Lighthouse Louie

This aviation art print by Heinz Krebs depicts Curtiss P-40L attacking a lighthouse. Among the units to arrive in North Africa fairly early during the U.S. engagement in this World War Two theater was the 325th Fighter Group with their P40-LWarhawks on board the aircraft carrier USS Ranger on the morning of January 19th, 1943. The group was commanded at that time by Gordon H. Austin, then a Lieutenant Colonel and a very popular leader. Before fighting their way up into Germany through Italy and Austria later in the war, the group initially went into combat in North Africa against the Axis powers until the surrender of the German "Afrikakorps" on 13 May 1943. It was during this period in the history of the "Checkertail Clan", as the 325th FG was called, that lighthouses became a target of opportunity for the group´s pilots. There had been reports indicating that these lighthouses were being used by the Germans as observation posts for early warning of approaching Allied forces. At that time, with no radar available, good and early observation of enemy movements was of crucial importance to both sides. Particularly so for the Germans who were constantly trying to replenish supplies for their troops by air, an effort which the Allies naturally tried to stop by all available means. Thus Colonel Austin and his men regularly attacked lighthouses, knocking them out or rendering them useless for further enemy use. Austin himself even named his aircraft "Lighthouse Louie" with supporting nose art on his P-40´s engine cowling. In this aviation art print, artist Heinz Krebs recalls one such typical mission. The P-40´s are coming in from the sea at low level attacking the lighthouse at close range to guarantee its destruction. The action and drama of this scenario is further highlighted by the artist with his sensitivity of motion adding further dynamism to the explosion of the lighthouse with dramatic surf crashing against its base.

Printed on heavy stock acid-free paper and issued with a certificate of authenticity.

Limited Edition

• 950 numbered, individually signed by aj. Gen. Gordon H. Austin and the Artist