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Combat Photo Gallery "The Enemy" |
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Combat Photo Gallery "The Enemy" |
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| A lone FW-190 begins its attack on a formation of Flying Fortresses. Whenever possible the initial attack was made from above and in front of the formation. As often as not, the flight deck was targeted. Following the first pass, most Luftwaffe pilots would split S and dive away to escape the escorting Mustangs and Thunderbolts. |
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This FW-190A4 is fitted with the 240mm Wfr.Gr. 21 anti-aircraft rocket packing a ninety pound warhead. Initially, it was a very successful means for breaking up 8th AF Bomber formations from beyond the range of their defensive guns. The empty tubes were jettisioned after the rocket was fired to improve aircraft speed. |
| This Bf-110G2 of ZG-76 is also equipped with the Wgr.21 rokcet as well as
a ventral cannon tray containing two MG151 20mm cannons. On 16 March 1944, Bf-110's from this unit downed 18 unescorted B-17's before they were overtaken by the fighter escort subsquently losing 26 of their own aircraft. |
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A Bf 110 Zerstorer breaks away following an attack on a formation
of the 91st BG The Bf-109G-6, seen below, was the first large number attempt (albeit provisional) to equip the Luftwaffe with a fighter to attack Allied bomber streams at high altitude. |
| Although the FW-190A8 armed with two MG and four 20mm cannons had the heavier punch, it was the Bf-109G/K that had superior high altitude performance. This I/JG 27 aircraft is also equipped with pod mounted MG151/20mm cannons to increase its firepower |  |
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88 mm
Fliegerabwehrkanonen (FLAK) The excellent 88mm ( 3.46 in ) gun (see photo on the left) proved very effective especially when radar was used to help with aiming. The shells exploding at a preset altitude sending metal splinters flying in all directions. Later groups of up to 40 heavy flak guns fired rectangular patterns of shellbursts known as box barrages that proved very deadly to American and British bombers. |
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The accuracy and effectiveness of FLAK or anti-aircraft artillery fire increased steadily as the war dragged on. By 1942 15,000 88mm ( 3.46 in ) guns formed the bulk of heavy flak defenses for Germany. Large numbers of 37mm ( 1.47 in ) and 20mm ( 0.79 in ) guns filled the skies with shells during every air raid. |
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famous German "88" could fire 22 lb ( 10 kg ) shells up to 35,000 ft ( 10,600 m
) at a rate of 15 - 20 rounds per minute. In 1944 Flak accounted for 3,501 American planes destroyed. During the same time, fighters shot down about 600. An incredible 56 bombers were destroyed or crippled by flak during a B-17 raid on Merseburg in November of 1944. |
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