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Me110

Name : Me110 Manufacturer : Messerschmitt Production Began : 1938

The Bf-110 grew out of Herman Gorings specifications for a multipurpose aircraft capable of penetrating deep into enemy airspace to clear the sky of enemy fighters in advance of German bomber formations. The aircraft would also be utilized as a long range interceptor, and as a ground support and ground attack bomber. The Bf-110 prototype first flew in 1936. The prototype was under powered with its Daimier Benz DB 600A engines. Several months passed before a go ahead was given for large scale production which commenced in 1938. Utilizing improved DB 601 engines, the early production 110s were as fast as any single engine fighter at that time, and had superior fire power. Their biggest apparent weakness was in the areas of armor protection for the crew, and in terms of maneuverability when compared to single seat fighters. The 110 was produced in large numbers and in many different variants. The 110D was the long range model. An additional belly tank was fitted to that aircraft, with several later variants having the more traditional drop tanks. The first serious test for the Bf-110 came during the Battle of Britain. About 300 Bf-110s were involved. They became easy prey for Hurricane and Spitfire pilots, and Bf-109s were often required to assist the 110s in their own defense. On August 15, 1940, which became known as Black Tuesday, the Bf-110s were ravaged by the RAF, and for the month over 100 aircraft were lost. On the Eastern Front the Bf-110 performed admirably in the early stages of Operation Barbarossa. With the Soviet Air Force weakened in the first several weeks of the attack, 110s were effectively utilized in a ground attack role. Ultimately, the Luftwaffe re-equipped a significant number of its 110s as night fighters. The aircraft performed well in this role because it was a good gun platform with sufficient speed to overtake the RAF night bombers. Such night missions were typically carried out with no Allied fighter escort, so the 110 night fighters would not have to engage or elude Allied fighters in this role.

Pilots and Aircrew for : Me110
A list of all aircrew from our database who are associated with this aircraft. A profile page is available by clicking their name.
Name	Info
Ambs, Alfred Click the name above to see a profile of Ambs, Alfred    Died : 30 / 3 / 2010	Ambs, Alfred Born in Gladbeck on the 23rd January 1923, Alfred Ambs joined the Luftwaffe on the 10th July 1942. Initiqally attached to a training unit, he flew Ju88s, Me110s, Me109 and Fw190 aircraft. He was in the following units : Flg.Rgt. 53, Luftkriegsschule 3, Flugzeugführerschule C14 in Prague. Flugzeugführerschule B33 (Prague-Rusin), and Zerstörergeschwader 101. As the war situation worsened, Ambs was transferred to train on the new Messerschmitt 262 fighter with JG7 in Lechfeld. Flying with this unit, Ambs shot down 6 Allied aircraft to finish the war an Me 262 jet Ace. He flew his last mission on 23rd March 1945, and had flown a total of nearly 75 missions on the Me262. Sadly, Alfred Ambs passed away on 30th March 2010.
Apel, Hans Click the name above to see a profile of Apel, Hans	Apel, Hans Shot down near Dorsten by Allied Night Fighters opposing the RAF night raid on Essen the night of 12 December, 1944. Remaining Crew: Gefr Klaas Visser (Dutch), Gunner (KIA on his birthday); Uffz Walter Trenck, R/O; Hptm Erich Zenker, also a pilot, acting as gunner. Visser is buried in the local cemetery at Marl-Brassert. Apel and Trenck survived, but were later KIA on 21 February, 1945 during aerial combat SE of Störmede, by an RCAF fighter piloted by F/L D.A. McFayden of No. 406 Sq. (RCAF Claims List).
Apfel, Walter Click the name above to see a profile of Apfel, Walter    Died : 22 / 12 / 1943	Apfel, Walter KIC 22 December, 1943 south of Oldenburg due to engine trouble. His unnamed R/O OK
Arnold, Walter Click the name above to see a profile of Arnold, Walter	Arnold, Walter His G-6 reported lost on 18 August, 1944 during an emergency landing 30km NW of Paris, pilot returned. One known victory, his 1st, a B-17 SE of Marburg on 6 April, 1944. A 2nd, a Typhoon S of Evreux on 17 August, 1944. A 3rd, a B-26 60 km SW of Aachen on 3 October, 1944. A 4th, a P-47 at Mechernich on 17 December, 1944. His 7th, a P-51 in the Küstrin area on 24 March, 1945. His 8th, an Auster on 2 April, 1945
Axthammer, Erich Click the name above to see a profile of Axthammer, Erich	Axthammer, Erich Born 3rd December 1920, he joined the Luftwaffe in November 1938, learning to fly on Me109s and Me110s. He was posted to the eastern front flying the Hs123. In March 1943, he joined SG1, again on the eastern front, flying over 300 missions with the Hs123. He then served with 1./SG152, 5./SG77 and later 8./SG10 from August 1944. After 505 missions he was awarded the Knights Cross on 28th April 1945. He also flew the Fw190. In a final total of 530 missions, 305 of which were on the Hs123, he destroyed many ground targets, including armoured vehicles, supply vehicles and flak guns. After the war he became a miner, but rejoined the Bundesluftwaffe in 1958, as a carrier and helicopter pilot, retiring in 1979.
