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Günther Wegmann
This list of German World War II jet aces has a sortable table of notable German jet ace pilots during World War II. Background A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft during aerial combat (The Germans traditionally set the threshold at 10 victories.). During World War II, hundreds of German Luftwaffe fighter pilots achieved this feat flying contemporary piston engine fighter aircraft. However, only 28 pilots are credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft while flying a jet-powered aircraft. Jet aircraft first engaged in air combat on 26 July 1944, when ''Leutnant'' Alfred Schreiber, flying Messerschmitt Me 262 A-1a ''W.Nr. 130 017'' (German language: ''Werknummer'' – factory serial number), attacked an unarmed photo-reconnaissance De Havilland Mosquito PR Mk XVI, of No. 540 Squadron RAF, over the Alps. Some sources refer to this as the first victory in air combat by a pilot of a jet fighter, a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Messerschmitt Me 262A At The National Museum Of The USAF
Messerschmitt AG () was a German Aktiengesellschaft, share-ownership limited, Aerospace manufacturer, aircraft manufacturing corporation named after its chief designer Willy Messerschmitt from 1938 in aviation#July, mid-July 1938 onwards, and known primarily for its World War II fighter aircraft, in particular the Messerschmitt Bf 109, Bf 109 and Messerschmitt Me 262, Me 262. The company survived in the post-war era, undergoing a number of mergers and changing its name from Messerschmitt to Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm before being bought by Deutsche Aerospace (DASA, now part of Airbus) in 1989. History Background In February 1916, the south German engineering company MAN SE, MAN AG and several banks purchased the unprofitable aircraft builder Otto-Flugzeugwerke, starting a new company, ''Bayerische Flugzeugwerke AG'' (abbreviated ''B.F.W.''). The articles of association were drawn up on 19 and 20 February, and completed on 2 March 1916. Details of the company were recorded in t ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
South African Air Force
"Through hardships to the stars" , colours = , colours_label = , march = , mascot = , anniversaries = , equipment = , equipment_label = , battles = * World War I * World War II East African campaign (World War II), East African Campaign North African campaign, North African Campaign Battle of Madagascar, Madagascar Italian campaign (World War II), Italy Balkans campaign (World War II), Balkans * Korean War * South African Border War * Angolan Civil War, Angolan Bush War , decorations = , battle_honours = , battle_honours_label = , flying_hours = , website = , commander1 = President of South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa , commander1_label = Commander-in-chief#South Africa, Comman ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Kommando Nowotny
''Kommando'' Nowotny was a Luftwaffe fighter ''Gruppe'' formed during the last months of World War II for testing and establishing tactics for the Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter, and was created and first commanded by Walter Nowotny, from whom it drew its name. Formation ''Kommando'' Nowotny (Kdo. Nowotny—Commando Nowotny) was formed on 26 September 1944 following the disestablishment of the earlier ''Erprobungskommando 262'' test unit at Lechfeld Airfield, sometimes also referred to as ''Kommondo'' Thierfelder which was named after its former commander ''Hauptmann'' Werner Thierfelder. Operational status was reached on 3 October at Achmer Airfield and Hesepe. The ''Stab'' (headquarters unit) of ''Kommando'' Nowotny was created from the ''Stab'' of III. '' Gruppe'' (3rd group) of ''Zerstörergeschwader'' 26 (ZG 26—26th Destroyer Wing).For an explanation of the meaning of Luftwaffe unit designation see Luftwaffe Organization At first, III. ''Gruppe'' of ZG ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Hauptmann
is a German word usually translated as captain when it is used as an officer's rank in the German, Austrian, and Swiss armies. While in contemporary German means 'main', it also has and originally had the meaning of 'head', i.e. ' literally translates to 'head-man', which is also the etymological root of ''captain'' (from Latin , 'head'). It equates to the rank of captain in the British and US Armies, and is rated OF-2 in NATO. Currently there is no female form, like ''Hauptfrau'' within the military, the correct form of address is "''Frau Hauptmann''". More generally, a Hauptmann can be the head of any hierarchically structured group of people, often as a compound word. For example, a is the captain of a fire brigade, while refers to the leader of a gang of robbers. Official Austrian and German titles incorporating the word include , , , and . In Saxony during the Weimar Republic, the titles of , and were held by senior civil servants. (from Early Modern High German ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
MK108
The MK 108 (German: ''Maschinenkanone''—"machine cannon") was a 30 mm caliber autocannon manufactured in Germany during World War II by Rheinmetall‑Borsig for use in aircraft. The cannon saw widespread use as an anti-bomber weapon during the second half of the war, first seen in 1943 in the Bf 110G-2 bomber destroyers and Bf 109G-6/U4. Four MK 108's formed the main armament of the Me 262 the next year. It could be found on some versions or optional mountings on practically every other German fighter of the era. Development The weapon was developed as a private venture by the company in 1940 and was submitted to the ''Reichsluftfahrtministerium'' (RLM—Reich Aviation Ministry) in response to a 1942 requirement for a heavy aircraft weapon for use against the Allied heavy bombers appearing over German-controlled regions by then. Testing verified that the autocannon was well suited to this role, requiring on average just 4 hits with its 85g RDX-load (in a 330g shell) and a r ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Jagdverband 44
