Wie Ein Floh...!
(Like a Flea...)

by
Ronald Wong
On 24 March 1945, the B-17's of the 483rd Bomb Group (Red Tails), 15th Air Force, make the long journey from their bases in Italy all the way to Berlin. While other Groups of the 15th AF encountered a number of Me-262 and Me-163 fighters, the 483rd was to receive the attention of Me-163's only. After a near vertical climb, the 163's begin their dive upon the B-17s of the 483rd. In the background, P-51's of the 332nd Fighter Group (The Tuskeegee Airmen) arrive in time to drive the Komets off before they are able to inflict fatal damage to the B-17's. Although some hits were scored by the 163's, none of the B-17's were lost to this new wonder weapon on this day. Nicknamed "The Mighty Flea" by their Luftwaffe crews, the Me-163 Kormet proved itself to be a formidable foe and one can only imagine the havoc the German rocket and jet fighters have wrought if they had been introduced a year earlier.

Each print co-signed by the Artist and
Rudolph Opitz, Commander JG400

Print Edition Size:    300 S/N
Artist Proofs Edition Size: 35 S/N
Image Size: 24" x 16"

Print Price: 125.00 [Order] [Checkout]
Artist Proofs Price: 140.00 [Order] [Checkout]
Copyright ©2001 Military Art Gallery