Baagoe, Sophus Click the name above to see a profile of Baagoe, Sophus    Died : 14 / 5 / 1941	Baagoe, Sophus Sophus Baagoe (4 March 1915 – 14 May 1941) was a German Luftwaffe ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (German: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Baagoe claimed 14 aerial victories, 13 over the Western Front and 1 over the Mediterranean Front. He is one of the two pilots credited with the kill of the RAF top ace Pat Marmaduke Pattle, on 20 April 1941, in Greece, with Theodor Rossiwall Sophus Baagoe was a member of the Luftwaffe at the beginning of the war and participated in the Battle of France, where he claimed his first four victories. As a member of Zerstörergeschwader 26 "Horst Wessel" (ZG 26—26th Destroyer Wing) he exclusively flew the Messerschmitt Bf 110, twin engine heavy fighter. He scored 9 more during the Battle of Britain against the Royal Air Force (RAF), bring his total to 13 and his final victory was during the Battle of Greece. He and his aerial gunner, Oberfeldwebel Becker, were killed 14 May 1941 during the Battle of Crete. There is some dispute over how he died; he was either killed by anti-aircraft fire from the ground or by RAF pilots. He may have been shot down by the New Zealand Gladiator pilot D.F. Westenra of No. 112 Squadron RAF. Baagoe was posthumously awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) on 14 June 1941
BANSER, Wilhelm Click the name above to see a profile of BANSER, Wilhelm    Died : 10 / 3 / 1941	BANSER, Wilhelm Unteroffizier, 1/NJG 3, Crewman of a Messerschmitt Bf.110 night fighter shot down and died 10th March 1941
Barte, Walter Click the name above to see a profile of Barte, Walter	Barte, Walter A former Flak Officer, he came to II/NJG-1 in November 1940. He scored 23 victories between September 1941 to 20-21 March, 1945 flew with II/NJG-1 (11/40), Stfkpt 4/NJG-1 (3/41), Kdr III/NJG-3 (10/43) flew Bf 110 D with FuG 202, G9+FM, 4./NJG 1
Becker, Ludwig Click the name above to see a profile of Becker, Ludwig    Died : 26 / 2 / 1943	Becker, Ludwig Ludwig Becker was born i Dortmund-Aplerbeck in the Province of Westphalia, Joining the Luftwaffe volunteers in 1934, by 1939 he was a test pilot and a Leutnant in the Luftwaffe reserve. Serving with Nachtjagdgeschwader 1 (NJG 1—1st Night Fighter Wing), he crashed a Messerschmitt Bf 110 near Winterswijk on 30 August 1940 His first victory was a Vickers Wellington on the night of 16/17 October 1940. Becker was flying a Dornier Do 17Z-10 equipped with a gun-camera. The victory recorded the demise of the No. 311 Squadron RAF aircraft piloted by Pilot Officer Bohumil Landa and three of his Czech crew. It was also the first radar-controlled "Dunkle Nachtjagd" (DuNaJa—dark night fighting, without search lights) victory of the war. He was later equipped with the Dornier Do 215B night fighter (code G9+OM) equipped with Lichtenstein radar. He achieved six victories between 10 August and 30 September 1941 in this machine. Becker developed his own tactics for attacking a bomber. He would trail the aircraft from the stern, just below the height shown on the radar. After sighting the bomber, he dived and accelerated to avoid being spotted by the tail gunner. Once underneath the enemy, Becker reduced the throttle and matched the speed of the unsuspecting pilot. Becker then climbed steadily to 50 ft (164 m) from the target before he pulled up and opened fire. Because the Do 215 lost speed the bomber would fly ahead and the through the stream of shells. With this method, the gun sight was rarely needed He was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross in July 1942, he then served as a Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) in 12./NJG 1. By the end of the year, Becker had some 40 victories to his credit. Becker and his Radar Operator Oberfeldwebel Josef Straub (who had taken part in 40 victories) were posted missing in action on 26 February 1943 in a Bf 110G-4 while on a daylight mission intercepting a Boeing B-17 formation over the North Sea, and crashing north of Schiermonnikoog in the Netherlands. All his 46 victories were at night.
Bernhard, Karl Click the name above to see a profile of Bernhard, Karl	Bernhard, Karl Feldwebel, 2(F)/123, Pilot of a Bf.110 on a reconnaissance sortie reported missing after a flight over Malta
Bob, Hans-Ekkehard Click the name above to see a profile of Bob, Hans-Ekkehard    Died : 12 / 8 / 2013	Bob, Hans-Ekkehard After success in the Battle of Britain, Hans-Ekkehard Bob took over leadership of 9./JG54 in 1940. The following year he was awarded the Knight's Cross. Transferring to the Eastern Front his victories rose steadily to 50 by September 1942. His Group later transferred back to the West for a short period, where in April 1943, he rammed a B-17 Fortress. Returning to the Eastern Front as Kommander of IV./JG3, he ended the war as Adjutant of Galland's JV44 in the West. In his 700 missions he scored 60 victories.
Denz, Adolf Click the name above to see a profile of Denz, Adolf	Denz, Adolf Adolf Denz flew Me110 Tankbusters with their huge 37mfin anti-tank guns on the Russian Front with much success. Returning to the West with ZG76, on 14 Oct flew Me110s in defence of Schweinfirt.
Dittmann, Gerhard Click the name above to see a profile of Dittmann, Gerhard    Died : 18 / 8 / 1943	Dittmann, Gerhard KIA 18 August,1943 while flying Bf 110G-4 Werk # 5479 G9 + FZ of 12/NJG-1 (Leeuwarden 7/43) against the British raid on Peenemunde. His R/O, Uffz Theophil Bundschu was also killed. The G-4 crashed at Marum, NE of Drachten Holland (DeSwart), shot down by a Beaufighter of RAF No. 141 Sq., piloted by F/O H.E.White and Radar Oper F/O M.S.Allan. Dittmann has no known grave, while Bundschu (geb 12/18/22) washed ashore on the island of Mando on 28 September, 1943, and was buried in the Fovrfelt Cemetery, Gr 22, on 4 October, 1943 (Source: Air War over Denmark). One known victory, a B-17 into the North Sea NW of Vlieland on 25 July, 1943. Another B-17 into the sea near helgoland on 26 July, 1943. "
Drewes, Martin Click the name above to see a profile of Drewes, Martin    Died : 13 / 10 / 2013	Drewes, Martin One of the great Luftwaffe night fighter pilots; between 1941-45 he completed 235 combat missions flying the Me110, and with 52 aerial victories was one of the highest scoring night fighter Aces. After serving as a Destroyer pilot with II./ZG76, he was posted to Iraq, where he shot down a Gloster Gladiator, before transferring to night fighters. In March 1944 he was promoted to Kommandeur III./NJG1, a post he held until the end of the was. Martin Drewes flew total of 235 missions, and was awarded the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves.
