Lonnie Ortega Aviation Art

Print Size: 16" x 20" ~ 225 Limited Edition Print signed by: Hajo Herrmann and the Artist. COA.

Hajo Herrmann was the Originator of the Wilde Sau, or Wild Boar, single-engine night-fighter tactics. Born in Kiel on August 1, 1913, he began his combat career as a bomber pilot with KG4. Oblt. Herrmann met with exceptional success in sinking British shipping and received the Ritterkreuz on October 13, 1940 for his work. Early in 1941, he was posted with KG30 as Staffelkapitan, and by the following year his administrative ability brought him membership in the Luftwaffe Operation Staff. It was here building on his bombing experience, that he developed the Wilde Sau idea. Major Herrmann organized JG300 in mid 1943 to combat the U.S. day-light raids. He then led the 30th and 1st jagd Division. On August 8, he received the Eichenlaub for his activity in the defense of the Reich. In December, 1943, Herrmann was promoted to Luftverteidigung, or Inspector of Aerial Defense, and was awarded the Schwerten on January 23, 1944. Oberst Herrmann was leading the 9th Flieger Division by the end of 1944, and created the Rammkommando Elbe in his attempt to halt the massive U.S. bomber offensive. Despite the fact that his wartime activities were directed against the Western Allies, Oberst Herrmann became a POW of the Russians and spent a decade in Soviet captivity after the war.