“In the Presence of My Enemy” 9-Signature Print

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The story behind the art:

On December 20th, 1943, near the coast of Germany: Luftwaffe ace Franz Stigler had never seen a B-17 this damaged. My God, how are you still flying? he thought. Inside the bomber’s cockpit, the rookie American pilot, Charlie Brown, was thinking the same thing. An air battle had shredded his bomber. Leaning forward to check an engine, a sight made Charlie’s heart skip. There, three feet from his wingtip flew a gray Bf-109. Charlie closed his eyes and opened them but the German was still there. He’s going to destroy us, Charlie concluded. Instead, Franz did something incredible—he nodded to Charlie. In the presence of his enemy, Franz had changed. He had only become a fighter pilot to avenge his brother, a pilot killed early in the war. But there, alongside the defenseless B-17, Franz decided to break the cycle of violence, to spare the bomber and escort it out of Germany. It was a gesture Charlie would never forget. He would search the world for Franz and in 1990 they would reunite, not as former enemies but as brothers separated for 46 years.

This 9-signature Print by artist John D. Shaw features signatures from the 379th Bomb Group, the same group as "A Higher Call" hero Lt. Charlie Brown, are signers Mel Dunn (B-17 navigator), Bob Egnew (B-17 ball turret gunner), and Hugh McGinty (B-17 tail gunner). From their fellow 8th Air Force bomb groups are Newt Moy (B-17 pilot), Don Carlson (B-24 pilot), George Meshko (B-17 waist gunner), and Mitch Mischler (B-17 waist gunner). Representing the Luftwaffe pilots who fought honorably are Jorg Czypionka (Bf 109/Me 262 pilot) and Kurt Schulze (Bf 109 pilot). Includes a Certificate of Authenticity. Print measures 32”w x 22.5”h.

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Ordering Instructions
1. please specify framed or unframed
2. please specify frame type, color and with or without matting

The story behind the art:

On December 20th, 1943, near the coast of Germany: Luftwaffe ace Franz Stigler had never seen a B-17 this damaged. My God, how are you still flying? he thought. Inside the bomber’s cockpit, the rookie American pilot, Charlie Brown, was thinking the same thing. An air battle had shredded his bomber. Leaning forward to check an engine, a sight made Charlie’s heart skip. There, three feet from his wingtip flew a gray Bf-109. Charlie closed his eyes and opened them but the German was still there. He’s going to destroy us, Charlie concluded. Instead, Franz did something incredible—he nodded to Charlie. In the presence of his enemy, Franz had changed. He had only become a fighter pilot to avenge his brother, a pilot killed early in the war. But there, alongside the defenseless B-17, Franz decided to break the cycle of violence, to spare the bomber and escort it out of Germany. It was a gesture Charlie would never forget. He would search the world for Franz and in 1990 they would reunite, not as former enemies but as brothers separated for 46 years.

This 9-signature Print by artist John D. Shaw features signatures from the 379th Bomb Group, the same group as "A Higher Call" hero Lt. Charlie Brown, are signers Mel Dunn (B-17 navigator), Bob Egnew (B-17 ball turret gunner), and Hugh McGinty (B-17 tail gunner). From their fellow 8th Air Force bomb groups are Newt Moy (B-17 pilot), Don Carlson (B-24 pilot), George Meshko (B-17 waist gunner), and Mitch Mischler (B-17 waist gunner). Representing the Luftwaffe pilots who fought honorably are Jorg Czypionka (Bf 109/Me 262 pilot) and Kurt Schulze (Bf 109 pilot). Includes a Certificate of Authenticity. Print measures 32”w x 22.5”h.

Show Frame Colors

More Information on our Custom Framing

Ordering Instructions
1. please specify framed or unframed
2. please specify frame type, color and with or without matting