Luftwaffe - Air Force aircraft
The decision of the German Air Ministry to concentrate on mass production of a few selected types led to the development of versatile aircraft capable of performing several duties. Therefore, certain types of aircraft fall into more than one category; i. e., the Junkers 88 is both a twin-engine fighter and bomber. The German Air Force relied chiefly on the Focke-Wulf 190, Messerschmitt 109, and Junkers 88 to perform the major part of all fighter, day and night bomber, and reconnaissance missions. During the course of the war, however, improvements became necessary, and many sub-types have been produced.
It was important to prevent these changes from interfering seriously with production schedules, and especially to avoid the substitution of entirely new types. Therefore most of the improvements consisted of modernizations and adaptations of existing types rather than the creation of completely new models. The most favored improvements were the installations of more powerful engines, additional armament, and heavier armor plate. When these modifications did not achieve the desired end, the plane's structure was changed. One of the outstanding weaknesses of early German planes - their lack of defensive armament and protective armor - received increased attention, and in many cases has been adequately remedied.
While German aircraft designs were good, the manufactured aircraft themselves were noticeably inferior to their earlier predecessors toward the end of the war. Workmanship was poor, quality of materials had deteriorated. American air force men operating a number of captured German aircraft in this had the greatest difficulty keeping the planes flyable. The best German engine cannot be run without overhaul over 25 percent of the time-before-overhaul considered normal for an average American engine. In later production jobs, like the Messerschmitt Me-262 jet fighter, there is evidence of bad design as well; the electrical wiring systems in nearly all of the newer German aircraft were a confused maze, were highly vulnerable to damage, and took much longer to repair than do comparable American systems.
Single-engine fighters The German single-engine fighter force was made up of only two plane types - the Messerschmitt 109 and the Focke-Wulf 190. Both types are produced in several versions and series, but the basic design of each has remained unchanged. Improvements have been achieved mainly by installation of more highly powered engines and heavier armament. The principal developments in these fighters have been the introduction of special high-altitude versions and the conversion of the FW 190 into a fighter-bomber.
The Messerschmitt 109 was the standard single-engine fighter at the beginning of the war. By 1945 was one of two standard single-engine fighters and was used primarily for high-altitude defensive duties. The Focke-Wulf 190 was the first single-engine fighter in the Air Force to use an aircooled, radial engine. Of a more recent design than the ME 109, the FW 190 is a larger, cleaner plane. Its armor, armament, and simplified electrically operated controls are essential features that make it an exceptionally good medium-altitude fighter. It also is extensively used as a fighter-bomber with a normal bomb load of 550 pounds.
Twin-engine fighters The Germans started the war with but one operational twin-engine fighter, the Messerschmitt 110. Attempts at introducing improved models (ME 210 and 410) encountered production difficulties, and these aircraft have not proved very successful as twin-engine fighters or been operational in large numbers. However, the German Air Force has adopted two of its long-range bombers as twin-engine fighters, the JU 88 and the DO 217. The fighter version of the JU 88 appeared in 1941, and this type since was used in increasing numbers, constituting a very substantial part of the German twin-engine fighter force by 1945. The DO 217 fighter was used primarily for night fighting, but had not achieved the success of the JU 88. Generally speaking, the night fighter branch of the Air Force constituted its most effective arm throughout the war.
The Junkers 88 was similar in appearance to its bomber prototype, except for the metal-panelled nose, the fighter version of the JU 88 was by 1945 the most formidable German night fighter. It is relatively fast, heavily armed, and well protected. This type is employed for intruder and ground attack operations in addition to night fighting. The Dornier 217 was likewise a modified bomber model. The DO 217 is used as a night-fighter, but has not proved as effective as the JU 88 in this category.
Ground attack aircraft The original JU 87 "Stuka" dive bomber, while remaining in limited use for night ground attack duty, had been largely superseded by faster single-engine fighters, equipped with bomb racks and known as fighter-bombers. The latter aircraft, of which the FW 190 was the best example, have the greater speed and maneuverability required by all ground attack operations without the necessity of strong fighter escort. The ME 262 jet plane also was used for this type of operation.
