"Tough Day"
James Dietz's grouping of planes, people and vehicles in "Tough
Day" represents a bleak gathering of Jagdgeschwader 2's most
colorful Focke-Wulf FW-190As. JG 2 "Richthofen" was one of the
rare Luftwaffe units that campaigned in France from the first day of
the 1940 Blitzkrieg to the end of the German occupation. While a
Gruppe or Staffel might be sent elsewhere temporarily, JG2 was the
stalwart fighter organization in the West. As such, JG2 was witness
to the changes in Allied airpower. By the autumn of 1943 there was
no question that Allied airpower was rising to unimaginable heights.
The "Richthofen" pilots had battled the RAF in 1941, during the
"Rhubarb" and "Circus" campaigns. In the Spring of 1942 the unit
began a major conversion to the new FW-190, which provided a brief
qualitative superiority in equipment. JG2 scored a huge tally of
British aircraft during the Dieppe raid, but the RAF countered with
more planes and new tactics in its fighter sweeps against the
Luftwaffe. The very first missions of the American 8th Air Force were
also flown in 1942. The wind was definitely blowing the wrong way
for JG 2.
New and better RAF fighters appeared in 1943, and the 8th Air
Force's heavily armed P-47s and P-38s began ranging all over
northern France. JG2 also faced the American heavy bombers that
were targeting German air bases, as well as the missions flying
overhead on their way to targets in Germany. The Jagdgeschwader
reported almost two hundred pilots dead or missing in 1943, with a
similar number of wounded. Three years earlier, the conquest of
France and the Battle of Britain together had cost the unit 36 flyers.
The automobile in the print, a BMW 328 is symbolic of a happier time
in German engineering. The car was taken out of production early in
the war as BMW began gearing up for massive manufacturing of the
801 radial engine for the FW-190. It remained a favorite of the top
"experten" of the Luftwaffe throughout the rest of the war.
Illustration by James Dietz - Copyright © 2005.
All rights reserved. No part of the contents of this website may be reproduced
or utilized in any form without the written consent of American Art & Antiques, Inc.
Day" represents a bleak gathering of Jagdgeschwader 2's most
colorful Focke-Wulf FW-190As. JG 2 "Richthofen" was one of the
rare Luftwaffe units that campaigned in France from the first day of
the 1940 Blitzkrieg to the end of the German occupation. While a
Gruppe or Staffel might be sent elsewhere temporarily, JG2 was the
stalwart fighter organization in the West. As such, JG2 was witness
to the changes in Allied airpower. By the autumn of 1943 there was
no question that Allied airpower was rising to unimaginable heights.
The "Richthofen" pilots had battled the RAF in 1941, during the
"Rhubarb" and "Circus" campaigns. In the Spring of 1942 the unit
began a major conversion to the new FW-190, which provided a brief
qualitative superiority in equipment. JG2 scored a huge tally of
British aircraft during the Dieppe raid, but the RAF countered with
more planes and new tactics in its fighter sweeps against the
Luftwaffe. The very first missions of the American 8th Air Force were
also flown in 1942. The wind was definitely blowing the wrong way
for JG 2.
New and better RAF fighters appeared in 1943, and the 8th Air
Force's heavily armed P-47s and P-38s began ranging all over
northern France. JG2 also faced the American heavy bombers that
were targeting German air bases, as well as the missions flying
overhead on their way to targets in Germany. The Jagdgeschwader
reported almost two hundred pilots dead or missing in 1943, with a
similar number of wounded. Three years earlier, the conquest of
France and the Battle of Britain together had cost the unit 36 flyers.
The automobile in the print, a BMW 328 is symbolic of a happier time
in German engineering. The car was taken out of production early in
the war as BMW began gearing up for massive manufacturing of the
801 radial engine for the FW-190. It remained a favorite of the top
"experten" of the Luftwaffe throughout the rest of the war.
Illustration by James Dietz - Copyright © 2005.
All rights reserved. No part of the contents of this website may be reproduced
or utilized in any form without the written consent of American Art & Antiques, Inc.
Here at Ozark Airfield Artworks we offer a large selection art prints. These prints mainly
depict modern and historic aviation along with military, civil and space flight. We also deal
with naval subjects and military armor and infantry works. These prints are from all the top
national and international artists along with some local artists. Many of our prints are
signed by the artist and by famous pilots and veterans. If you are looking for a specific
plane, pilot, artist or subject please contact us.
depict modern and historic aviation along with military, civil and space flight. We also deal
with naval subjects and military armor and infantry works. These prints are from all the top
national and international artists along with some local artists. Many of our prints are
signed by the artist and by famous pilots and veterans. If you are looking for a specific
plane, pilot, artist or subject please contact us.
Copyright © Ozark Airfield Artworks 2005 All Rights Reserved
All sales are subject to availability.
All sales are subject to availability.
All images are copyrighted by the individual artist and may not be reproduced
without their consent.
without their consent.
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