Petsamo Scramble,

by Robert Bailey

Me¬109's of JG¬5 struggle valiantly to get airborned as Russian aircraft attack their airfield.

Far to the north of Germany in one of the most inhospitable regions on the earth, stands Petsamo, Finland. In February 1944, a very closely knit unit of pilots and ground personnel of the Luftwaffe's JG­5 (also known as Eismeer Jager) manned this remote and isolated airfield 300 miles above the arctic circle and approximately 50 miles from the Russian port of Murmansk. The unit was one of the few defenders of German occupied airspace in this sector. It also often worked to protect General Dietl's mountain troops, who were guarding the German supply convoys on their way to the harbors of Kirkenes, Norway and Petsamo. They also protected other Luftwaffe bases near Petsamo and Kirkenes harbor, necessitating constant air patrols. Such close proximity to her adversary on the eastern front resulted in predictable violent encounters with the Russian Air Force who flew Sturmoviks and a variety of lend-lease aircraft from Britain and the USA, including Hawker Hurricanes and Bell P­39 Airacobras.

In Robert Bailey's painting, PETSAMO SCRAMBLE, Me­109's of JG­5 struggle valiantly to get airborne as Russian aircraft attack their airfield. The ensuing aerial maelstrom will be brief and deadly as yet another confrontation of adversaries is played out in this frigid battlescape.

Companion Print

Each edition* of PETSAMO SCRAMBLE is accompanied by a matching number print of FINAL ASSAULT.

100 Limited Edition Prints:  $175

Overall print size 34" x  21 1/2"