German Aircraft

Attacking Nations

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Messerschmitt Bf 109


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


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


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


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.


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.


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


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).

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German Aircraft