Ebhardt, Rolf Click the name above to see a profile of Ebhardt, Rolf	Ebhardt, Rolf Joined Luftwaffe in December 1941 and began flight training at Dresden in February 1942. Joined NJG 101 in December 1942 (night training unit) where he completed his specialist training. (In training flew Ju52, He111, Ju88, Do217 and Me109) As a newly promoted Leutnant he joined III/NJG 1 in Holland on 1st November 1943 and achieved his first night time victory on 26 April 1944. By the time of his eighth and last victory on 5 January 1945 he had flown 82 operations and been awarded the Iron Cross First and Second Class. All his ops were flown in Me110s.
Falck, Wolfgang Click the name above to see a profile of Falck, Wolfgang    Died : 13 / 3 / 2007	Falck, Wolfgang At the outbreak of war Wolfgang Falck was Staffelkapitan of 8,/JG132 flying the Bf110 Zerstorer in the Polish Campaign. In Feb 1940 he became Kommandeur 1./ZG1 and led it during the Western campaign. From June 1940 Falck was appointed Kommodore NJG1, the largest Geschwader in the Luftwaffe. During this time the greatest Luftwaffe night Aces were under his command. In July 1943 he joined the staff of Luftflotte Recih where he was responsible for the day and night fighter defence of the Reich. In the autumn of 1944 he was made Fighter Leader in the Balkans, and later became head of staff for flying training. Wolfgang Falck flew 90 operations and was awarded the Knight's Cross. Died 13th March 2007.
Fries, Otto Click the name above to see a profile of Fries, Otto	Fries, Otto Otto Fries was posted to NJG I nightfighter unit in January 1942 as a Gefreiter. He served with them on the Western Front right through until the end of the war, flying continuously against RAF Bomber Command. He was commissioned Leutnant in August 1943. In July 1944 Otto was flying Me110s of II.Gruppe based in St. Trond, St. Dizier and then Arnheim. He later joined I.Gruppe before transferring to Münster-Hansdorf flying the Heinkel 219 Owl. He is one of the last surviving He219 pilots. Shot down four times, on the second of which he escaped by catapult ejection seat out of the He219 during night operations for home defence - it is thought had been shot down by night fighter Mosquito "R" of 85 Sqd flown by F/Lt Vaughan and F/Sgt R D McKinnon. The right hand engine of his He219 suddenly exploded into flames. With the loss of most of the control of the aircraft he jettisoned the aircrafts canopy, his wireless operator Feldwebel Alfred Staffa baled out and was severley wounded on landing with his parachute. Lt Otto Fries could not regain sufficient control of the He219 which was now burning so he ejected. He landed unhurt by means of his parachute. The He219 crashed about 3 kilometres south of Hertogenbosch and was destroyed. This was only the third such ejection in combat in the world. Otto scored 18 air victories by the end of the war.
Gummel, Wolfgang Click the name above to see a profile of Gummel, Wolfgang	Gummel, Wolfgang Me110 pilot of 3./ZG1.
Hoffmann, Werner Click the name above to see a profile of Hoffmann, Werner    Died : 8 / 7 / 2011	Hoffmann, Werner Born in 1918, Werner Hoffman began flying gliders in 1932 before joining the Luftwaffe in 1936, being awarded his pilots badge in June 1938. A month later, he was with 7./JG234 which, at the beginning of May 1939, became one of the first Destroyer units, I./ZG52. He was assigned to 4./ZG2 and took part in the Battle of France, scoring his first victory, a Spitfire, over Dunkirk. After being wounded, he served as a Staffelkapitan with Erganzungs Zerstorer Gruppe in Denmark, before retraining as a night fighter. Becoming Staffelkpitan of 5./NJG3, he took part in the Channel Dash operations. Hoffmann claimed two twin engine RAF bombers during the 1,000 bomber raid on the night of 25th - 26th June 1942, his first victories at night. In July 1943 he was appointed Gruppenkommandeur of I./NJG5. By the end of 1943, his victory total had increased to 18, but on 20th January 1944 his aircraft was damaged by a Lancaster bomber and he was forced to bale out. At the end of January 1944, he shot down three Halifaxes one night, followed by two Lancasters the following night. With further victories over four-engined bombers at night, his tally grew until the night of 16th - 17th March 1945, when his Ju88 was shot down by a Mosquito night fighter, thought to have been the 239 Sqn Mosquito of British Ace Dennis Hughes. He flew almost 200 missions, scoring 51 night and 1 day victories. Awarded the Knight's Cross in 1943, he was nominated for the Oak Leaves. Werner Hoffman passed away on 8th July 2011.