__NOTOC__ ''Jagdverband'' 44 (JV 44) was a German air unit during World War II. It was formed during the last months of World War II to operate the Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter. The commander of JV 44 was General Adolf Galland, the former ''General der Jagdflieger'' (General of Fighter pilots) who had recently been sacked from his staff post by Hermann Göring for criticizing the operational policies, strategic doctrine, and tactics mandated by the Luftwaffe High Command in the " Fighter Pilots' Revolt". Galland was charged with setting up a small Me 262 unit to demonstrate the capabilities of the jet fighter. JV 44 comprised a core of experienced pilots (''Experten'') chosen from Galland's former staff or recruited from units which had been disbanded or were being re-equipped. JV 44 performed well during its brief history, achieving a 4-to-1 kill ratio. However, it had relatively few operational jet planes available for any single sortie and was repeatedly forced to reloc ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Oberstleutnant
() is a senior field officer rank in several German-speaking and Scandinavian countries, equivalent to Lieutenant colonel. It is currently used by both the ground and air forces of Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, and Norway. The Swedish rank is a direct translation, as is the Finnish rank . Austria Austria's armed forces, the ''Bundesheer'', uses the rank Oberstleutnant as its sixth-highest officer rank. Like in Germany and Switzerland, Oberstleutnants are above Majors and below Obersts. The term also finds usage with the Austrian Bundespolizei (federal police force) and Justizwache (prison guards corps). These two organizations are civilian in nature, but their ranks are nonetheless structured in a military fashion. Belgium File:Army-BEL-OF-04.svg, nl-BE, Luitenant-kolonelgerman: Oberstleutnant Denmark The Danish rank of is based around the German term. Ranked OF-4 within NATO and having the paygrade of M401, it is used in the Royal Danish Army and the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
NJG 11
''Nachtjagdgeschwader'' 11 (NJG 11) was a Luftwaffe night fighter-wing of World War II. NJG 11 was formed on 20 August 1944 with one ''Gruppe'' (group) consisting of 2 ''Staffeln''. Formation ''1 staffel'' was formed from elements of 6./JG 300 and in January 1945 redesignated 7./NJG 11. ''2 staffel'' and'' 3 staffel'' formed from 1./NJGr 10 and in January 1945 redesignated 1./NJG 11 and 8./NJG 11 respectively. II./NJG 11 was formed in November 1944 from 10./JG 300. III./NJG 11 was formed in January 1945 and in March 1945 redesignated 2. NJG 11. 10. ''Staffel'' was formed on 28 January 1945 at Burg-Magdeburg from ''Sonderkommando Welter'' flying Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighters. NJG 11 was the Luftwaffe's only Nachtjagdgeschwader to exclusively fly single-engine, single-seat fighter aircraft in the Wilde Sau role. (excepting ''10'' ''staffel''). During its existence the gruppen operated independently of each other NJG 11 was reorganized on 30 March 1945. The '' Stab'' was ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Erprobungskommando
An ''Erprobungskommando'' (EKdo) ("Testing-command") was a variety of Luftwaffe special-purpose unit tasked with the testing of new aircraft and weaponry under operational conditions. Similarly-named ''Erprobungs-''prefixed squadron ''(staffel)'' and group ''(gruppe)'' sized units also existed at various times in the Luftwaffe during 1939-1944 to service-test new designs, usually numbered with the RLM aircraft designation system airframe number matching the aircraft they were meant to test, with the three digit number following the "8-xxx" RLM airframe number designating the unit, as with ''Erprobungsstaffel 177'' (contracted to E-Staffel 177), charged with testing the A-0 production prototypes of the Heinkel He 177A heavy bomber. The similarly-prefixed ''Erprobungsgruppe 210'' was meant to have service-tested the Messerschmitt Me 210 twin-engined "destroyer" and light bomber, but that design's early aerodynamic problems caused the unit's transformation and expansion into SKG 210, ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Oberleutnant
() is the highest lieutenant officer rank in the German-speaking armed forces of Germany (Bundeswehr), the Austrian Armed Forces, and the Swiss Armed Forces. Austria Germany In the German Army, it dates from the early 19th century. Translated as "senior lieutenant", the rank is typically bestowed upon commissioned officers after five to six years of active-duty service. is used by both the German Army and the German Air Force. In the NATO military comparison system, a German is the equivalent of a First lieutenant in the Army/Air Forces of Allied nations. ;Other uses The equivalent naval rank is ''Oberleutnant zur See''. In Nazi Germany, within the SS, SA and Waffen-SS, the rank of Obersturmführer was considered the equivalent of an in the German Army. National People's Army In the GDR National People's Army (NPA) the rank was the highest lieutenant rank, until 1990. This was in reference to Soviet military doctrine and in line with other armed forces of ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
