David K. Stone (American, 1922 - 2001) "Battle of the Bulge - Aviation" Original Oil painting on Masonite. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting originally appeared on the Republic of the Marshall Islands 50c Battle of the Bulge 1944 - Aviation stamp issued December 16, 1994. The German blitzkrieg through the Ardennes was rapid for the first few days, in part because fog and bad weather grounded Allied aircraft. But once the weather cleared, Allied fighters and bombers destroyed German panzers and cut supply lines, while U.S. C-47s and gliders dropped tons of supplies to American troops encircled at Bastogne. Different colored parachutes were used to indicate whether the supplies were ammunition, medical, food, etc. In early January, Hermann Goering responded with Der Grosse Schlag (the Great Blow). Flying at very low levels to avoid radar, German fighters caught the Allies by surprise. The Luftwaffe lost more than 200 planes, however, along with their irreplaceable pilots. The Great Blow slowed the Allies, but did little to change the war's outcome. Image Size: 23.75 x 14.5 in. Overall Size: 27 x 23.75 in. Unframed. (B14880)