Holzmann, Josef Click the name above to see a profile of Holzmann, Josef	Holzmann, Josef
Jabs, Hans-Joachim Click the name above to see a profile of Jabs, Hans-Joachim    Died : 23 / 10 / 2003	Jabs, Hans-Joachim After seeing combat as a pilot in Czechoslovakia and the great air battles over France and Belgium, Hans-Joachim Jabs flew the Messerschmitt Me110 Zerstorer throughout the Battle of Britain with II./ZG76 Sharks Gruppe. During this time he shot down eight Spitfires and four Hurricanes and was awarded the Knights Cross in October 1940. Hans-Joachim Jabs retrained as a night fighter pilot, briefly returning to daylight operations to escort the German capital ships on the famous Channel Dash. He became Kommandeur of IV./NJG1, and from March 1944, Kommodore. He was awarded Oak Leaves to the Knights Cross in March 1944. In April 1944 he acheived two remarkable day victories, both over Spitfires. Hans-Joachim Jabs flew 710 missions and scored 22 day and 28 night victories. Born 14th November 1917, died 26th October 2003. Born in Lubeck Germany in 1917, Han-Joachim Jabs, one of the highest scoring Bf- 110 aces to survive the War, joined the Luftwaffe in late 1936. He was originally trained as a Bf-109 pilot, but in March of 1940 he was transferred to ZG-76 which flew the Bf- 100, twin-engine fighter. Jabs honed his fighter pilot skills during the Battle of France, during which he downed four French fighters and two Spitfires, making him an ace. As the Battle of Britain commenced, most Bf-110s were initially assigned the role of escort for German bombers. Pitted against large numbers of Hurricanes and Spitfires flown by well-trained pilots of the RAF, many of these Zerstorer pilots would not survive the Battle of Britain. Hans-Joachim Jabs was an exception. He was one of the few German Bf-110 aces to attain numerous victories against Hurricanes and Spitfires during the Battle of Britain, during which he downed eight Spitfires and four Hurricanes. Downing the superior-performing Spitfires and Hurricanes in the twin-engine Bf-110 was considered by fellow Zerstorer pilots as the ultimate achievement of a fighter pilot. However, by mid 1941 it was very clear that the Bf-110 needed to be withdrawn from front-line daytime fighter service. Many 110s were retrofitted for the night fighter role, where the aircraft would not encounter fighter opposition. Jabs was retrained in late 1941, and he joined NJG-3 in the defense of Hamburg from the RAF night bombing attacks. He did participate in a daylight mission to provide air cover for the famed Channel Dash of the Prinz Eugen and several other capital ships. Jabs had few good scoring opportunities until he was transferred to NJG-1 operating in Holland. This unit was equipped with a later variant of the 110 with better radar and with heavier armament. Jabs night fighter score began to mount, with most of his victims being RAF bombers. By January of 1944 he had attained a total of 44 victories. He was promoted to Kommodore of NJG-1, but continued to fly missions with the men under his command. Major Heinz Schnaufer, the top-scoring night fighter ace of all-time, with 121 victories, served for a while under Jabs' command. While preparing to return from a mission on April 29, 1944, Jabs' 110 was jumped by several Spitfires. Turning into the enemy and firing with his long range cannons, Jabs bagged one the Spitfires, and temporarily sent the others scurrying. The Spitfires regrouped and once again Jabs turned into them and downed one of his pursuers. The ace's 110 had taken quite a few hits and Jabs now desperately tried to return to his base. He was able to land the badly shot-up aircraft and seek cover before the remaining Spitfires strafed his Zerstorer into a burning piece of rubble. Jabs' final victories came on the night of February 21, 1945, when he downed two Lancasters. Jabs total of fifty aerial victories, which included twenty-two daytime victories and twenty-eight night fighter victories were all attained in the Bf-110. Following the end of the War, Jabs began a new life as a businessman and public servant. Jabs married in 1940 and has two sons. He died 23th October 2003.
Ostermann, Max-Hellmuth Click the name above to see a profile of Ostermann, Max-Hellmuth    Died : 9 / 8 / 1942	Ostermann, Max-Hellmuth Born in Hamburg on 11th December 1917, Max-Hellmuth Ostermann joined the Luftwaffe in March 1937. He flew Me110s with I./ZG1, participating in the invasion of Poland before transferring to JG21 in April 1940. During the Battle of France, he claimed his first victory, shooting down a French fighter on 20th May 1940. He claimed one more victory during the French campaign before the squadron was redesignated JG54 and fought in the Battle of Britain, where Ostermann claimed a further 6 victories. Participating in the Balkans campaign, he shot down a Yugoslavian Me109 fighter, before moving to fight the Russians on the eatern front. With 29 victories claimed, he was awarded the Knights Cross on 4th September 1941. He scored his 50th victory on 20th January 1942, increasing his total to 70 by the 20th of March that year. Early in May, after scoring his 97th victory, Ostermann was shot down but was unharmed. Returning to action, he scored his 100th victory on 12th May 1942, and was the 7th pilot to score this total. He was shot down on the same mission, suffering sufficient wounds to keep him out of action until August. On 9th August 1942, he scored his 102nd victory, but was shot down and killed by Russian fighters soon afterwards.
Schenck, Wolfgang Click the name above to see a profile of Schenck, Wolfgang    Died : 5 / 3 / 2010	Schenck, Wolfgang Born 7th February 1913, Wolfgang Schenck joined the Luftwaffe in 1936. After training he was assigned to JG132 flying Me109s before the squadron was renamed ZG1 and converted to Me110s. He took part in operations against Poland, Norway and France but was hospitalised for three months after being wounded. After recovering, he joined EG210, an experimental squadron, to develop fighter bomber tactics. Renamed as SG210, the squadron later took part in the advance into Russia, where Schenck was awarded his Knights Cross. In March 1942 Schenck took command of 1./ZG1, and was awarded the Oak Leaves to his Knights Cross with this unit. He went on to command SG2, flying Fw190s in the Mediterranean. Later, from December 1944 to January 1945, Schenck commanded KG51, flying the newly developed Me262 jet fighter-bomber. Flying over 400 missions, Schenck scored 18 aerial victories and sunk 28,000 tons of shipping. Wolfgang Schenck passed away on 5th March 2010.
Schleiff , Fritz Click the name above to see a profile of Schleiff , Fritz	Schleiff , Fritz
Schmidt, Ludwig Click the name above to see a profile of Schmidt, Ludwig	Schmidt, Ludwig
Schoenemann, Karl-Heinz Click the name above to see a profile of Schoenemann, Karl-Heinz	Schoenemann, Karl-Heinz Karl-Heinz Schoenemann joined the Luftwaffe in 1942, straight out of college. His aptitude led him to be chosen for training as a wireless operator and airborne radar specialist. After training on various types, including the Junkers Ju86 and Heinkel He219, he eventually became operational as the electronics operator aboard the Messerschmitt 110G. Posted to join NJGI, he served on Me110s until late 1944 when his aircraft crash-landed near the town of Sedan in northern France, where he was captured by the Americans. He spent the remainder of the war as a POW.
Schulze, Kurt Click the name above to see a profile of Schulze, Kurt	Schulze, Kurt After serving with the Air Signals Corps during the Blitzkrieg through the Low Countries and France, Kurt Schulze then flew as a Me110 Wireless Operator over southern Russia, before returning to the west. Here he flew night missions against England in Do217s with I./KG2. In September 1943 he transferred to train as a fighter pilot, and flew 65 missions in Me109s with III./JG5 on the Arctic Front, scoring three victories. In November 1944 he flew in the ill-fated defence of the German battleship Tirpitz. In March 1945 he commanded I./JG51 in the encircled east German city of Danzig, before returning to Norway in May 1945 to command 16./JG5.
