Der Gabelschwanz Teufel, The Fork-Tailed Devil, Was The Nick-Name Given To The Lockheed Lightning (U.S. Army Air Forces Designation P-38), By The Luftwaffe (German Air Forces). The First P-38 Was Delivered To The Usaaaf In September, 1940, And The Aircraft Subsequently Saw Wide Service In Both The European And Pacific Theatres Of World War II. This Painting Depicts A P-38h-5-Lo In Flight Over The Coast Of German Occupied Belgium In The Spring Of 1944. P-38s Based In Great Britain Were Used, As Part Of Ninth Air Force Tactical Operations In Raids On Europe And As Long Range Fighter Escorts.