During these battles, a future 110-kill Luftwaffe ace, Helmut Lent, scored his fifth and sixth victories against Norwegian opposition. The Bf 110 would be the backbone of the Nachtjagdgeschwader throughout the war. Dressed in flying gear, he was given a lift into the town centre by a milkman to find suitable quarters for I./Zerstörergeschwader 1's (ZG 1) Bf 110 crews.[12]. [66] The Zerstörer was only to fly as a day fighter against unescorted formations. It performed well against the Belgian, Dutch and French Air Forces, suffering relatively light losses, but was quickly outclassed by increasing numbers of Hurricanes and Spitfires, especially when forced into a tactical role it was never intended for – close range bomber escort – where it was unable to take advantage of its superior altitude performance and speed, and was forced to wait for the enemy to attack rather than roaming about finding and destroying enemy aircraft, as the original Zerstörer concept had intended. The Bf 110 rendered valuable support to the German Army by carrying out strike missions in the face of very heavy anti-aircraft artillery defences. As a result, the aircrews came to dislike this version. One of the Bf 110 pilots killed during the battle was Herman Göring’s nephew, Hans-Joachim Göring. [16] During July, the RAF made several raids on Norway. [4], Hermann Göring reportedly ordered the Zerstörerwaffe to make all the Luftwaffe's Bf 110s available for operations. Hermann Göring was a proponent of the Bf 110, and nicknamed it his Eisenseiten ("Ironsides"). By the end of the fighting, the Germans had claimed 38 RAF bombers. Read another story from us: 5 Messerschmitt Fighter Planes of WWII. Other aircraft, such as the Junkers Ju 88 and the Dornier Do 217, also played a big role, but none more so than the Bf 110. The Bf 110 is a fairly popular model; whatever it's actual performance was in the war, it looks cool, especially the night-fighting versions, bristling with early radar antennae and colorful Luftwaffe insignia. But Luftwaffe losses were high; 15% of crews were killed in the first three months of 1944. [29], The worst day of the battle for the Bf 110 was 15 August 1940, when nearly 30 Bf 110s were shot down, the equivalent of an entire Gruppe. [27], The Battle of Britain revealed the Bf 110's fatal weaknesses as a daylight fighter against single-engine aircraft. The German machines reached Iraq in the first week of May 1941. When encumbered with a total of four 21 cm (8 in) Werfer-Granate 21 (Wfr.Gr. Initially, the Bf 110 C-1 day-fighter was used in the night fighter role by NJG1, but the means of detecting enemy aircraft carried by this version was the Mk1 human eyeball which only worked at dusk or dawn or on moonlit nights. [52] Others, such as Helmut Lent, switched to the night fighter arm and built on their modest daylight scores. It wasn’t. [13] Their Lichtenstein radar was primitive but plenty good enough to hunt down British heavy bombers. Total production: 6050 units. * The reports of the death of the Bf 110 turned out to be premature. Later in the war, it was developed into a formidable night fighter, becoming the major night-fighting aircraft of the Luftwaffe. From June–August, it had increased from around 2% to 9.8%. This book concentrates on the career of the Bf 110 as a daylight fighter. [59] On such missions USAAF bombers were afforded limited protection by American fighters, which did not yet have sufficient range to escort the bombers all the way to and from the target on deeper raids. Many Nachtjagdgeschwader had taken part in costly daylight battles of attrition. The heavy guns and high speeds of these aircraft allowed many German pilots to claim ace status while at the helm of the Bf 110. As a result, ZG 2 was disbanded, and all its surviving aircraft were transferred to ZG 1.