Spoden, Peter Click the name above to see a profile of Spoden, Peter	Spoden, Peter Peter Spoden was born in Borken near Minster on 8th November 1921. Peter Spoden completed his education in 1940 and worked initially on the railways. Spoden learned to fly gliders with the Hitler Youth. He finally joined the Luftwaffe in October 1941. Spoden trained at the Luftkriegsschule 4 at Fürstenfeldbruck. After gaining his Pilot’s Badge and A/B flying certificate, Spoden attended Flugzeugführerschule C 17 at Pütnitz where he trained to fly multi-engine types. On the 1st of February 1942 Spoden was promoted to the rank of Leutnant and on 1st September, Spoden attended the Blindflugschule at Copenhagen for instrument flight training before pgoing to the Nachtjagdschule at Kitzingen for operational training. On 1 June 1943, Leutnant Spoden was assigned to 6./NJG 5 based at Parchim. He scored his first victory on the Peenemunde raid when he intercepted a RAF formation of Lancaster bomber between Hanshagen and Greifswald.whihc were attacking the German the research facilities. On the night of 22/23 August, while attacking RAF bomber formations over Berlin, Spoden shot down a Halifax, before engaging an RAF Stirling four-engine bomber. He shot down the Stirling, but the bombers rear-gunner was able to score hits on Spoden’s Bf 110 night-fighter, wounding him in the left leg, and setting his aircraft on fire. Spoden baled out of his Me110 but contacted the tail unit pinning him to the elevator. Fortunately, he was thrown clear. Spoden spent three months recuperating before returning to 5./NJG 5 in November and in August 1944, Spoden was transferred to the Stabsstaffel of II./NJG 6 based at Swäbisch Hall. On the night of 26/27 December, he was seeking Allied gliders supplying men and equipment to encircled troops at Bastogne when his Me110 was hit by German flak. The port engine caught fire and Spoden was forced to belly-land his aircraft near Stradtkyll. Spoden was knocked unconscious and was pulled from the blazing wreckage by his crewmen. On 21 February 1945, Spoden recorded his 20th victory when he shot down Lancaster near Worms. In late February, he was awarded the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold for 22 victories. Returning to night fighting he eventually became Gruppenkommandeur of I./NJG6 on 19th March 1945, his final tally was 26 victories. On 29 April 1945 the remnants of NJG 6 surrendered to American troops at Schleissheim. Spoden was released from captivity in autumn 1945. In 1954, he was accepted for a Lufthansa training programme to become an airline pilot. He completed the course on 20 July 1955, retiring in 1981.
Staffa, Alfred Click the name above to see a profile of Staffa, Alfred	Staffa, Alfred Born in the Czech Republic, Alfred Staffa qualified as a Luftwaffe radio-operator in November 1941. In January 1942 he was posted to II. Gruppe, NJG I as radio-operator to Otto Fries flying the Me110. On 28 August, 1942, they were shot down in flames by the rear-gunner of an RAF Stirling bomber, and again shot down in May 1944. In June 1944 he joined 6./NJG 1, and later l./NJG 1. flying in the Heinkel 219. He also survived an ejector seat escape out of this burning aircraft. Alfred Staffa flew 102 night missions, 5 day missions and shared 18 air victories.
Sturm, Alfred Click the name above to see a profile of Sturm, Alfred	Sturm, Alfred C 2.(Z)/LG 1 at 17.10 over Warschau shot down a PZL P-24 Pologne
Weissenberger, Theodor Click the name above to see a profile of Weissenberger, Theodor    Died : 10 / 6 / 1950	Weissenberger, Theodor Major Theodor Weissenberger was born 21 December 1914 in Mühlheim am Main, he was unfortunately killed in a car racing accident 10 June 1950 on the Nürburgring ring. Major Theodor was a German World War II fighter ace who served in the Luftwaffe from 1936 until the end of World War II in 1945. He flew more than 500 combat missions claiming 208 enemy aircraft shot down. 33 claims were made on the Western Front, including some 7 heavy bombers. Pre-war Major Weissenberger was a keen glider pilot and was an instructor in the early war years. He finally managed an operational posting in mid 1941, to I (Z). /JG 77 in Norway. He claimed his first kill in October 1941, and went on to score a further twenty-one kills in the Bf 110, in addition to fifteen locomotives, two flak installations, and numerous ground targets destroyed. In September 1942 he was posted to II./JG 5, based in Northern Finland. Flying with 6 Staffel, and then as commander of 7 Staffel, he had claimed 104 kills by July 1943, and been awarded the Knights Cross. Becoming Gruppenkommandeur of II./JG 5 in April 1944, he had claimed some 175 kills by May 1944 in over 350 missions on the Arctic Front. Taking over I./JG 5 on 4 June, the unit transferred to the Western Front in mid 1944 and through June and July 1944, Weissenberger flew twenty-six sorties and was credited with twenty-five victories over the Invasion Front around Normandy (his claims were half the total score by the whole unit, I./JG 5, during this period). He claimed five P-47's on 7 June, two more P-47's on 9 June, and another three P-47's on 12 June. He scored again on 19 July with three Typhoons and a P-51. On 25 July he claimed two more Spitfires shot down. Major Weissenberger converted to the Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter in the second half of 1944. In November 1944 he was posted to command I./JG 7.
Weissflog, Erich Click the name above to see a profile of Weissflog, Erich    Died : 1999	Weissflog, Erich Erich Weissflog flew in the Me110 Zerstorer during the Battle of Britain with II./ZG76, the Sharks Gruppe. He was also radio operator to Hans-Joachim Jabs on almost all his Destroyer, and later, night fighter missions in NG1. He was awarded the Knights Cross in 1944 and participated in a total of 48 day and night air victories. He passed away in 1999.
