Bringing The Peacemaker Home | Robert Taylor
On July 20th, the 91st Bomb Group was tasked with striking an airfield near Leipzig, believed to be a base for the Luftwaffe's revolutionary Messerschmitt Me 262 jet. As the formation approached the target, the 401st Squadron assumed the low position, the most vulnerable to enemy fighter attacks. As The Peacemaker steadied for the bomb run, the squadron came under attack by Focke-Wulf 190s. The formation leader was engulfed in flames, wingtip to wingtip, narrowly avoiding a collision with The Peacemaker as it plummeted out of formation. In the chaos, cannon shells tore into The Peacemaker as an FW 190 streaked past within 200 feet, guns blazing. Damaged in the wing and tail, the bucking B-17 began to fall behind, slipping out of the protective cover of the formation—a perilous position so far from home.
Robert Taylor’s dramatic painting captures the moment as the stricken bomber limps toward the safety of the English coast. Miraculously, she’s made it this far, thanks largely to the unwavering escort of P-51B Mustangs from the 361st Fighter Group. To keep the aircraft aloft, the crew jettisoned everything that could be spared. The front hatch was opened, and bombardier Marion Havelaar reluctantly sacrificed his prized 20lb bomb sight, tossing it into the ocean—a wrenching act of necessity. Against all odds, The Peacemaker managed to return to Bassingbourn that day. Tragically, eight other bombers from the mission did not make it back.
Signatures:
Each print in this edition has been hand signed by the Artist along with aircrew personally involved in bringing ‘The Peacemaker’ home, and in fighter escort:
- Colonel Clarence E 'Bud' Anderson
- Lieutenant Colonel James D Fletcher
- Colonel Steve Pisanos
- Lieutenant Colonel Marion H 'Curly' Havelaar
Dimensions: 33 x 24 inches
Release Date: 1997
