This painting, by aviation artist Mark Postlethwaite, based on World War 2 illustrates an actual air battle; Focke Wulf Fw 190D-9 of 14/JG26 flown by Ofw. Werner Zech is intercepted by a P-51 Mustang of the 339th FG flown by Captain Francis R. Gerard, 18th March 1945. Frank Gerard was one of our flying aces, shooting down four enemy aircraft from his Mustang in one battle over Leipzig, Germany. The retired Major General passed away this week and will be buried tomorrow with full military honors.
MM, I always enjoy reading posts like this, it's a great reminder of our history and more importantly, a great remembrance of one of the people who fought to keep us free.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
The Banker
MM,
ReplyDeleteOne of my colleagues in the title biz is a greewat fan of aviation history and has that exact painting in his office. He flies miniature planes ands one of them is his favorite - the Mustang - rated as the best fighter plane of all time.
It's nice to remember some of the courageous people who make up our past and, hopefully, our future.
The history of aviation is an amazing thing, but I think most people are interested in it more for the destruction than actual scientific accomplishments.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the interesting reminder of the accomplishments of "the greatest generation".
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid the "greatest" designation will not measure up for the generations that have followed.
I certainly don't understand the crazy comments by the Bill VIlla guy to you or Mr. O'Hare.
I read both of your blogs regularly, since the Morning Call took a vacation from reporting the news, several years ago.