"Spearhead of the Attack" James Dietz Limited Edition Print

After graduation from Art Center College of Design in 1969, Jim began a successful career as a commercial illustrator in Los Angeles. The subject matter varied from automobiles to action scenes to romantic book covers. A steady flow of work from New York enabled the Dietz' to move to Seattle in 1978. It was at this time that he took his first concrete steps toward fulfilling his dream to specialize in aviation art, at that time an almost unheard of genre. Since then, aviation art has played an increasingly large part in his career. Jim Dietz's clients include Boeing, Bell Helicopter, Allison, and Flying Tigers, to name just a few.

Jim has also branched out into the fine arts field with his aviation art. A strong following has developed for his originals and a growing number of limited edition prints have introduced Jim's name to print collectors worldwide. Four of Jim's originals were put on display in the Smithsonian's National Air & Space Museum commemorating the 75th Anniversary of Naval Aviation; one of the paintings was presented by the Navy League to then Secretary of the Navy, John Lehman. A regular contributor to the Air Force Art Program, Jim's work has been featured on the cover of AIR FORCE magazine.

Jim Dietz has been honored with several gold medals from the Los Angeles Society of Illustrators and has won Best in Show in three successive years in the EAA Aviation Art Show. In 1988, at the second American Society of Aviation Artists forum, Jim was awarded the "People's Choice Award" for his painting selected by forum attendees. Major showings of Dietz's originals have recently been held at the EAA Museum and the San Diego Air Museum. His work is found in a number of private and corporate collections.

James Dietz Signed & Numbered Limited Edition Print "Spearhead of the Attack"

It was less than three days after the beach landings at Normandy on D-Day, June 6, 1944, that allied commanders issued orders for the second phase of beachhead operations to begin. Though German resistance was weakening, any further delay in increasing the lodgement to its desired depth could allow enemy reinforcements to retake the assaulted positions. Allied commanders considered a German counterattack to be highly likely.

During the evening of June 8, V Corps issued orders directing an attack, designed to continue the forward movements that were already underway. The 1st Infantry Division’s objectives – and those of the 18th Infantry Regiment – were to be found along the high ground west of the Drome River and on the right flank of the Corps’ assault. This area, known as the Cerisy Forest, was thought to be an assembly area for numerous enemy forces.

On June 9, the 18th Infantry Regiment advanced along a front, 4,000 yards wide, on the Bayeux-St. Lo Highway, with Vaubadon and la Commune as objectives. The enemy offered stubborn resistance from several strong point positions, but they were eventually overwhelmed by the courageous determination of the men of the 18th Infantry Regiment.

The scene depicted in this incredible print, SPEARHEAD OF THE ATTACK, portrays one squad of infantrymen under the leadership of SSG Walter Ehlers during the assault of June 9-10, 1944. Near Goville, France, SSG Ehlers courageously led his men to knock out several machine gun and mortar positions, often exposing himself to enemy fire, thereby eliminating stubborn German strong points and pushing forward the advance of the 18th Infantry Regiment. For his actions during this assault, SSG Ehlers would be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his "intrepid leadership, indomitable courage, and fearless aggressiveness."

Immediately following the assault, on June 11, the men of the 1st Infantry Division and V Corps concentrated on consolidating the hard-fought gains during their rapid advance the previous two days. For allied forces, the successful push forward would continue, with the men of the 18th Infantry Regiment forming the SPEARHEAD OF THE ATTACK.

This work was commissioned by the Soldiers of Task Force 1-18, Baghdad and Ta’Meem, Iraq 2006-2007, and dedicated to our fallen comrades. May the souls of America’s bravest find eternal peace.

This 15” x 25” image size print, 21.5” x 31” overall, limited to 250, is signed by the artist - $175.00

Also available as:

Artist Proof, 15” x 25” image, 21.5” x 31” overall, limited to 100, signed by the artist - $200.00

All Limited Edition prints are signed and numbered (S/N) by the artist. Limited Edition prints are restricted to a certain number. For example, if 400 prints are made from an original painting, once they’re gone, that’s it. There is no limit to the number of open edition prints of a particular painting. That’s why Limited Edition prints are more expensive — and more valuable to collectors — than "open" edition. Rare objects are more valuable.

An Artist’s Proof (AP), generally, is the first 5% - 10% of the Limited Edition prints that come off the press. This status is noted on the print. Collectors prefer APs because their value increases even more than a Limited Edition as time goes by.

All Limited Edition artwork is subject to availability at time of order. Although seller strives to remain currrent as to inventory, seller reserves the right to cancel a sale if item is no longer available at time of purchase.