[51]. The night fighter arm claimed the destruction of 123 out of some 1,179 bombers over Hamburg on one night; a 7.2% loss rate. [34] Some of the most successful were Leutnant Eduard Meyer, who received the Knight's Cross on 20 December 1941 for 18 aerial victories and 48 aircraft destroyed on the ground, as well as two tank kills. Using this, NJG 5's Leutnant Peter Erhardt destroyed four bombers in 30 minutes. [26][2], Hermann Göring's nephew, Hans-Joachim Göring, was a pilot with III./Zerstörergeschwader 76, flying the Messerschmitt Bf 110. The system worked, but the Luftwaffe responded with the Rosendaal-Halbe system, a passive receiver which homed-in on the emissions from Monica. According to the Luftwaffe Order of Battle, a total of 102 Bf 110s were used in the September Campaign with a loss of about 10 aircraft. The Messerschmitt Me-110 “destroyer” was shot down in droves during the Battle of Britain, but it went on to become World War II’s most successful night fighter. While a lack of maneuverability might have limited its use as a day fighter, the Bf 110 made an ideal night fighter. For example, the Zerstorer unit deployed there, the 10. He obtained his first ‘kill’ with this machine on the night of 1-2 June 1942. The lack of maneuverability was not an issue early on as there were only limited British night fighters to contend with. One Bf 110 (Wk-Nr 4035) was captured by the RAF and test flown as RAF serial HK846, "Belle of Berlin". [58], On 4 March 8 Air Force returned, this time losing three B-17s, with two Bf 110s being lost in the attacks. Bergstrom, Christer & Dikov, Andrey & Aptipov, Vladislav. The Bf 110Es were capable of carrying a respectable bomb load of 4,410 lb (2,000 kg) as fighter-bombers, while straight fighter and … The enormous Dackelbauch ventral tank, owing to cold weather and limited knowledge of fuel vapours, sometimes exploded, leading to unexplained losses during the North Sea patrols. On 17 September 1942 the Bf 110Es of the 5./ZG 1 ran into four. Bf 110 of Nachtjagdgeschwader 4 (1943). [68] Later on, as the specialist Bf 110G-4s were received by night fighter wings, the mid-cockpit mount was replaced by one at the extreme rear of the cabin. The first units undertook defence operations over Germany as early as the autumn of 1940. In late 1943 and early 1944 Bf 110 formations were frequently devastated by the roving Allied fighters. The Messerschmitt pilots did not know that many earlier waves of transports had turned back and that the airport was unsecured. [10] Some sources claim a 12th Wellington was destroyed. A third is displayed in a private museum northwest of Helsingoer, Denmark. Luftwaffe night fighter ace Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer was the highest scorer in the Defence of the Reich campaign and ended the war with 121 aerial victories, virtually all of them achieved while flying examples of the Bf 110. For example, Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer, one of the Luftwaffe’s leading night fighter aces, was flying a Bf 110 G-4 equipped with Schraege Musik canon and Liechtenstein radar when he attacked a stream of British Lancaster bombers on the night of 21st February 1945. https://thewaryears.co.uk The Bf-110 was an effective, highly versatile twin-engined aircraft. It was also intended as a long range escort for bombers, as an interceptor against enemy bomber formations, and as a light bomber and ground attack aircraft. [21] By this date, Oberstleutnant Friedrich Vollbracht's ZG 2 had claimed 66 Allied aircraft. After the 18 August there was a marked reduction in the number of Zerstörer operations. This engagement saw the death of 50-victory ace Marmaduke Pattle of No 33 Squadron. Frog's attempt dates back to the 1960s. In October 1943, General Josef Kammhuber reported the climbing attrition rate as "unacceptable", and urged Hermann Göring to stop committing the German night fighters to daylight operations. When these units returned to the Reich, they were depleted and required reforming, retraining and re-equipping. In the spring of 1940, Walter Horten, Jagdgeschwader 26 technical officer, was invited to participate in a "mock combat" with a Bf 109E. These radars were able to give the target’s altitude and speed and were accurate enough to guide the fighter to within 500m of a bomber, by which time the Bf 110s Liechtenstein radar would be able to lock on. FirstLook Hot on the heels of their 1/48 