Wieczorek, Hermann Click the name above to see a profile of Wieczorek, Hermann	Wieczorek, Hermann Hermann Wieczorek joined the Luftwaffe in 1935 and served as a flight mechanic before training as a pilot. Upon qualifying, he served initially as a flying instructor before joining Oberfehlshaber Sud, under General Kesselring, flying photoreconnaissance missions in the ME-110 and JU-88 over Italy and North Africa. In June, 1944, he was transferred to 1./KG51, flying the ME-262 on the Western Front. Hermann flew the 262 in the action against the Bridge at Remagen and afterword until the end of the war.
Wollenweber, Wolfgang Click the name above to see a profile of Wollenweber, Wolfgang	Wollenweber, Wolfgang After his flight training Wolfgang was transferred to JG5 in the Arctic where he flew the Me110 on escort missions over the North Atlantic, Murmansk and Russia, he was then awarded the Iron Cross First Class. After this he retrained on the Fw190 fighter aircraft and rocket fighter Me163. Wolfgang flew the Heinkel He162 as a Squadron Leader of the first jet fighter squadron. This revolutionary jet was demanding even for the most experienced pilots, many of them did not survive, but miraculously he survived 14 missions on this aircraft.
Wust, Willi Click the name above to see a profile of Wust, Willi	Wust, Willi Together with his pilot - Knights Cross winner Alfred Wehmeyer, Willi Wust flew as radio operator in the Me110 Zerstorer during the Battle of Britain with III./ZG26 Horst Wessel. In 1941 he and Wehmeyer were posted with ZG26 to the Mediterranean where they flew over 113 combat missions in Africa and Crete, scoring 8 air victories. He was awarded the Knights Cross First Class.
Zorner, Paul Click the name above to see a profile of Zorner, Paul    Died : 27 / 1 / 2014	Zorner, Paul Originally a transport pilot, Paul Zorner flew in North Africa, the Mediterranean and southern Russia before retraining as a nightfighter pilot, joining II./NJG2 in 1942 flying the Ju88. In December he took command of 2./NJG3 operating first the Do217 and then the Me110. At the beginning of 1943 he was squadron commander of 3./NJG3 and then 8./NJG3, which he led until April 1944, when he took command of III./NJG5, re-equipping with the Ju88G-6. In October 1944 he was promoted to become Kommander of II./NJG100. Paul Zorner was credited with 59 victories and was awarded the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves.

Squadrons for : Me110
A list of all squadrons known to have flown the Me110. A profile page is available by clicking the squadron name.
Squadron	Info
JG132 Country : Germany Founded : 1st April 1936 Fate : Became Stab./JG26 on 1st May 1939. 'Richthofen' Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of JG132	JG132 Formed 1st April 1936 in Döberitz. Until 1st November 1938, JG132 carried the traditional name Richthofen. On 1st November 1938 redesignated Stab/JG131. Reformed 1st November 1938 in Düsseldorf. On 1st May 1939 redesignated Stab/JG26. From 1st April 1936, the squadron flew He51s and Bf109s (B and D) from Döberitz. From 1st November 1938 to 1st May 1939 the squadron flew Bf109 (D and E) from Düsseldorf.
JG334 Country : Germany 'Richthofen' Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of JG334	JG334 Full profile not yet available.
JG5 Country : Germany 'Richthofen' Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of JG5	JG5 Eismeer was a Luftwaffe fighter Wing that served during World War II. As the name Eismeer (Ice Sea) implies, it was created to operate in the far North of Europe, namely Norway, Scandinavia and northern parts of Finland, all nearest the Arctic Ocean. Just over two dozen fighter aircraft that once served with JG 5 during the war still survive in the 21st century, more than from any other combat wing of any of the Axis air forces of World War II.
JG77 Country : Germany Founded : May 1939 'Ace of Hearts' Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of JG77	JG77 Herz As (Ace of Hearts) was a Luftwaffe fighter wing during World War II. It served in all the German theaters of war, from Western Europe to the Eastern Front, and from the high north in Norway to the Mediterranean. JG 77 was formed in May 1939 with I. and II. Gruppe. III./JG 77 was formed on 5 July 1940 in Trondheim from the II(J)./JG 186. I./ JG 77 was reorganized on 21 November 1940 into IV./JG 51 and a new I./JG 77 was established. In January 1942 I./JG 77 was transferred to I./JG 5 and a new I./JG 77 was created. In April 1942 1. Staffel was transferred to Romania and designated the defence unit for the Ploie?ti oil fields at Mizil. (This staffel was redesignated 1./JG 4 in August 1942.)
