PIEPER - THE LAST ADVANCE

by Nicholas Trudgian

What became known as 'The Battle of the Bulge' was Hitler's last attempt to win back the initiative in the west by smashing towards the Allied lines by the unlikely and difficult route through the Ardennes. Five armoured spearheads, one of which was commanded by the highly regarded Obersturmbannfuhrer Joachim 'Jochen' Peiper, were to penetrate these steep and wooded valleys under the cover of poor weather which had brought deep snow.

 Although a battle-hardened commander, Peiper soon found the conditions unsuitable for his heavy armour, especially his prestige but very large 'King Tigers' which were forced to hold back and give cover while more maneuverable tanks went on.

After meeting strong opposition from three US Divisions, whose engineers had also quickly destroyed vital bridges ahead of the German advance, Peiper's force soon became scattered. Now fighting a hopeless defensive action and suffering a lack of fuel and ammunition, Peiper was eventually forced to withdraw, on the 23rd December, leaving his King Tigers behind. For Peiper as well as Germany this had been the final advance in the west.

Nicholas Trudgians beautifully painted early morning snow scene is the setting for his portrayal of the early advance of Peipers unit, holding back within the cover of trees, the mighty King Tiger provides covering fire as the Panthers and more maneuverable vehicles rush forward.

THE SIGNATURES

The majority of the signatures on the multisigned prints were signed in the tint border during the 1990's, many of them are extremly rare and unrepeatable.

THE ARDENNES EDITION

Signed by the artist and four Knight's Cross holders and one Iron Cross holder.

With FIVE Signatures

Hans-Ekkehard Bob KC Erwin Kressmann KC Hugo Broch

KC Erich Rudorffer KCOS Wolfgang Müller IC - SS Tank

350   Limited Edition Prints                UK£ 135

10   Remarqued Edition Prints    SOLD OUT

THE KING TIGER EDITIONS

Signed by the artist and thirteen Knight's Cross winners.

With THIRTEEN Signatures

Willi Bachor KC Otto Carius KCO Gerhard Fischer KC Norbert Kujacinski KC Heinz-Günther Guderain KC Erich Rudorffer KCOS Otto Schultz KC Albert Kerscher KCO Kurt Dahlmann

KCO Hans-Ekkehard Bob KC Erwin Kressman KC Wilhelm Weidenbrück KCO Hugo Broch KC 

170   Limited Edition Prints            US$ 520 / UK£ 325

10   Remarqued Edition Prints                 SOLD OUT

THE CANVAS GICLEE EDITIONS

A full sized canvas reproduction of the painting, signed and numbered by the artist and limited to 30 reproductions worldwide.

Rolled Prints          SOLD OUT

Stretched Prints    SOLD OUT

Overall Print Size : 34½" wide x 25½" high

Image Size : 25" wide x 17¼" high

Gi-Clee Stretched Size : 36" wide x 22" high