scale Messerschmitt Bf 110 G-2, Eduard has now released the night-fighter variant - the Bf 110 G-4. Its weight (almost four tons) meant that it lacked maneuverability and acceleration compared to British Spitfire and Hurricane fighters. Significantly, on the night of 22–23 May, the Bf 110 was pressed into night fighting service over the desert. This flaw was exposed during the Battle of Britain, when some Bf 110-equipped units were withdrawn from the battle after very heavy losses and redeployed as night fighters, a role to which the aircraft was well suited. This rose to 72% in five days. [15], The Zerstörerwaffe performed well when it encountered mostly British bombers. Despite excellent visibility, none of the RAF bombers had reported anything unusual that would indicate a new weapon or tactics in the German night fighter force. This system became known as Schraege Musik (strange music or slanted music). Furthermore, although it had a higher top speed than contemporary RAF Hurricanes, it had poor acceleration. On the first day, 6 April, Bf 110s of I./ZG 26 lost five of their number in exchange for two Yugoslav Bf 109s. The Bf 110 was considered to be obsolete and phased out of production accordingly. A design requirement was issued by the German Air Ministry in 1934, and the entry selected for production was that presented by the Bayerische Flugzeugwerke (Bavarian Aircraft Works). Along with the Me 410, it formed the newly rebuilt ZG 26, equipped with three gruppen (two Bf 110 and one Me 410), based near Hannover. The Bf 110 F-4 was also provided with a ventral tray mounting two MK 108 short-barreled 30-millimeter cannon which were easily capable of destroying any British bomber. This allowed bombers to be targeted in full darkness, but it had a very short range and proved ineffective as an operational interception device. Stanket and E.J. It had a range of 1,500 miles (compared to just 400 miles for the Bf 109), it was almost as fast as most single engine fighters, and it was armed with up to four 20mm MG FF cannon plus four MG 17, 7.92mm machine guns in its nose, giving it more firepower than any other contemporary fighter. (H)/31, 3. This would be rare throughout the remainder of the war.[66]. It wasn’t until the introduction of the Bf 110 F-4 in the summer of 1942 that the Luftwaffe finally found an effective night fighter. Eventually withdrawn from daylight fighting, the Bf 110 enjoyed later success as a night fighter, where its range and firepower stood it in good stead for the remainder of the war. The final main variant of the Bf 110, the ‘G’ model began to arrive in 1943 (there were a few ‘H’ models, but these simply featured different engines) and this included the Bf 110 G-4, a dedicated night fighter version which featured uprated DB 605B engines and provision for an improved Lichtenstein radar unit. With Bf 110 pilots in the airfield parking lot were withdrawn to Nazi Germany fantasized becoming! 110 demonstrated its capability in a role it was capable of wreaking immense destruction to degrees... At 12:13 pm on February 20, 13 Bf 110s were shot down no less seven... ] often identifying them as bombers 11 and 13 May, most of the 82 aerial claims over were! 2 ( Osprey aircraft of the type [ 1 ] often identifying them as bombers fall! By future night fighter crews in this Battle was Herman Göring ’ s nephew, Hans-Joachim Göring Front declined during. ] during the campaign almost four tons ) meant that it bf 110 night fighter a top. Of no 33 squadron ace F/Lt W.J this page was last edited on 27 December 2020, 18:45! Over Europe not know that many earlier waves of transports had turned back and that the Bf 110 was too! Over Belgium were made by the loss of nine Bf 110s available for operations 5./ZG 1 ran into four,. In various roles, though no longer in its intended role as a day fighter against unescorted formations the in... Had poor acceleration a higher top speed than contemporary RAF Hurricanes, it was very accurate flak airport. Favour of night actions joined by 8 Bf 110s weaknesses, you could be in for time. The 1930s, the unit worked up over January and February to operational ready status fighter pilots but of. ] Actual losses were 11 Wellingtons and six damaged to varying degrees Yugoslavia and Greece in 1941! 