Figure 1.--.
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Figure 1.--. |
The Germans developed an effective combat jet, but mismanagement by Hitler meant that it had little impact on the War. Jet propulsion was one of the many weapons systems that the German s were working on. The first successful jet plane was built by Heinkel and flew in August 1939, a few days before the German invasion of Poland. The Germans were so sucessful in 1939-40 that military production was scaled back, especially futuristic weapons that could no immediately help the War effort. In part this reflected Hitler's fear that shortages on the home-front would affect morale and public support for the War effort. Only after the invasion of the Soviet Union and the first major reverses were ome of the new weapn's system given priority. One of the most successful was the ME-262 jet. Both the British and Americans were working on jet planes, but the Germans were several years ahead. The world's first combat jet, the ME-262, was introduced in 1944. There were 1,400 ME-262s built. The Allied bombing did not prevent the the construction of the ME-262, but according to one Messerschmitt enginner, "The bombing slowed us down." If Hitler hadn't delayed development, it could have been available to twart the Normandy Invasion. If it had been used in a coordinated fashion as a fighter, it could have ravaged the Allied bombing campaign. Clearly defending German civilians was not high on Hitler's priorities. Hitler's interference, however, prevented it from being effectively used. Hitler wanted it used as a fast bomber. [Pest, p. 670.] He wanted revenge which meant a bomber. Large numbers of ME-262s were used a tactical bombers rather than fighters. This not only diluted the impact on the Allied air campaign, but it gave the Allies time to develop tactics to use against them. The ME-262 was more sluggish on turns and vulnerable on tackeoffs and landings. American fighters targetted airfiekds where thge ME-262s were based. In addition the air campaign was drastically reducing the supply of aviation fuel. This restricted both operations and pilot training.
The first successful jet plane was built by Heinkel and flew in August 1939, a few days before the German invasion of Poland launching World War II. Hitler's focus at the time was on the invasion of Poland and gave little attention to the new jet or other secret weapons that might take several years to develop. The Germans were subsequently so sucessful in 1939-40 that military production was scaled back, especially futuristic weapons that could not immediately help the War effort. In part this reflected Hitler's fear that shortages on the home-front would sap morale and public support for the War effort.
Only after the invasion of the Soviet Union and the first major reverses were ome of the new weapn's system given priority. One of these was jet propulsion.
One of the most successful German secret weapons was the ME-262 jet. Both the British and Americans were working on jet planes, but the Germans were several years ahead. The Germans were ready to produce the ME-262 (November 1943). The world's first combat jet, the ME-262, was introduced in 1944. There were 1,400 ME-262s built. The Allied bombing did not prevent the the construction of the ME-262, but according to one Messerschmitt enginner, "The bombing slowed us down." If Hitler hadn't delayed development, it could have been available to twart the Normandy Invasion. If it had been used in a coordinated fashion as a fighter, it could have ravaged the Allied bombing campaign. Clearly defending German civilians was not high on Hitler's priorities. Hitler's interference, however, prevented it from being effectively used. Hitler wanted it used as a fast bomber. [Fest, p. 670.] He wanted revenge which meant a bomber. Large numbers of ME-262s were used a tactical bombers rather than fighters. This not only diluted the impact on the Allied air campaign, but it gave the Allies time to develop tactics to use against them. The ME-262 was more sluggish on turns and vulnerable on tackeoffs and landings. American fighters targetted airfiekds where thge ME-262s were based. In addition the air campaign was drastically reducing the supply of aviation fuel. This restricted both operations and pilot training.
The Heinkel-162 was perhaps the most effective jet of the War. It was designed to be built of inexpensive materials to facilitate mass production. The plan was to man it with Hitler Youth boys who were to be trained on gliders. This plane had it been introduced earlier might have had a significant impsact on the War as it could have been deployed in substantial numbers and required less maintenance than the formidable ME-262. Fortunately for the Allies, the strategic bombing campaign hellped to slow down and limit production. The idea of using poorly trained Hitler Youth boys was impractical. The Luftwaffe did activate a unit with these planes in the last days of the War, but no information survved on actual operations.
The Allies were also working on jet planes. The British had the Gloster Meteor, but it did niot have the range to be used as an escort fighter. The Americans were still struggling with their experimental jet. A scientifiuc commission had informed the Army Air Forces that jet planes were impractical. The American program did not begin unril Hap Arnold on a visit to Britain was shown the then still experimental Gloster Meteor.
Fest, Joachim C. Hitler (Vintage Books: New York, 1974), 844p.
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