Bluenoser Bounce by Robert Bailey

As the invasion of the European continent approached in the winter/spring of 1944, the missions of the 8th and 9th Air Forces began adjusting tactically and strategically in preparation for Operation Overlord. Often, initial sorties consisted of fighter escorts for Bomber Command to ensure adequate protection was given and that the bomber missions reached assigned targets. These consisted of fighter relays between groups, squadrons and Air Forces.

After completing escort missions, these fighters were then free to attack targets such as marshalling yards, convoys, flak emplacements, trains, or enemy airfields.

Ground attacks were extremely hazardous. While air to air combat relied upon skill and first sighting of the enemy, ground attack relied on a large measure of luck and courage.

Many a successful combat pilot perished or was taken prisoner after being shot down from the intense defensive fire that was thrown up while flying 'on the deck'. Enemy airfields were particularly hazardous as they were often ringed by a multi-array of anti-aircraft flak batteries.

In Robert Bailey's new release, fighters from the 328th Fighter Squadron, 352nd Fighter Group, are seen attacking Herbeville airfield on April 28th, 1944. They have just finished an escort mission with B-17's from the 91st and 381st Bomb Groups, which attacked a German airfield at Avord, France.

Sheet size: 23 1/2 high x 34" wide.

April 28th, 1944. P-51 Mustangs off the 352nd Fighter Group, one of the highest scoring fighter groups in the European Theater of Operations, attack a Luftwaffe base at Herbeville, France. Featuring Captain Bob 'Punchy' Powell in 'The West by Gawd Virginian'.

Bluenoser Bounce by Robert Bailey
250 Group Edition w/NINE co-signatures.	US $235

30 Artist's Proofs w/NINE co-signatures.	US $295

30 Remarqued Edition w/NINE co-signatures.	US $430

All prints were signed with the artist in Florida.

Lt. Robert H. Powell Junior, flying THE WEST 'BY GAWD' VIRGINIAN, has overflown the hangar at the north end of the aerodrome, having destroyed a Ju-88 in the process. Attempting to exit his strafing run, he was hit by an explosive 20mm shell in his tail section, causing him to prepare for an immediate bale-out.

Calm thinking and excellent reflexes enabled him to regain control of his crippled Mustang and nurse it back to Bodney, England. His wingman was not so lucky. Lt. Jamie Laing was also struck by anti-aircraft fire from the opposite direction, taking hits in the radiator and sealing the fate of his plane. Lt. Laing parachuted a few miles away and became a P.O.W. He spent the rest of the war in Stalag Luft 1.

Writer: Mike Coenen

Signing with Robert Bailey in Florida:

Ground Crew:
Staff Sergeant Ken Bailey joined the service at Camp Attenbury, Indiana. The man who handled his induction paperwork was his High School Ag. teacher. Boot camp was in Florida. In January, 1943, he was posted to the 352nd Fighter Group. Because he said that he could read a thermometer, he was immediately assigned as the 352nd weather person! At Bodney, he spotted winds aloft with weather balloons, amongst various other duties. He later was transferred to the 21st Weather Squadron Strategic Air Forces, Europe.

Ground Crew:
Staff Sergeant James O. Bleidner was born in New York City and grew up in Islip, Long Island, N.Y. He was called into the Army Air Force in September, 1942, and served with the 352nd Fighter Group, 487th Squadron, as an armorer. He served in England and Belgium. For most of the time, he was the armorer for Colonel J.G. Meyer, who was at various times Squadron Commander and Group Commander.

Major Donald S. Bryan is from Hollister, California, the seventh of seven sons. In March, 1943, he was with the 328th Fighter Squadron, 352nd at Mitchell Field, N.Y., and in July, 1943, was with them at Bodney, England. He flew P-47's and P-51 Mustangs, and completed two combat tours. He was credited with thirteen (plus) aircraft destroyed including an Arado 234 jet. Decorations include D.S.C., D.F.C. with two Oak Leaf Clusters, as well as the Air Medal with fourteen Oak Leaf Clusters.

Ground Crew:
Staff Sergeant Earl Lange joined the service in July, 1942 and attended armament school at Denver, Colorado. While at Bodney, England, he was sent to ground gunnery school on a British base at Land's End. He was too color blind to be arial gunner, and therefore instructed instead. He was called back to the 486th Fighter Squadron, 352nd Fighter Group before D-Day. He was then in France at Camp Lucky Strike. While sleeping in a tent in Chievres, Belgium, his carbine was stolen and he had to pay $15 restitution before he was allowed to leave the service!

Major General Cuthbert A. (Bill) Pattillo was born in Atlanta, Geirgia, and flew Mustangs with the 352nd Fighter Group on 35 combat missions. He shot down a Messerschmitt 262 jet in a dog fight and six other enemy aircraft on the ground. Whilst with the 352nd F.G. he was awarded the D.F.C. and Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters. After the war he flew jet aircraft with the U.S.A.F. and together with his twin brother, Charles C. Pattillo, was instrumental in organizing and forming the "Thunderbirds".

Lieutenant Robert H. "Punchy" Powell was born in Wilcoe, West Virginia. His first combat was in P-47's with the 328th Squadron of the 352nd F.G. at Bodney, England. In early 1944, the squadron switched to Mustangs. He has 83 combat missions and an unofficial score of 6-2-7 enemy aircraft destoyed in the air and on the ground. He piloted "The West By Gawd Virginian". His awards include D.F.C. with two O.L.C.'s, Air Medal with three O.L.C.'s, the D.U.C. and four Battle Stars.

Lieutenant Charles M. Price was born in East Orange, New Jersey. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps as an Aviation Cadet in August, 1942, and trained on P-40's. He was assigned to the 352nd Fighter Group, 486th Fighter Squadron at Bodney, England. His first mission was in a P-51 Mustang. He completed 27 operational missions destroying three German aircraft on the ground. He remained in the Air Force after the war's end, and flew P-47's until May, 1951.

Major General Luther H. Richmond was born in Chicopee, Mass. In March, 1943, he took command of the 486th F.S. at Farmingdale, Long Island, New York, and that July went with them to England. On his 67th combat mission he was shot down by ground fire and captured. After the war he rose to the highest levels in the U.S.A.F. Awards include the Legion of Merit with O.L.C. (twice), D.F.C. with O.L.C.'s and Purple Heart. He flew P-40's, P-47's, P-51's and F-94C.

Lieutenant James N. White enlisted on his 18th birthday and was in Bodney two years later. He flew twenty missions, mostly as escort to B-17's and B-24's over Germany. He also flew strafing missions that saw upward of seventy enemy aircraft on fire. His P-51 suffered a direct hit from small arms fire while strafing, and the bullet missed his neck by a fraction of an inch. During another mission, he was shot down at 500 feet and bailed out over France. On March 17th, 1945, he destroyed an ME.109 over Berlin. During April 1945 over Bavaria, he destroyed five enemy aircraft on the ground. Lt. White set a high altitude record for the P-51 Mustang at 43,500 feet. Among his awards was the D.F.C. and two Air Medals. He also was awarded the Presidential Unit's Citation.