LG1 Country : Germany Fate : was ordered to disband on 22 April 1945, but was overrun by Canadian Forces at Varel 26–28 April 'Ace of Hearts' Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of LG1	LG1 Lehrgeschwader 1 (LG 1) (Demonstration Wing 1) formerly Lehrgeschwader Greifswald was a Luftwaffe multi-purpose unit during World War II, operating fighter, bomber and dive-bomber Gruppen. The unit was formed in July 1936 and operated the Messerschmitt Bf 109, Messerschmitt Bf 110, Dornier Do 17, Heinkel He 111, Junkers Ju 88 and Junkers Ju 87. On 25/26 August 1939 the unit mobilised. Assigned to Luftflotte 2, the Geschwader suffered light losses. I.(Zerstörer)/LG 1 lost only three Bf 110s in September.[1] II./LG also took part. Operating He 111s the Gruppe began operations with 39 He 111s (34 operational), and struck at targets in and around Warsaw. The unit also undertook naval strike missions against Royal Navy vessels off the Norwegian coast on 6 October III./LG 1 also took part, committing 39 He 111s to the battle.[3] Exact losses are unknown, but light. IV.(Stuka) unit, also began its military operations over Poland. Equipped with the Ju 87 Stuka, the Gruppe supported the XI.Armee until withdrawn from operations on 29 September During the campaign, the unit was transferred to Luftflotte 1 I.(K)/LG 1 undertook some armed reconnaissance missions along the Norwegian coast in late April 1940, without suffering casualties. The unit reported three losses. Whether these losses were inflicted as a result of enemy action is unknown.[5] II./LG 1 undertook missions against Allied shipping. On 1 May 1940 the Norwegian hospital ship Dronning Maud was sunk by this unit. The Geschwader lost 55 aircraft in the battle for France, 50 of them in combat. LG 1 records reveal the unit claimed seven Allied ships sunk and 23 damaged, along with 19 Allied aircraft shot down in aerial combat. I.(K)/LG 1 began the campaign with 30 He 111s, of which 22 were combat ready. The Gruppe took part in the Battle of Dunkirk, and spent the majority of its time heavily engaged with Allied Naval forces. II./LG 1, operating under Luftflotte 2, was tasked with direct ground support, Air interdiction, and logistical strikes against the enemy. Operating with 18 of its 26 He 111s at the start of the campaign, it hit the French airfields at Lille on 10 May. On 12 May a raid against Vlissingen harbour cost II. Gruppe two Heinkels. The Gruppe also took part in the Battle of Hannut, attacking Allied positions in Belgium, losing one He 111. The unit were withdrawn from the front-line for five days to convert to the Ju 88. During further operations against Allied rail targets, a further loss, a single Ju 88, was sustained on 20 May in the Amiens area. II. Gruppe was tasked the missions against Naval forces until the end of the Dunkirk evacuation. Several missions against Ostend and Dunkirk's harbours were flown from 25–31 May. This particular unit also took part in Unternehmen Paula, a 1,000 aircraft assault on French airfields in and around Paris on 2 June 1940, without loss. Missions over the Loire Valley continued until 22 June 1940. III. Gruppe also participated . Committing 12 He 111s and 37 Ju 88s it supported II. Gruppe and its operations. IV.(Stuka)/LG 1 undertook ground attack operations with 37 Ju 87 Bs, without being involved in any notable actions. V.(Zerstorer)/LG 1's responsibility was escort duties. Equipped with 33 Bf 110 Ds, the unit lost 8 Bf 110s from 10 May to 16 June 1940, when it was withdrawn for rest and refitting. During the battle of Britain the squadron attacked on 15 August with 12 Ju 88As of I//LG 1 against RAF Middle Wallop destroyed several Spitfires, but the unit lost five aircraft to defending fighters. The Geschwader suffered a cripplingly high loss rate during the battle. From 8 July 1940 to December 1940, LG 1 lost 94 aircraft, and a further 13 were destroyed after returning with damage. LG 1 lost 119 crews and pilots killed, 102 missing and 36 captured. V. (Zerstörer)/LG 1 sustained particularly high losses, losing 25 Bf 110Cs between 4 July and 16 September. It was reduced to just 10 Bf 110s, but on 7 September 1940 it lost a further seven 110s, as a result the unit was withdrawn from operations. It was designated I.NJG 3 on 29 September. .(K)/LG 1 took part in the Balkan campaign. It sank the Allied transport vessels Ellenis on 20 April, in Piraeus harbour, and Pennland (16,000 grt) on 24 April. It continued anti-shipping missions throughout the remainder of the conflict. On 21 May 1941 the gruppe damaged the Royal Navy Leander-class HMS Ajax. During 22–27 May 1941, HMS Barham and HMS Warspite were damaged by LG 1s attacks. Notable actions of the Geschwader during the two-year stint in North Africa included I.(K)/LG 1s sinking of three large transport vessels Clan Campbell, Clan Chattan and Rowallan Castle from the convoy MW 9, during attacks on 13–14 February 1941. III./LG 1 also damaged the Australian destroyer Waterhen on 9 July 1941, and sinking it on 11 July. The Geschwader supported the Afrikakorps until 1942. Bombing raids were made the Suez Canal, Cairo during this time. On 11/12 May I.(K)/LG 1 led by Hauptmann Joachim Helbig were responsible for sinking HMS Kipling, HMS Jackal and HMS Lively in the Gulf of Sollum. The Geschwader also took part in the Siege of Malta during October 1942. IV.(Erg)/LG 1 and III./LG 1 (disbanded and reformed in May 1943) were based in Greece and Italy for the remainder of the war, striking at Allied Shipping. The units were bombed continually. Hangars and workshops that held vital spare parts were destroyed. The fuel crisis in July 1944 forced most of the two units to withdraw to Austria. On the Eastern Front Only III. Gruppe and IV.(Stuka)/LG 1 were the only Gruppen of the LG 1 to operate in the Soviet Union. III./LG 1 moved to Nikolayez in the Ukraine from 23–24 March 1942. The units took part in the Battle of Sevastopol and the Battle of Stalingrad. It also conducted anti-shipping missions against the Soviet Navy and Black Sea Fleet in the Crimea. IV. Gruppe operated the Ju 87 from northern Norway and Finland at the start of Operation Barbarossa. It flew a variety of ground attack missions, and anti-shipping missions around Murmansk. According to its records, the Gruppe lost 26 Stukas, 21 crews killed, seven missing, 6 wounded and three captured between 3 September 1940 and 27 January 1942. Later, just prior to the Battle of Berlin, the Geschwader took part in Operation Eisenhammer, striking at the Oder bridges to prevent their use by the Red Army. The Geschwader attempted to support the German Army in France. However, due to Allied air superiority it was restricted to flying at night. From 1 July 1944 to 31 August 1944 I.(K)/LG 1 lost 19 aircraft in the failed Normandy Campaign. The Gruppe also supported German forces during the Battle of the Bulge offensive. Operating at night to avoid Allied fighters, the unit attacked troop concentrations and marshalling yards in Belgium and France. On the night of 16/27 December 1944, the unit lost five Ju 88S-3s out of nine in a raid against Namur, Belgium.[18] The Gruppe was ordered to disband on 22 April 1945, but was overrun by Canadian Forces at Varel 26–28 April. II./LG 1 also lost 19 aircraft in these operations (Ref Wikipedia)
NJG1 Country : Germany 'Ace of Hearts' Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of NJG1	NJG1 Full profile not yet available.
