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Messerschmitt Bf 109
Messerschmitt Bf 110
Links to Key Word definitions are in green
Junkers JU 87 (Stuka)
Dornier Do 17 Z
Heinkel He 111
Messerschmitt Bf 109 E
The Bf 109 E was the only single-engined fighter used by the
Luftwaffe during The Battle of Britain. It had a maximum speed
of 345 m.p.h. and had two cannon and two machine-guns. It
could also carry a small amount of bombs if necessary. By the
time that this Messerschmitt fighter appeared over Britain, it
had become extremely well known amongst RAF pilots, partly
because the Germans had said that it was invincible.
Sources: Battle of Britain – Richard Townshend Bickers, Battle of Britain – Alfred Price, Battle of Britain – Len Deighton
Image and information provided by the Battle of Britain Historical Society
Learn more about the Bf 109 E
In some respects, the Bf 109 E pilots became over confident
because they started to believe that they actually may be
invincible. Until the Battle of Britain they had beaten off other
enemies – like those in Poland and France - with relative ease.
The Luftwaffe pilots soon changed their minds when they met
Hurricanes and Spitfires in force over Britain.
By 1939 the Lufftwaffe had 850 Bf 109 Es and by August 1940,
23 different Gruppen (Fighter Groups) were operating along the
Channel front.
By the end of 1945 the Bf 109 E had
become
the most widely produced combat
aircraft of
the war.Images and information provided by the Battle of Britain Historical Society
Junkers Ju87 “Stuka"
No warplane spread greater fear in the opening months of
World War Two than the Junkers Ju 87 two-seat dive bomber.
Indeed it had shown time and again in Poland and France that
it was an outstandingly effective precision bomber and ground
strafer.
Sources: Battle of Britain – Richard Townshend Bickers, Battle of Britain – Len Deighton
Image and information provided by the Battle of Britain Historical Society
Key Word - StrafeKey Word - Precision Learn more about the Ju 87
The Ju 87 (Stuka) emitted a high pitched wail as it hurtled
vertically earthwards. This had a devastating psychological
effect on the people that it was attacking. The shape of the
aircraft alone, with its swept back wings was enough to spread
panic on the ground below.
The Stuka seemed perfect as a tool to support advancing
German ground forces, yet it was a relatively slow aeroplane
with a maximum speed of only 232 m.p.h. It also had a short
range and could only carry a small bombload. When confronted
with strong ground defences or quicker and more
manoeuvrable aircraft, such as during the Battle of Britain, it
proved vulnerable and rather inadequate.
The Ju 87 was, after the first few weeks of the Battle of Britain,
kept in reserve against ‘lighter’ opposition.Key Word - EmittedKey Word - psychological
Images and information provided by the Battle of Britain Historical Society
Messerschmitt Bf 110
During the Battle of Britain, the Messerschmitt Bf 110 had an awe-
inspiring reputation. It was referred to as the ‘destroyer’.
It was a a high-performance, twin-engined, multi-seat aircraft. Its job
was to clear a path through the enemy’s fighters so that bombers
could follow behind it. It also provided close escort for bomber
formations and could act on its own, attacking targets as it found
them.
Sources: Battle of Britain – Richard Townshend Bickers, Battle of Britain – Len Deighton
Image and information provided by the Battle of Britain Historical Society
Learn more about the Bf 110
Hermann Goering (Reichsmarschall in charge of the
German Air Force) saw Bf 110’s as the elite of the
Luftwaffe. Yet, no aircraft designer had by 1940
come up with a way of helping such a heavy fighter
to compete with a short range, single-seater fighter –
such as the Hurricane or Spitfire. Reichsmarschall Hermann Goering
Bf 110’s were first seen over Britain on 20th July, 1940. Two hundred
110’s tried to tempt RAF fighters into combat. The German bomber
squadrons following at a suitable distance would then arrive when the
defending fighters had exhausted their fuel and were powerless to
stop them. It was thought that the RAF fighters, while rearming and
refuelling at their bases, would be ideal targets for the bombers and
the Bf 110s escorting them.
Images and information provided by the Battle of Britain Historical Society
Key Word - Elite Key Word - Exhausted
The acceleration of the Bf 110 was not good enough to allow pilots
to avoid combat when attacked by enemy fighters. Therefore, as
soon as the R.A.F. had worked out how best to attack the Bf 110’s
(from the rear), many 110’s began to be destroyed. During August
1940 the Luftwaffe lost a total of 120 Bf 110s.
Despite a reduction in missions and changes in tactics, a further
83 aircraft were lost by the end of September 1940. Throughout
the final weeks of the Battle of Britain the Bf 110’s were switched
to fighter-bomber and reconnaissance tasks.
Goering's ‘elite’ planes had not performed as
well as he had hoped.
Images and information provided by the Battle of Britain Historical Society
Key Word - Reconnaissance
Sources: Battle of Britain – Len Deighton
Dornier Do 17 Z
The Dornier Do 17 Z was known as the ‘Flying Pencil’ probably
because of its shape, but also because it was originally
designed to be an air mail carrier.
The Do 17 Z had a wingspan of 59 feet and was 52 foot long. It
could have up to eight machine-guns attached and could carry
2,200 lbs (pounds in weight) of bombs. It could also fly for 745
miles without refuelling.Image provided by the Battle of Britain Historical Society
Learn more about the Do 17 Z
About one quarter of the bombers used during the Battle of
Britain were Dornier Do 17s. The number of bombs carried
compared with other German bombers was relatively small and
it could only travel at a maximum speed of 245 m.p.h. It was
therefore vulnerable to attacks from Spitfires and Hurricanes.
Many Luftwaffe pilots liked the Do 17 for all of its faults as it
was seen as being reliable and could often withstand a number
of attacks from British fighters despite the fact that it had no
armour plating.Key Word - Relatively Key Word - Vulnerable
Heinkel He 111
The Heinkel was a twin-engined bomber that had a crew of four.
Crew members often had more than one job. The navigator not only
helped the pilot plot a course by telling him which way to turn and
when, but he was also responsible for aiming the bombs and firing
the forward facing guns. The radio operator was also the rear gunner
and the flight engineer the ventral gunner (firing the guns
underneath the plane).
Sources: Battle of Britain – Richard Townshend Bickers, Battle of Britain – Alfred Price, Battle of Britain – Len Deighton
Image and information provided by the Battle of Britain Historical Society
Learn more about the He 111
Images provided by the Battle of Britain Historical Society
The HE 111 carried roughly double the Dornier Do 17 Zs
bombload, but was still relatively slow and found it hard to
accelerate away from attacking fighters. It did however have
heavy protective armour and three free-mounted machine-guns.
The HE 111 suffered heavy losses when carrying out daylight raids
during the Battle of Britain and was, from September 1940, used
as a night time bomber only.
From 1941 onwards the HE 111 was
mainly used in an anti-shipping and
transport role.
Back to Bf 109 Es Bf 110s Ju 87 Dornier 17 Z
Exhausted – To be tired or worn out. When energy has been used up.
Psychological – A persons mental state. Affecting the mind.
Relatively – In relation to something else – compared to something else.
Reconnaissance – Examining an area or possible target. Scouting, usually for a military purpose.
Emitted – To give out - e.g. to emit a sound.
Vulnerable – Exposed to, or open to, attack. Capable of being hurt.
Elite – The best of something. To be the best.
He 111
Precision – To be exact or accurate.
Strafe – To attack something from the air (usually using bullets).