. Flying his Me110 night-fighter among the flak and searchlights he has scored hits on the bombers outer starboard engine. While his gunner fiercely returns fire from the bomber’s front turret gunner, the night-fighter Ace will slip into the shadows before selecting another quarry. His night’s work is not yet done.