ART-Poster, Original Art Quality — THE REGENSBURG MISSION — Gil Cohen — Artist-Signed Limited Edition Lithograph 806/850 — Framed

Navigator Harry Crosby records the exact moment of bomb release during B-17s mission to Regensburg in World War Two. Characteristics Artist Gil Cohen (born 1931) Title THE REGENSBURG MISSION / 17 AUGUST 1943 Dimensions Visible print: 73 × 58 cm (W × H). Framed: 90 × 76 cm (W × H). Poster Credits Gil Cohen (artist and original signature) — Spofford House, Spofford, New Hampshire, USA (publisher) — © 1994 Date 1994 (publication). Historical event: 17 August 1943. Printing Methods Offset lithography — confirmed by original publisher's documentation Backing Framed Description THE REGENSBURG MISSION / 17 AUGUST 1943 — GIL COHEN Artist-Signed Limited Edition Offset Lithograph — Number 806/850 — Original Print Documentation — Framed Description The Regensburg Mission / 17 August 1943 is an extraordinary aviation artwork by acclaimed American historical artist Gil Cohen, depicting one of the most intense moments of the United States Eighth Air Force's bombing campaign during the Second World War. The painting takes the viewer inside the nose compartment of a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress of the celebrated 100th Bombardment Group, known as the Bloody Hundredth. Navigator Lieutenant Harry H. Crosby is shown recording the precise moment of bomb release during the historic mission against the Messerschmitt aircraft factories at Regensburg, Germany, on 17 August 1943. Beside him, bombardier James Douglas acknowledges the successful release of the bomb load. Surrounded by navigation instruments, equipment, ammunition belts and the structural framework of the B-17, the two airmen are portrayed in an exceptionally detailed and intimate wartime setting. Unlike traditional aviation paintings depicting aircraft from the outside, Gil Cohen places the viewer directly inside the bomber, capturing the concentration, responsibility and emotional tension experienced by its crew. Historical Context — The Regensburg Mission On 17 August 1943, the United States Eighth Air Force launched an ambitious daylight bombing operation against two major German industrial targets: the Messerschmitt aircraft factories at Regensburg and the ball-bearing industry at Schweinfurt. The operation became known as the Schweinfurt–Regensburg Mission. B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 100th Bombardment Group participated in the attack on Regensburg, facing determined resistance from German fighters and intense anti-aircraft fire. The mission resulted in substantial American aircraft losses, but also inflicted serious damage on the targeted aircraft production facilities. The surviving Regensburg bombers continued to North Africa rather than immediately returning to England, making the operation an important early example of American shuttle bombing. This painting captures the exact moment when the crew carried out its mission over the target. Harry H. Crosby — A First-Hand Historical Connection Harry H. Crosby (1919–2010) served as a navigator with the 100th Bombardment Group during the Second World War. His wartime experiences later became widely known through his memoir A Wing and a Prayer. Of particular historical interest, Crosby personally described the creation of Gil Cohen's painting in correspondence preserved by the 100th Bomb Group Foundation. According to Crosby, the artist studied his wartime experiences, visited Thorpe Abbotts and interviewed him extensively before completing the painting. Crosby specifically recalled that Cohen depicted him writing with his left hand while bombardier Jim Douglas looked towards him after the bombs had been released. This direct testimony provides an exceptional connection between the painting and the actual men who participated in the Regensburg mission. Historical source: 100th Bomb Group Foundation — Harry H. Crosby personnel archive. https://100thbg.com/personnel/?personnel_id=1082 About the Artist — Gil Cohen (born 1931) Gil Cohen is a distinguished American historical and aviation artist, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 28 July 1931. He studied illustration at the Philadelphia Museum School of Art, graduating in 1953. Following his military service in Germany, where he worked with a United States Army intelligence unit, Cohen developed a successful career as a commercial illustrator, educator and historical painter. His artwork has appeared in books, magazines, museums and private collections. He is particularly recognised for his paintings depicting the experiences of American airmen during the Second World War. Rather than concentrating exclusively on aircraft, Cohen often places the human element at the centre of his compositions, portraying the courage, fatigue, concentration and camaraderie of wartime crews. His aviation paintings have received international recognition among collectors of military fine art. Limited Edition and Original Signature This example is individually numbered 806/850, from the original limited edition of 850 artist-signed and consecutively numbered prints. The artwork was published in 1994 by Spofford House, located in Spofford, New Hampshire, United States. The original publisher's Print Documentation confirms that the artwork was reproduced from Gil Cohen's original oil painting using offset lithography. The edition was printed on Quintessence paper, with the aim of faithfully reproducing the colours and appearance of the original painting. According to the publisher, the printing plates were destroyed following completion of the project. Collectors' Interest An exceptional aviation collectible portraying one of the most historically significant missions of the American Eighth Air Force during the Second World War. The artwork is particularly notable for its intimate depiction of the interior of a B-17 Flying Fortress and its direct historical connection to navigator Harry H. Crosby, who personally assisted the artist in recreating the scene. The original artist's signature, documented 1994 edition, limited production of 850 numbered prints and professional framing make this an attractive addition to a collection of B-17 aviation art, 100th Bomb Group memorabilia and American military history. Shipping & Click & Collect Please note that the shipping charge displayed at checkout is not the applicable shipping cost for this framed artwork. The final shipping charge will be calculated individually according to the destination country, packaging requirements and delivery method, including home delivery or pickup-point delivery where available. We recommend free Click & Collect from our showroom at 49 Avenue de Roodebeek, 1030 Brussels, Belgium, by prior appointment. Please contact us before ordering to obtain an accurate shipping quotation. ------- L'élément le plus remarquable de cette fiche est le témoignage direct de Harry Crosby sur la conception de la peinture, publié dans les archives de la 100th Bomb Group Foundation. Il confirme les recherches effectuées par Gil Cohen, les personnes représentées et la scène exacte choisie pour l'œuvre. La Smithsonian Institution décrit également le travail de Gil Cohen et son intérêt particulier pour les expériences humaines des équipages.