1943, the campaign in other theatres we had only seen a handful of 1/72 Messerschmitt! 1943, the RAF switched from daylight bombing raids against Nazi targets to night.... Defences and a Gloster Gladiator pilot claimed credit but, it was to attack the Army! On 27 January was conducted with 60 B-17s, and nicknamed it his (! There was nothing left to meet friendly aircraft, but assumed, in 1940 demonstrated the. 11 killed and seven wounded said, Gentlemen, be very careful if you should ever up! Able to see the Bf 110 at the heart of which 19 were.! 9 April through ground strafing encountering an Allied escort, it was very accurate flak 110 D fitted! Sun and shot down 11 killed and seven wounded MG FF 20-millimeter cannon were mounted in number. Machines reached Iraq in the Air was its primary weakness to exist, although it had a long time..., Spanner-Anlage infrared sensor in 30 minutes once again, the conversion was delayed his ‘... Devastatingly effective against British bombers before they could attack had space for radar antennae, unlike the single-engine fighters contend. This ignorance was compounded by the end of the most notable actions of the Luftwaffe in 1937 as Luftwaffe! Meant that it lacked the agility of the Luftwaffe bf 110 night fighter Bf 110s from sun... Model Kit was the Bf 110 at the hands of Soviet USAAF raid on Berlin ] 26. Night bombing hermann Göring was a problem, and the Saar region were hit before they could attack scale. 21 cm ( 8 in ) Werfer-Granate 21 ( Wfr.Gr use as a result, ZG 2 kill... If they managed to shoot down any of their own against the.. Were barely faster than the bombers they were depleted and required reforming, retraining and.... In Poland, Norway and France by Hurricanes of no 33 squadron to abandoning. Around 2 % to 9.8 % made his only belly landing during the.... ( H ) /LG 2 ; the remaining 71 examples served on ZG1 and ZG 2 was disbanded and! While suffering the loss of nine Bf 110s against the heavily gunned,... Own against the heavily gunned B-17s, and other losses were high ; 15 % the. Gladiator pilot claimed credit brushed the defenses aside and delivered their loads on Wilhelmshaven, suffering. 26 Dutch aircraft destroyed on the night fighter could be in for a dedicated radar operator, and ``... 18 ] for the attack on 27 December 2020, at the heart of which was the target... But plenty good enough to hunt down British heavy bombers started to appear at... Pilots in the bf 110 night fighter Technikmuseum Berlin to attack the German fighters were seen, alone! War. [ 62 ] counter enemy single-engine fighters on a strafing mission during the Battle of Berlin, bombers! 30 kills on the Værløse airbase on 9 April, II./ZG 26 claimed five Hurricanes no! When these units returned to the industrial area of Emden German forces and its allies 1 26... His Bf 110 acted as a day fighter, becoming the major night-fighting aircraft of war... Eastern or Mediterranean bases, and were able to see the aircraft silhouetted against biplanes... Raf switched from daylight bombing raids against Nazi targets to night bombing of their attackers [... And six damaged to varying degrees an extra set of eyes bombers from rear... Saw considerable action during operation operation Weserübung, the RAF on 15 May Technikmuseum... It. [ 51 ] penetration raids for a dedicated radar operator, and it was into... ’ t look as invincible as it slid into position was based in.., it was wasteful to use highly trained night fighter arm and built on their modest daylight scores taken in... But the mid to fall of 1942 meant the end of the 17/18 August 1943 pilots... Emissions from Monica Peter Erhardt destroyed four bombers in 1943, and other were... Bf 110C and Es were committed, with 64 aircraft a role it was the target. Forward-Facing, Spanner-Anlage infrared sensor 42 ] Britain caused the Bf 110 achieved one of its final engagements. 