Multi-engine bombers The long range bomber force has been relegated to a minor role in German Air Force operations. Allied fighter superiority, combined with the necessity of increased German fighter production, largely has restricted bomber activities to mine laying and occasional night bombing. Principal types used are the JU 88, DO 217 and HE 111.
Transport planes Although a pre-war model, the Junkers 52 three-engine, low-wing monoplane was the standard freight and troop carrying transport of the German Air Force. It also is used extensively for carrying and dropping parachute troops and as a glider tug. Other operational transport types include the six-engine Messerschmitt 323 and the four-engine Junkers 290. Converted bombers, such as the HE 111, also are employed frequently for heavy transport duty.
Gliders Gliders are of two types: powered and tow. Both resemble a conventional monoplane, but the tow glider lacks an engine and landing gear. The tow glider generally uses wheels during take-off and then jettisons them, subsequently landing on a skid. Both types of gliders are equipped with landing flaps and dive brakes, as well as navigation and landing lights. The principal types of tow gliders are the DFS 230, GO 242 and ME 321. Principal powered gliders are ME 323 and GO 244.
Army cooperation and reconnaissance aircraft The standard type of Army cooperation plane, typified by the Henschel 126, has proved very vulnerable to modern fighters and antiaircraft fire. This has resulted in the employment of converted fighters, sufficiently. fast, maneuverable, and armed to undertake short-range reconnaissance without fighter protection. Such conversion usually consists of replacing some of the armament with cameras. Recent development of high-speed jet aircraft has furnished the German Air Force with a highly desirable reconnaissance plane.
COMPOSITE OR "PICK-A'BACK" AIRCRAFT The composite or piggy-back innovation, in the experimental stage, consists of a multi-motored plane with a large amount of explosive in the nose, surmounted and controlled by a single-engine aircraft. The latter directs the former in a dive towards the target and then releases it. Thereafter its operation is apparently by remote control. The usual components observed have been the JU 88 and the ME 109, but other similar types could not be adapted for this purpose.
Rocket and Jet Aircraft The perfection and application of jet and rocket propulsion as motive power for aircraft are outstanding German aeronautical developments of the war. To counter this new type aircraft, if it is employed on any appreciable scale, might well necessitate a general revision of defensive and offensive aerial tactics. Required changes or improvements also might extend to include ground defenses against attacks by these aircraft. The Germans did not employ jet or rocket aircraft on a sufficient scale to permit full and accurate assessment of their characteristics and possibilities. Those in use, however, possessed significant advantages over conventional types. In level flight, dives, and rate of climb all known conventional types have been surpassed by aircraft with this type of motive power. The propellerless power unit is capable of operation on the lowest grade fuels, and the absence of many intricate parts, necessary in conventional types, greatly simplifies assembly and repair methods.
Operational types of German jet and rocket aircraft were limited to those powered by single or twin-units. They were employed as defensive fighters, as ground-attack or low-altitude bombers, and for reconnaissance. For the latter purpose they proved to be very effective because of their speed. The only rocket-propelled aircraft operational by the German Air Force was the Messerschmitt 163 (ME 163). It is a very fast, single-seat fighter. Although it has only a single power unit, it has a remarkable rate of climb. Because of its limited endurance, it saw comparatively little use, particularly in forward areas.
The Messerschmitt 262 (ME 262), a twin-unit, jet-propelled aircraft, proved to be the most successful of the German jet or rocket types developed during the war. Employed as a fighter, as a ground-attack or low-level bomber, and for reconnaissance duties, it was the most versatile of the jet or rocket aircraft yet introduced by the Germans. Other German twin-unit jet aircraft, either operational on a limited scale or expected to become operational in early 1945, were the Arado 234 (AR 234) and Heinkel 280 (HE 280). Both of these aircraft were somewhat similar to the Messerschmitt 262 in appearance.
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