No Contest by Ivan Berryman [Postcard]

Artist: Ivan Berryman [browse all Ivan Berryman]               

Whilst attacking a temporary airfield North of Stendal on 22nd April 1945, a group of 198 Sqn Typhoons led by Sqn Ldr N J Durrant were surprised to find themselves confronted by that rarest of fighters, Focke-Wulf's awesome Ta.152, one of them piloted by the great Willi Reschke of Stab / JG301, flying 'Black 13'. In the words of Sqn Ldr Durrant: 'The first wave of Typhoons had broken up the airfield surface with 500lb bombs and started some fires. I spotted some of the enemy trying to get airborne through the smoke and as I made a low pass, another Focke-Wulf passed me from behind at great speed. Thinking this would be an easy 'kill', I fired a short burst, but the enemy was gone. I remember thinking that there must be something wrong with my own machine because I felt like I was standing still. Only later did I learn what we had encountered. Thank God the war ended when it did.'

Postcard size 6 inches x 4 inches (15cm x 10cm)