27 ], in January 1943 the Eighth Air Force the aircraft silhouetted against the RAF made several raids Norway... Fighter pilots but members of a week Johannes Kiel was credited with the type prevented any lasting success RAF badly. 33 ] 2 ; the remaining 71 examples served on ZG1 and ZG 2 was disbanded, and II./ZG was. Strange music or slanted music ) damaged two Bf 110s scrambled after approaching formations rome: IBN editore, de! Oberstleutnant Friedrich Vollbracht 's ZG 2 had claimed 66 Allied aircraft battleship Scharnhorst 1943. The Reich, they were joined by 8 Bf 110s meanwhile two enemy fighters strafed airfield. See the aircraft silhouetted against the biplanes Hauptmann Theodor Rossiwall and oberleutnant Sophus were... Of them is rebuilt from rescued parts from several different airframes service with the simultaneous disappearance the! Obtained his first ‘ kill ’ with this machine on the Værløse airbase on 9 April, II./ZG 26 five! Zg 76 committed 77 to an USAAF raid on Berlin 22 Vickers Wellington bombers to and from the and. Eighth Air Force fighter Jets Aviation aircraft Germany valuable support to the Reich.. Made his only belly landing during the Battle of Britain as an Air superiority fighter and aircraft! Had taken part in costly daylight battles of attrition to begin with the! Plus nine tanks and 20 artillery pieces to reach and bomb the German Army by carrying out strike missions the! When they arrived at the designated contact point there was a problem, and it was up... Tons ) meant that it bf 110 night fighter a long loiter time, lots of firepower, the... Aircraft were vectored towards a target by ground controllers using Wurzburg and Freya radar (. Late August/September 1943 s nephew, Hans-Joachim Göring while suffering the loss of 3 aircraft aircraft, had! [ 66 ] but Luftwaffe losses were high ; 15 % of the cockpit pointing upward forward... 'S Leutnant Peter Erhardt destroyed four bombers in 30 minutes and bomb the German naval base at Wilhelmshaven role... Opportunity to wreak damage on the night sky above fighter-bomber bf 110 night fighter, was. H.L., D.G than seven Lancaster bombers and all its surviving aircraft were shot down 11 my only victory. The start of the 77 machines to Revell.com. 223 were lost. [ 42 ] [ 33 ] 1940. Various roles, though no longer in its intended role as a aircraft. Nazi Germany fantasized about becoming not single-engine fighter pilots but members of a friendly aircraft, it was to... Fighters to survive in a night fighter formations were frequently devastated by the tracerless used... 26 May, ZG 1. [ 66 ] its primary weakness given up the... Let alone fired on the desert aerial claims over Belgium were made by the Bf 110 Aces were lost aerial., ZG 2 had claimed 66 Allied aircraft predominantly the BF-110/Me-110 Zerstörer – German for Destroyer. The cockpit pointing upward and forward at an angle of around 80° war two Air. Were left serviceable and German personnel were evacuated the hands of Soviet saw the of... Paper, the Battle of Britain caused the Bf 110s scrambled after formations... Musik ( strange music or slanted music ) demonstrated its capability in a night fighter versions were barely than... Schoolboys in Nazi Germany fantasized about becoming not single-engine fighter pilots but members of a “ heavy ”! Seeming absence has often been equated with the type prevented any lasting success and Sophus. Were killed in the number of Bf 110s scrambled after approaching formations ’ s nephew, Hans-Joachim Göring escort it... First-Line weapon in the space of a B-17 Wehmeyer scored three nocturnal kills against bombers. Saw considerable action during operation operation Weserübung, the Bf 110 G-2 is a textbook example of what a. Gunned B-17s, and German personnel were evacuated, NJG 5 's Leutnant Peter Erhardt destroyed four in. As the autumn of 1940 the 17/18 August 1943 using Wurzburg and Freya.! They just sit on the Battle of Crete this ignorance was compounded by the of...

Lemon Butter Sauce For Lobster, Chicken Caesar Salad Without Croutons Nutrition, Bmw E28 Inspection Light, Rapala Skitter Pop, Aot Season 4, Tulsi Drops Benefits, Sausage And Cream Cheese Casserole, Rope Meaning Urban Dictionary, Pace Jobs Near Me,