Birth Of A Legend by Robert Taylor

BIRTH OF A LEGEND

Each print in the Edition was individually signed by Erich Hartmann and by Günther Rall.
(Print Numbers 1 - 850)

Oberst Erich Hartmann
Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds
352 victories

Generalleutnant Günther Rall
Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords
275 victories

THE KNIGHT'S CROSS EDITION

In addition to Erich Hartmann and Günther Rall, seven highly respected Luftwaffe
Knight's Cross holders who flew on the Eastern Front have signed this exclusive
part edition, between them amassing an extraordinary 1452 victories.
(Print Numbers 1 - 490)

Birth Of A Legend signers:

Oberst Erich Hartmann
Erich Hartmann flew all of his 1425 combat missions with the elite JG-52, starting his career as Edmund Rossman's Wingman in 7./JG-52 during the time that Dieter Hrabak held command. After a relatively slow start, Hartmann's air successes soon started to mount and it became obvious that here was a very special fighter Ace. By March 1943 he was promoted Staffelkapitan of 7./JG-52 and 1./JG-52, and by the war end had destroyed 352 enemy aircraft, more than any other fighter pilot in history. He was awarded the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds, Germany's highest award.

Generalleutnant Günther Rall
Günther Rall was a young pilot with III./JG-52 at the outbreak of war. He quickly demonstrated his natural ability and leadership qualities, scoring his first air victory early in the Battle of Britain, and by July 1940 was leading 8./JG-52. After transfer to the Eastern Front his air victories mounted at an astonishing rate. A crash hospitalized him but within 9 months he was back in the cockpit, and when commanding III./JG-52, gained the Wing's 500th victory. Günther fought throughout the war to become the 3rd highest Ace in history with 275 victories. He was awarded the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords.

Leutnant Hugo Broch
Having joined JG-52 in the east in January 1943, Hugo Broch flew Wingman first to Horst Adameit (166 victories) and later to 'Bazi' Sterr (130 victories), but when given the chance he soon demonstrated his own skills in aerial combat. By November of that year he had accounted for 44 enemy aircraft, and by the end of 1944 he had lifted his personal score to 71 victories. Hugo Broch flew 324 combat missions, and scored 81 victories. He was awarded the coveted Knight's Cross.

Oberst Hermann Buchner
Austrian Hermann Buchner's first combat role was ground attack flying the Me109. After 215 missions he was badly injured when his Me109 exploded at 22,000 ft. Returning to action in 1943 he flew a further 200 missions before again being wounded. Back in action Buchner fought in the Crimea and then in Rumania. After 500 ground attack missions he joined the 'Nowotny' Me262 unit, and was the first jet pilot in history to score a victory. Buchner had 58 aerial victories plus 48 tanks, numerous trucks and anti-aircraft units. He was awarded the Knight's Cross.

Hauptmann Alfred Grislawski
Alfred Grislawski joined Jg-52 in Rumania, quickly becoming an Ace; by the end of 1942 he had over 80 victories. An outstanding fighter pilot his air victories continued to mount until he was wounded in the summer of 1943. His score was 109. After convalescence he joined Hermann Graf's official group JG-Sud/JG-50 and went into action flying the Fw190 against the Eighth Air Force. Promoted Kapitän of 8./JG-1 he was severely wounded. He spent the remainder of the war in hospital. He was awarded the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves.

Leutnant Viktor Petermann
Joining III./JG-52, Viktor Petermann flew in Russia as an Oberfeldwebel and became skilled in low-level attacks, sinking 1 gun boat and 50 troop ferries. On one of these missions, after being hit by ground fire, his left arm was amputated and he was hospitalized for a long period. After his recovery he was sent back into combat in 1945 with II./JG-52, with an artificial arm, and scored another 4 victories! He finished the war with JG-7, and a total of 64 victories. Viktor Petermann was awarded the Knight's Cross.

Hauptmann Ernst-Wilhelm Reinert
Ernst-Wilhelm Reinert first saw combat with 4./JG-77 on the Eastern Front, achieving his first victory on August 8, 1941. By the end of 1942 he had achieved over 100 air victories. He was posted to Tunisia in January 1943 where he became the most successful Luftwaffe Ace in North Africa during that period. After campaigning through Italy and a succession of commands, he was back flying Me109s. On January 2, 1945, he was given the leadership of IV./JG-27. In March he transferred to III./JG-7 flying the Me262. In his 715 missions Reinert scored 174 aerial victories. He was awarded the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves.

Leutnant Edmund 'Paule' Rossmann
One of the most respected Schwarm leaders with 7./JG-52, 'Paule' Rossmann flew in the Battle of Britain before transferring to Russia. Hartmann's first missions were as Wingman to Rossmann, who taught him his basic combat technique of close combat. In July 1943 Rossmann landed behind enemy lines near Orel in a daring attempt to rescue a fellow pilot but was captured by the Russians. He had flown 640 missions, and scored 93 victories. 'Paule' Rossmann was awarded the Knight's Cross.

Major Erich Rudorffer
When Erich Rudorffer achieved his first victory in May 1940, it was the start of a spectacular career. In November 1942 he transferred to North Africa with II./JG-2 and on one occasion shot down 8 enemy aircraft in 32 minutes. Returning to France he led II./JG-2 and IV./JG-54. Moving to the Eastern Front as Kommandeur of II./JG-54, he acquired a fearsome reputation - achieving more multiple kills than any other fighter pilot. On November 6, 1943 he downed 13 Russian aircraft in a mere 17 minutes! By the end of the war he was flying the Me262 and achieved 12 more victories. Erich Rudorffer flew more than 1000 missions, achieved 222 air victories and was shot down 16 times. He was awarded the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords.