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Colin Heaton - The Me 262 Stormbird

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Название:
The Me 262 Stormbird
Автор:
Colin D. Heaton
Издательство:
Zenith Press
Жанр:
История / на английском языке
Год:
2012
Город:
Minneapolis, MN
ISBN:
978-0-7603-4263-3
Рейтинг книги:
3 / 5. Голосов: 1
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The Me 262 Stormbird: краткое содержание, описание и аннотация

Предлагаем к чтению аннотацию, описание, краткое содержание или предисловие (зависит от того, что написал сам автор книги «The Me 262 Stormbird»). Если вы не нашли необходимую информацию о книге — напишите в комментариях, мы постараемся отыскать её.

The Me 262 was the first of its kind, the first jet-powered aircraft. Although conceived before the war, with the initial plans being drawn in April 1939, the Stormbird was beset with technological (particularly the revolutionary engines) and political difficulties, resulting in it not entering combat until August 1944, with claims of nineteen downed Allied aircraft. The performance of the Me 262 so far exceeded that of Allied aircraft that on 1 Sepember 1944, USAAF General Carl Spaatz remarked that if greater numbers of German jets appeared, they could inflict losses heavy enough to force cancellation of the Allied daylight bombing offensive.
The story of how the Stormbird came to be is fascinating history, and it comes to life in the hands of noted historian Colin Heaton. Told largely in the words of the German aces who flew it,
provides the complete history of this remarkable airplane from the drawing boards to combat in the skies over the Third Reich. Features two forewords, one by Jorg Czypionka, Me 262 night fighter pilot, and another by historian and author Barrett Tillman.
The introduction of the Me 262 Stormbird jet fighter was a potential game changer for the Germans in World War II, but production delays and a shortage of pilots minimized its impact on the war. Nevertheless, jet engines were the way of the future, and the Stormbird loomed large in the experiences of the World War II pilots who flew and fought the first jet fighter.
In
, Colin D. Heaton (
) covers the iconic fighter in detail, often in the words of the men who flew it or fought it. From Willi Messerschmitt’s original designs, through the early technical difficulties and flight tests, and eventual introduction of the aircraft into the war, Heaton covers the Stormbird’s history in detail alongside fascinating anecdotes from many of Germany’s top aces—and the Allied airmen who went head to head with the futuristic jet while flying their prop-driven planes.
Heaton also covers the political machinations involved in getting approval for the jet—Hitler was personally involved—as well as the infighting among the Luftwaffe’s senior officers, some of whom wanted the aircraft designed as a fighter and others who wanted it designed as a bomber.
The first Me 262 squadron, ultimately designated as JG-7, and Adolf Galland’s squadron, JV-44, are covered extensively, along with the two-seater Me 262 night fighter. Heaton rounds out his narrative with the American perspective of Allied airmen who faced the 262, as well as an analysis of the Stormbird program and its post-war impact.
is a definitive account of this state-of-the-art aircraft. Review
From the Inside Flap “…as operational history, the book is both informative and strongly recommended.”
-
“This is both an intensely factual book about the famed Messerschmitt and a love story. The love story comes in from the authors' obvious fascination with the short-lived Stormbird… Even if you're an Me-262 expert, you're certain to find much that is new here. It's particularly interesting to read how various German pilots learned to use it in combat… If all this sounds intriguing, this is certainly the book for you.”
-

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Date Apr. 17, 1945

Unit II./JG-7

Cause Missing

Wk Nr Unk.

A/C ID N/A

Pilot Ofw Heinz Heinz Arnold#

Date Apr. 17, 1945

Unit JV-44

Cause Collision

Wk Nr Unk.

A/C ID N/A

Pilot Uffz Eduard Schallmoser

Date Apr. 17, 1945

Unit JV-44

Cause Crash take off

Wk Nr Unk.

A/C ID N/A

Pilot Obslt Johannes Steinhoff+

Date Apr. 18, 1945

Unit III./JG-7

Cause Shot down

Wk Nr Unk.

A/C ID N/A

Pilot Unk.#

Date Apr. 19, 1945

Unit III./JG-7

Cause Shot down

Wk Nr Unk.

A/C ID N/A

Pilot Unk.#

Date Apr. 19, 1945

Unit III./JG-7

Cause Shot down

Wk Nr Unk.

A/C ID N/A

Pilot Unk.#

Date Apr. 19, 1945

Unit III./JG-7

Cause Shot down

Wk Nr Unk.

A/C ID N/A

Pilot Unk.#

Date Apr. 19, 1945

Unit JV-44

Cause Shot down

Wk Nr Unk.

A/C ID N/A

Pilot Obfw Hans Grünberg

Date Apr. 19, 1945

Unit I./KG-54

Cause Shot down

Wk Nr Unk.

A/C ID N/A

Pilot Uffz Bruno Reischke*

Date Apr. 19, 1945

Unit I./KG-54

Cause Shot down

Wk Nr Unk.

A/C ID N/A

Pilot Lt Mai*

Date Apr. 19, 1945

Unit 12/JG-7

Cause Damaged by B-26

Wk Nr Unk.

A/C ID N/A

Pilot Unk.+

Date Apr. 20, 1945

Unit JV-44

Cause Crash landed [52]

Wk Nr Unk.

A/C ID N/A

Pilot Maj. Gerhard Barkhorn

Date Apr. 20, 1945

Unit III./KG-54

Cause Shot down

Wk Nr Unk.

A/C ID N/A

Pilot Unk. Unteroffizier *

Date Apr. 22, 1945

Unit JV-44

Cause Shot down

Wk Nr Unk.

A/C ID N/A

Pilot Obst Günther Lützow

Date Apr. 24, 1945

Unit I./JG-7

Cause Crashed

Wk Nr Unk.

A/C ID N/A

Pilot Unk.*

Date Apr. 25, 1945

Unit 9/JG-7

Cause Force landing [53]

Wk Nr 500071

A/C ID N/A

Pilot Fhr Hans-Guido Mutke

Date Apr. 25, 1945

Unit 9/JG-7

Cause Strafed while landing

Wk Nr Unk.

A/C ID N/A

Pilot Ofw Hermann Buchner

Date Apr. 25, 1945

Unit JV-44

Cause Shot down [54]

Wk Nr Unk.

A/C ID N/A

Pilot Genlt Adolf Galland+

Date Apr. 26, 1945

Unit JV-44

Cause Shot down

Wk Nr Unk.

A/C ID N/A

Pilot Maj. Georg-Peter Eder

Date Apr. 26, 1945

Unit JG-7

Cause Shot down by Soviets

Wk Nr Unk.

A/C ID N/A

Pilot Unk.#

Date Apr. 27, 1945

Unit JG-7

Cause Shot down by Soviets

Wk Nr Unk.

A/C ID N/A

Pilot Unk.#

Date Apr. 27, 1945

Unit JG-7

Cause Shot down

Wk Nr Unk.

A/C ID N/A

Pilot Lt Ernst-Rudolf Geldmacher*

Date Apr. 28, 1945

Unit III./KG-54

Cause Fire takeoff

Wk Nr Unk.

A/C ID B3+Red 1

Pilot Hptm Kornagel*

Date Apr. 29, 1945

Unit III./KG-54

Cause Missing

Wk Nr Unk.

A/C ID B3+Red 3

Pilot Unk.#

Date Apr. 29, 1945

Unit III./KG-54

Cause Shot down

Wk Nr Unk.

A/C ID B3+Red 2

Pilot Hptm Spadiut#

Date Apr. 29, 1945

Unit III./KG-54

Cause Shot down

Wk Nr Unk. B3+Red 2

A/C ID

Pilot Lt Paukner#

Date Apr. 29, 1945

Unit 1/JG-7

Cause Missing

Wk Nr Unk.

A/C ID N/A

Pilot Lt Fritz Kelb#

Date Apr. 30, 1945

Unit I./KG-54

Cause Soviet flak

Wk Nr Unk.

A/C ID N/A

Pilot Unk.#

Date Apr. 30, 1945

Unit KG-51

Cause Shot down

Wk Nr Unk.

A/C ID N/A

Pilot Lt Schimmel*

Date May 6, 1945

Unit KG-51

Cause Shot down

Wk Nr Unk.

A/C ID N/A

Pilot Lt Strothman*

Date May 7, 1945

Unit KG-51

Cause Shot down

Wk Nr Unk.

A/C ID N/A

Pilot Lt Poling*

Date May 7, 1945

Unit 1/JG-7

Cause Surrendered

Wk Nr 500210

A/C ID Yellow 17

Pilot Lt Hans Dorn

Date May 8, 1945

Unit 1/JG-7

Cause Surrendered

Wk Nr 112372

A/C ID Yellow 7

Pilot Uffz Günther Engle

Date May 8, 1945

Unit 1/JG-7

Cause Surrendered

Wk Nr 111690

A/C ID White 5

Pilot Lt Friedrich-Wilhelm Schülter

Date May 8, 1945

Unit 1/JG-7

Cause Surrendered

Wk Nr 5000443

A/C ID Yellow 5

Pilot Uffz Anton Schöppler

Date May 8, 1945

Unit I./KG-54

Cause Surrendered

Wk Nr Unk.

A/C ID N/A

Pilot None

Date May 8, 1945

Unit I./KG-51

Cause Surrendered

Wk Nr Unk.

A/C ID N/A

Pilot Hptm Rudolf Abrahamczik

Date May 8, 1945

Unit I./KG-51

Cause Surrendered

Wk Nr Unk.

A/C ID N/A

Pilot Lt Anton Haeffner

Date May 8, 1945

Unit I./KG-51

Cause Surrendered

Wk Nr 500200

A/C ID X

Pilot Lt Fröhlich

Date May 8, 1945

Unit I./KG-51

Cause Crash landed

Wk Nr Unk.

A/C ID N/A

Pilot Lt Wilhelm Batel

Date May 8, 1945

Unit I./KG-54

Cause Surrendered

Wk Nr Unk.

A/C ID N/A

Pilot Unk.

Date May 8, 1945

JG-7 PERMANENT PERSONNEL

Geschwaderkommodore

Oberstleutnant Johannes Steinhoff, 4 December 1944

Major Theodor Weissenberger, 1 January 1945

Major Rudolf Sinner (acting), 19 February 1945

Gruppenkommandeure

I./JG 7

Hauptmann Gerhard Baeker, August 1944

Major Theodor Weissenberger, 25 November 1944

Major Erich Rudorffer, 14 January 1945

Oberleutnant Fritz Stehle (acting), April 1945

Major Wolfgang Späte, April 1945

II./JG 7

Major Hermann Staiger, 12 January 1945

Hauptmann Burkhard, February 1945

Major Hans Klemm, 15 April 1945 - 8 May 1945

III./JG 7

Major Erich Hohagen, 19 November 1944

Major Rudolf Sinner, 1 January 1945

Hauptmann Johannes Naumann, 5 April 1945

IV./JG 7

Oberstleutnant Heinrich Bär, 3 May 1945

Pilots Attached to JG 7

Major Heinrich Ehrler

Leutnant Karl Schnörrer

Oberleutnant Walter Schuck

Oberstleutnant Johannes Steinhoff

Oberleutnant Hans Waldmann

Major Theodor Weissenberger

Leutnant Rudolf “Rolf” Glogner (Me 163 B Komet pilot with JG-300)

PHOTOGRAPHS

Oberst Johannes Steinhoff flew with JG26 JG52 JG77 JG7 and JV44 and - фото 36

Oberst Johannes Steinhoff flew with JG-26, JG-52, JG-77, JG-7, and JV-44 and scored 176 victories, 5 in the Me 262 with JG-7 and JV-44. He received the Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords after a stellar career on every front. He retired as a generalleutnant and NATO commander and became a prolific author on World War II. Johannes Steinhoff

Major Gerhard Barkhorn scored 301 kills with 2 possibly in the Me 262 He flew - фото 37

Major Gerhard Barkhorn scored 301 kills with 2 possibly in the Me 262. He flew with JG-52, JG-6, and JV-44 until a landing accident nearly broke his neck. He was awarded the Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords, but the war ended before he could be approved for the Diamonds. Ray Toliver

Major Walter Nowotny JG54 JG101 was the appointed leader of Kommando - фото 38

Major Walter Nowotny, JG-54, JG-101, was the appointed leader of Kommando Nowotny (later JG-7). “Nowi” received the Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds, scored 258 victories, with the last 3 scored in the Me 262 the day he was killed in close combat by Edward R. “Buddy” Haydon while trying to land at Achmer. Galland, Eder, and others, witnessed the event. Ray Toliver

Major Erich Rudorffer scored 222 victories 12 in the Me 262 while flying with - фото 39

Major Erich Rudorffer scored 222 victories, 12 in the Me 262, while flying with JG-4, JG-54, and JG-7. He also had a British submarine kill. Rudorffer was shot down over a dozen times, making nine parachute jumps. Ray Toliver

Oberstleutnant Heinrich Bär shot down 223 aircraft with 16 confirmed in the Me - фото 40

Oberstleutnant Heinrich Bär shot down 223 aircraft with 16 confirmed in the Me 262. He flew with JG-51, JG-77, JG-1, JG-7, and JG-3 before joining JV-44. He assumed command after Galland was shot down and wounded on April 26, 1945, receiving the Knight’s Cross, Oak Leaves and Swords. Ray Toliver

Major Heinrich Ehrler scored 208 victories 8 in the Me 262 and received the - фото 41

Major Heinrich Ehrler scored 208 victories, 8 in the Me 262, and received the Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves. He flew with JG-5 and JG-7, flying jets following the Tirpitz disaster and resulting in a court-martial. Ray Toliver

Major Theo Weissenberger scored 208 victories flying with JG5 and later JG7 - фото 42

Major Theo Weissenberger scored 208 victories flying with JG-5 and later JG-7, with his last 8 kills in the Me 262. He received the Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves and was kommodore of JG-7 following Steinhoff’s departure. Ray Toliver

Oberleutnant Walter Schuck scored 206 victories with JG5 and later JG7 with - фото 43

Oberleutnant Walter Schuck scored 206 victories with JG-5 and later JG-7, with 8 kills in the Me 262. Leading a somewhat charmed life, he survived two bailouts from crippled jets, one being the victim of Joe Peterburs, who became his friend after the war. Ray Toliver

Hauptmann Walter Krupinski received the Knights Cross with Oak Leaves for - фото 44

Hauptmann Walter Krupinski received the Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves for shooting down 197 aircraft. His career saw him fly with JG-52, JG-26, JG-4, JV-44, and JG-11. He scored two kills confirmed in the Me 262, and he retired as a generalleutnant in the West German Air Force as a qualified F-15 pilot. Walter Krupinski

Hauptmann Franz Shall scored 16 kills in the Me 262 for a wartime total of 133 - фото 45

Hauptmann Franz Shall scored 16 kills in the Me 262 for a wartime total of 133. He flew with JG-52, Kommando Nowotny , and JG-7, receiving the Knight’s Cross. He was shot down in the jet twice, once the day that Nowotny was killed over Achmer. Ray Toliver

Oberst Günther Lützow flew in the Spanish Civil War and by the time of his - фото 46

Oberst Günther Lützow flew in the Spanish Civil War, and by the time of his death had scored 110 victories with JG-3 and JV-44, with 2 kills in the jet (perhaps more), receiving the Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords. He was the leader of the Fighter’s Revolt that almost ended his career and the careers (if not lives) of Galland, Steinhoff, and others. Ray Toliver

Generalleutnant Adolf Galland flew in the Spanish Civil War and commanded JG26 - фото 47

Generalleutnant Adolf Galland flew in the Spanish Civil War and commanded JG-26 before becoming General of the Fighters. He scored 104 victories, the last 7 scored in the Me 262. Galland finished the war with the Knight’s Cross, Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds, and he has the distinction of being the highest-ranking combat squadron leader in history, as a three-star general by the age of thirty-three. Ray Toliver

Hauptmann later Major GeorgPeter Eder second from left facing right and - фото 48

Hauptmann (later Major ) Georg-Peter Eder (second from left, facing right) and Major Erich Rudorffer (far right) in discussion on Rudorffer’s transfer to the Western Front. After Nowotny’s death, Eder temporarily became kommodore until Johannes Steinhoff took over; Steinhoff was replaced by Weissenberger. Rudorffer would later become kommandeur of I/JG-7 on January 14, 1945. Ray Toliver

Adolf Galland at Lechfeld during the time of his test flight He was - фото 49

Adolf Galland at Lechfeld during the time of his test flight. He was accompanied by all of the engineers, senior military officers, and even Adolf Hitler and Prof. Willi Messerschmitt in July 1943. Ray Toliver

The vaunted Me 262 in full profile as a clean straight fighter version. Ray Toliver.

The Me 262 in the bombcarrying configuration Every pilot dreaded the idea of - фото 51

The Me 262 in the bomb-carrying configuration. Every pilot dreaded the idea of carrying external ordinance, as the increased drag made the jet more vulnerable to air attack. Ray Toliver

Oberleutnant Rudolf Rademacher shot down ninetyseven aircraft with JG54 and - фото 52

Oberleutnant Rudolf Rademacher shot down ninety-seven aircraft with JG-54 and JG-7, with his last sixteen kills in the Me 262. He received the Knight’s Cross and survived the war. Ray Toliver

Major Wolfgang Bombo Schenck received the Knights Cross with Oak Leaves as a - фото 53

Major Wolfgang “Bombo” Schenck received the Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves as a fighter-bomber and ground attack pilot, the most dangerous duty. He led Kommando Schenck to prove the Me 262 bomber concept and even admitted that the Arado Ar 234 was a better aircraft for bombing. Wolfgang Schenck

Heinz Bär left of center seated apparently dressing down Eduard Schallmoser - фото 54

Heinz Bär (left of center, seated) apparently dressing down Eduard Schallmoser for ramming another enemy and losing the fighter. This may have been the day after he returned following his landing in his mother’s garden. The pilot standing to the far left is more than likely Johannes Steinhoff. Ray Toliver

Steinhoffs Me 262 The heat was so intense it melted the fuselage and due to - фото 55

Steinhoff’s Me 262. The heat was so intense it melted the fuselage, and due to explosions of the fuel, rockets, and 30mm ammunition, parts of the jet were found a half mile away. Ray Toliver

This second photo of the Steinhoff crash shows one of the Jumo 004 engines - фото 56

This second photo of the Steinhoff crash shows one of the Jumo 004 engines, dismounted due to the explosion that ripped the wing off. Ray Toliver

Late February 1945 during the forming stage of JV44 the first ten pilots have - фото 57

Late February 1945 during the forming stage of JV-44, the first ten pilots have a meal. Steinhoff is fourth from right, wearing a cap. JV-44, like most jet units, was even looser with regard to regulations and military formality. Junior enlisted men and officers ate together, without much distinction. “Saluting even became a rarity,” according to Steinhoff. Ray Toliver

Major Wolfgang Späte scored ninetynine confirmed victories with JG54 JG400 - фото 58

Major Wolfgang Späte scored ninety-nine confirmed victories with JG-54, JG-400, JG-7, and JV-44, with five kills in the jet. He was also the founding commander of JG-400 using the Me-163B Komet rocket fighter. He later flew with JG-7 and JV-44 with the Knight Cross and Oak Leaves for distinguished service. Wolfgang Späte

Prof Ing Willi Messerschmitt the genius behind some of historys finest - фото 59

Prof. Ing. Willi Messerschmitt, the genius behind some of history’s finest aircraft. Ray Toliver

Perhaps the greatest test pilot on either side of the war Fritz Wendel - фото 60

Perhaps the greatest test pilot on either side of the war, Fritz Wendel standing next to the Me 262 “tail dragger” that started the entire jet revolution. Jeffrey L. Ethell

The radarguided twoseater version of the Me 262 operated by NJG11 and - фото 61

The radar-guided two-seater version of the Me 262 operated by NJG-11 and Kommando Welter . Ray Toliver

Oberfeldwebel Hermann Buchner started the war as a fighter and later was a - фото 62

Oberfeldwebel Hermann Buchner started the war as a fighter and later was a ground attack pilot with JG-2 and SG-2, flying into history scoring fifty-eight kills, of which twelve were scored flying the Me 262. He finished the war wearing the Knight’s Cross. Hermann Buchner

Oberleutnant Kurt Welter perhaps the highestscoring jet pilot of the war and - фото 63

Oberleutnant Kurt Welter, perhaps the highest-scoring jet pilot of the war (and in history), with most of his kills flying single-seat day fighters, including the Me 262. He flew with JG-300, the Wilde Sau , and later formed his unit of night fighters. Welter scored sixty-three kills, with at least twenty in the Me 262 single seater. He was the lowest-ranking officer ever authorized to form and command a fighter unit. Ray Toliver

Major Wilhelm Herget was an oldtimer ZG76 NJG3 JG7 and JV44 scoring - фото 64

Major Wilhelm Herget was an old-timer ZG-76, NJG-3, JG-7, and JV-44, scoring seventy-three victories, fifty-eight as a night fighter, finishing the war flying jets. He received the Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves. Ray Toliver

Oberst Hajo Herrmann was already a legend as a Spanish Civil War and World War - фото 65

Oberst Hajo Herrmann was already a legend as a Spanish Civil War and World War II bomber pilot when he became a night fighter, creating the Wilde Sau in July 1944. He spent a decade in the Soviet gulags and became a successful attorney following his repatriation. He was awarded the Knight’s Cross, Oak Leaves and Swords. Hajo Herrmann

Captain Urban L Ben Drew following his two Me 262 kills He received the Air - фото 66

Captain Urban L. “Ben” Drew following his two Me 262 kills. He received the Air Force Cross and ace status four decades later, thanks to Georg-Peter Eder. The two became close friends until Eder’s death from cancer in 1986. Ray Toliver

Group Capt J B Wray who was an established killer of Me 262s flying the - фото 67

Group Capt. J. B. Wray, who was an established killer of Me 262s flying the Hawker Tempest. Ray Toliver

General Benjamin O Davis the founding commander of the 99th Pursuit Squadron - фото 68

General Benjamin O. Davis, the founding commander of the 99th Pursuit Squadron and later the 332nd Fighter Group, better known as the Tuskegee Airmen. Benjamin O. Davis

Major Donald Bochkay commanding officer of the 363rd Fighter Squadron 357th - фото 69

Major Donald Bochkay, commanding officer of the 363rd Fighter Squadron, 357th Fighter Group, during the period of his jet encounters and two jet kills on February 9 and April 18, 1945. Ray Toliver

Joe Peterburs as a P51 fighter pilot His greatest day was when he shot down - фото 70

