For bomber crews, any daylight-bombing mission almost certainly meant combat. If it weren't the attentions of determined Luftwaffe fighter pilots, it would be an aerial carpet of flak that welcomed the bombers en route to the target - and again on the journey home. On most missions the Eighth Air Force aircrews had to contend with both.

Enduring up to ten hours of concentrated flying under cramped conditions, extreme cold, with the constant noise and vibration produced by four powerful engines, made every mission uncomfortable enough without being shot at. But the USAAF aircrews confronted the odds - a one in three chance of completing a 25-mission tour of operations - cheerfully and with gallant resolve.

Playing a major role in the great raids on Germany and other targets in occupied Europe from early in 1944, equipped with the Consolidated B-24 Liberator, the USAAF Second Air Division flew no fewer than 95,048 sorties. Based in Norfolk, England, the crews also attacked targets far distant in Norway, Poland and Rumania, unloading almost 100,000 tons of bombs and claiming over 1000 enemy fighters shot down.

Published in support of the Memorial Trust of the Second Air Division in Norwich, England, Nicolas Trudgian's new limited edition recreates a scene showing B-24's of the 467th Bomb Group under attack by Me262 jet interceptors on February 25, 1945. With the Third Reich heading towards collapse the determined Me262 pilots, based at Schwabisch Hall in southern Germany, are intent on breaking up the formation. A fierce firefight has developed as the jet fighters dive headlong through the formation. In the foreground "Witchcraft" defends herself with all guns blazing as the mighty bombers unflinchingly thunder on towards the target. One of the most famous Liberators in the 2nd Air Division, "Witchcraft" completed 130 missions without a single abort.