NJG3 Country : Germany 'Ace of Hearts' Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of NJG3	NJG3 Nachtjagdgeschwader 3 (NJG 3) was a Luftwaffe night fighter-wing of World War II. NJG 3 was formed on 29 September 1941 in Stade from Stab./Zerstörergeschwader 26. 1./NJG3 operated in the Mediterranean area between Feb 1941 and Oct 1941 (Feb 1941 - May 1941 Sicily, Argos [X. Fliegerkorps]; May 1941 - Aug 1941 Benghazi [Fl. Fü. Afrika], Aug 1941 - Oct 1941 Derna [Fl. Fü. Afrika]). 2./NJG3 operated in the Smolensk area from Feb 1942 - Mar 1942 (Luftwaffenkommando Ost), and was stationed at Wittmundhafen Mar 1942 to Apr 1944 (1. NJ-Div., from May 1942 2. JD). 3./NJG3 was detached at Kastrup/Copenhagen, at least between Aug 1943 and Mar 1944 (2. JD). 4./NJG3 was detached at Westerland from Sep 1941 to 21 Jan 1944 (1. NJ-Div., from May 1942 2. JD). Another detachment operated from Mainz-Finthen in late 1941 (1. NJ-Div.). 7./NJG3 was detached at Lüneburg from Nov 1941 to Apr 1943, Kastrup/Copenhagen Apr 1943 to Nov 1943, and Nordholz Nov 1943 to Apr 1944. 8./NJG3 was detached at Lüneburg from Apr 1943 to Apr 1944. Other detachments were based at Ingolstadt and Wunstorf. (All under 1. NJ-Div., later 2. JD) Known aircraft that the squadron had shot down 31 December 1944: 1 Short Stirling , LJ 914 620 Sqn. Crew unknown. Near Lister (this is most likely by NJS Norwegen) 22 February 1945: 1 Short Stirling Mk IV. LK 566. 190 Sqn. Crew killed. Near Tvedestrand 25 February 1945: 1 Handley Page Halifax MK III. NA 103. 298 Sqn. Crew killed. Near Arendal 25 February 1945: 1 Short Stirling MK IV. LJ 925. 196 Sqn. 3 Bailed out, 3 killed. Near Arendal 30 March 1945: 1 Short Stirling MK IV. LK 119. 161 Sqn. Crew Killed. Near Tvedestrand 30 March 1945: 1 Short Stirling MK IV. LK 332. 299 Sqn. Crew Killed. Risör 30 March 1945: 1 Short Stirling MK IV. LJ 888. 196 Sqn. Crew Killed. Arendal
NJG5 Country : Germany 'Ace of Hearts' Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of NJG5	NJG5 Full profile not yet available.
NJG6 Country : Germany 'Ace of Hearts' Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of NJG6	NJG6 Full profile not yet available.
NJGr10 Country : Germany 'Ace of Hearts' Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of NJGr10	NJGr10 Nachtjagdgruppe 10 (NJGr 10) was a German Luftwaffe night fighter gruppe (group) during World War II. It was formed on 1 January 1944 at Werneuchen with 3 Staffel (squadrons). It was subordinated to the 1. Jagd-Division (1st fighter division), stationed at Döberitz. On 6 March 1945, NJGr 10 transferred to Liebenwalde and disbanded in April 1945. The remnants of NJGr 10 were absorbed by Nachtjagdgeschwader 5 (5th Night Fighter Wing). Its main task was to explore new and revised tactical deployment of night fighters, test the latest search and detection equipment in conjunction with the test site for radar equipment under combat conditions (Erprobung von Radarsysteme für die Nachtjagd), and place the anti-Mosquito effort under a more centralised command
ZG1 Country : Germany 'Ace of Hearts' Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of ZG1	ZG1 Full profile not yet available.
ZG26 Country : Germany 'Ace of Hearts' Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of ZG26	ZG26 Full profile not yet available.
ZG52 Country : Germany 'Ace of Hearts' Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of ZG52	ZG52 Full profile not yet available.
ZG76 Country : Germany 'Ace of Hearts' Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of ZG76	ZG76 Zerstörergeschwader 76 was formed on 1 May 1939 with the I. Gruppe and II. Gruppe without a Geschwaderstab. The II. Gruppe was initially equipped with the Messerschmitt Bf 109 and was known as Jagdgruppe 176. The Geschwaderstab was created on 15 April 1940 in Köln-Wahn. The III. Gruppe was raised on 26 June 1940 in Trier-Euren. On 1 September 1939 Germany attacked Poland although bad weather initially precluded a large scale deployment of ZG 76. I./ZG 76 engaged Polish fighters formations and made their first claims, although also suffered their first losses. Future 'ace' Leutnant Helmut Lent participated in the attack on Poland, destroying several aircraft on the ground and a PZL P.11 fighter in the air on 2 September 1939 for his and (I./ZG 76) first victory. However, on 12 September, following the destruction of an aircraft on the ground he was attacked by another fighter and his starboard engine was hit and put out of action. This necessitated a forced-landing, fortunately behind his own lines, in which he received minor injuries. On 29 September, I./ZG 76 was withdrawn to the Stuttgart area to provide Reichsverteidigung (Defense of the Reich) against the Western Allied Air Forces. I./ZG 76 claimed 31 kills during the campaign, of which 19 were confirmed. On 18 December 1939 the Royal Air Force sent a force of Vickers Wellingtons to raid Wilhelmshafen during the day. I./ZG 76 under Hptm. Gunther Reinecke, intercepted. Staffelkapitän of 2./ZG 76, Wolfgang Falck, and wingman Uffz. Heinz Fresia were the first to engage, claiming two Wellingtons each, though Falck's aircraft was hit by defending fire and he crash-landed on Wangerooge. Others of I./ZG 76 intercepted at intervals, unit claims totalling 15 Wellingtons shot down. The RAF lost 12, with total Luftwaffe unconfirmed claims being 38

Last edited : 18:55, December 12, 2017
Last editor : HMS

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