Joe Peterburs as a P-51 fighter pilot. His greatest day was when he shot down one of Germany’s premier aces and jet pilots, Walter Schuck. Peterburs and Schuck became friends following a meeting organized by Kurt Schulze. Joe Peterburs

First Lieutenant later Colonel Edward R Buddy Haydon of the 357th Fighter - фото 71

First Lieutenant (later Colonel) Edward R. “ Buddy” Haydon of the 357th Fighter Group, who shared the kill of Walter Nowotny on November 8, 1944, with Capt. Ernest Fiebelkorn of the 20th Fighter Group. Edward R. Haydon

Hauptmann later Major Walter Nowotny receiving the Diamonds to his Knights - фото 72

Hauptmann (later Major ) Walter Nowotny receiving the Diamonds to his Knight’s Cross, Oak Leaves and Swords from Adolf Hitler in 1943. Rudolf Nowotny

Me 262 in the Air Museum in Chino, California. Norman Melton

Adolf Galland welcoming the new recruits into JV44 while shaking Krupinskis - фото 74

Adolf Galland welcoming the new recruits into JV-44 while shaking Krupinski’s hand. Oberst Hannes Trautloft is behind Galland’s left. Adolf Galland

Galland during one of his meetings with Hitler following his receiving the - фото 75

Galland during one of his meetings with Hitler following his receiving the Diamonds in 1942. Adolf Galland

Major Erich Hartmann a recipient of the Diamonds was the worlds - фото 76

Major Erich Hartmann, a recipient of the Diamonds, was the world’s highest-scoring fighter ace. By the end of the war he had shot down 352 aircraft. He test flew and qualified in the Me 262, but decided not to join JG-7. His return to his unit JG-52 was a decision that would see him spend ten and a half years in Soviet captivity. Erich Hartmann

Oberst Hajo Herrmann was a bomber pilot in the Spanish Civil War and in World - фото 77

Oberst Hajo Herrmann was a bomber pilot in the Spanish Civil War and in World War II until June 1943. He created JG-300, the Wild Boar night fighters, and ended the war with the Knight’s Cross, Oak Leaves and Swords. He would join Hartmann and many thousands of others in the gulag system. Hajo Herrmann

Leutnant Jorg Czypionka spent most of the war as an instructor pilot before - фото 78

Leutnant Jorg Czypionka spent most of the war as an instructor pilot before joining Kurt Welter in Kommando Welter /10./NJG-11. He was one of the few Me 262 night fighter pilots to shoot down an RAF Mosquito bomber, which was the most elusive aircraft in the Allied inventory. Jorg Czypionka

Unteroffizier Eduard Schallmoser with his mother after he parachuted out of his - фото 79

Unteroffizier Eduard Schallmoser with his mother after he parachuted out of his damaged Me 262 and landed in her garden, becoming tangled in the clothesline behind them. Although recruited into JV-44 by Steinhoff due to his natural abilities as a fighter pilot, he lost more jets than any other member of the unit by ramming enemy aircraft, earning him the nickname “Rammer.” Ray Toliver

Major Erich Hohagen flew with JG51 JG2 and JG7 and finished flying jets - фото 80

Major Erich Hohagen flew with JG-51, JG-2, and JG-7 and finished flying jets with JV-44. He earned the Knight’s Cross and scored fifty-six victories, of which thirteen were four-engine bombers. After Steinhoff’s crash he took over as the unit’s operations chief. Hohagen returned to the military and became a Brigadegeneral in the postwar air force. Erich Hohagen

Oberfeldwebel Helmut Baudach flew jets with Kommando Nowotny and later JG7 - фото 81

Oberfeldwebel Helmut Baudach flew jets with Kommando Nowotny and later JG-7, and scored twenty-one victories, including four four-engine bombers and five victories scored in the jet. He bailed out of his Me 262 (WNr. 110 781), striking his head against the vertical tail section, and died of the injury later the same day on February 22, 1945, while flying. Ray Toliver

BIBLIOGRAPHY