Set of original pencil drawings on archival quality custom toned paper with subtle white highlights featuring German tanks in the Ardennes during the Battle of the Bulge, late 1944.

The main drawing shows the mighty King Tigers of the 6th Panzer Division moving as best they can through the hilly woodland of Belgium's Ardennes region - deep snow making passage difficult for the heavy main battle tanks. Eventually the King Tigers had to be left behind and were assigned to provide cover for the lighter armour that could still make progress.

The German counter offensive through the Ardennes, which became known as the 'Battle of the Bulge' was Hitler's last attempt to regain the initiative on the Western Front and became one of the most important battles of the war. Launched on 16th December 1944 the Germans achieved total surprise, but the early successes did not last long, a combination of superior Allied forces and brutal weather soon turned the initiative into a disaster with huge losses in soldiers and equipment. It would be the last serious resistance put up by the German forces, within four months Germany had surrendered and the war in Europe was over.

Accompanying the main piece are three small complimentary drawings centred around the same theme.

German Panther Mark V tank in the Ardennes (image size 8 x 5 inches).

Volkswagen Schwimmwagen with Reconnaissance Team (image size 8 x 5 inches).

The highly controversial Waffen SS tank commander SS-Standartenführer Joachim Peiper (image size 4.75 x 5.5 inches).

The German counter offensive in the Ardennes was undertaken by the four combined-arms battle groups that comprised the 6th Panzer Division. Peiper commanded Kampfgruppe Peiper, the best equipped battle group, which included the 501st Heavy Panzer Battalion equipped with Tiger II tanks.

The drawings are all on top quality, very heavy weight (640 gsm, 300lb) Sanders Waterford Hot Pressed fine art paper stock that has been custom toned with a light sepia hue to perfectly complement the subject matter. They are sold unmounted ready for your own presentation. Shown below in correct relative sizes.