Completed 2007 Collection of Roger Watts This painting depicts two Netherlands-based (Deelen) JG 1 Würgers as they roll in on 8th Air Force B-17F Flying Fortresses as the Forts go "feet wet" over the German Bight after an attack on the industrial area of Emden, Germany on 27 September 1943. The featured Fw 190 A-6 is Condor Legion veteran Oblt. Georg Schott in his "Weiss 11". Schott, Staffelkapitän of 1./JG 1 and a 16-victory ace, was downed by return fire from the bombers on this attack and bailed out. He made it into his dinghy, but search and rescue efforts proved futile. Schott's body, still in his dinghy, washed ashore on the island of Sylt three weeks later on 11 October.
Harkening back to their WWI days, the loud "checkerboard" nose markings were worn by I./JG 1 machines during 1943 for quick recognition in the air. The "checks" first appeared in the summer, and lasted into late 1943/very early 1944. In early 1944 JG 1 introduced a new "Flying 1" emblem for the noses of their aircraft, and at that time I. Gruppe reintroduced a cowling marking previously worn by their Stab (Headquarters) flight from April to approximately June 1943 - broad longitudinal black and white stripes.
As observed by one German fighter pilot, "To go over a group of seventy Flying Fortresses makes you see your whole life in front of you . . ." For the young airmen on both sides who fought in the cold air high over Europe this was indeed the Most Dangerous Game.
Completed 2007
Collection of Roger Watts
This painting depicts two Netherlands-based (Deelen) JG 1 Würgers as they roll in on 8th Air Force B-17F Flying Fortresses as the Forts go "feet wet" over the German Bight after an attack on the industrial area of Emden, Germany on 27 September 1943. The featured Fw 190 A-6 is Condor Legion veteran Oblt. Georg Schott in his "Weiss 11". Schott, Staffelkapitän of 1./JG 1 and a 16-victory ace, was downed by return fire from the bombers on this attack and bailed out. He made it into his dinghy, but search and rescue efforts proved futile. Schott's body, still in his dinghy, washed ashore on the island of Sylt three weeks later on 11 October.
Harkening back to their WWI days, the loud "checkerboard" nose markings were worn by I./JG 1 machines during 1943 for quick recognition in the air. The "checks" first appeared in the summer, and lasted into late 1943/very early 1944. In early 1944 JG 1 introduced a new "Flying 1" emblem for the noses of their aircraft, and at that time I. Gruppe reintroduced a cowling marking previously worn by their Stab (Headquarters) flight from April to approximately June 1943 - broad longitudinal black and white stripes.
As observed by one German fighter pilot, "To go over a group of seventy Flying Fortresses makes you see your whole life in front of you . . ." For the young airmen on both sides who fought in the cold air high over Europe this was indeed the Most Dangerous Game.