Figure 1.-- |
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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. [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 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 one of the new weapon system given priority. One of these was jet propulsion. The delay in the production of jet aircraft cost the Germans dearly. The ME-262 did not appear on the battlefield until the air war was already lost. An author writes, "By late 1944, the air war over Eurioe was fast becoming a race to see if american strategic bombers and piston-engine fighters in abundance could overwhelm growing numbers of faster German jet fighters. The outcome of the war -- or at least its prolongation or terminatioin hung in the ballance. It is tellingthat experimental, futurisric German jet fighter prototypes were found with wings using wooden ribs ans skins surmounting steel spars, so acute was Germany's paucity of aluminium late in the war." [Johnsen]
Not only did the Germans develop more powerful jet engines, but they introducedc innovative airframe design.
The Germans were the first to understand the flight benefits of having swept wing designs while the
British and the Americans were still using a straight wing design that would require a much more powerful jet engine to get the same performances such as speed and maneuverability.
The Germans developed more than 50 jet aircraft during World War II. This includes ram jets and mixed-propulsion aircraft. It shows the German interest in high-speed flight. Here ingenuity and technical competence demonstrate the formidable technology that the Germans mustered for the war effort. In this regards in showcases a strength of German war making. It also exposes a weakness of the NAZI war effort, afailure of management. Rather than focuson on a few selected high priority efforts, the NAZIs wasted precious limited resources on a scattered effort to develop aircraft. This was an especially serious failure because the Germans had much more limited resources than the Allies to begin with. As a result, only one of all these projects wasactually deployed in a neaningful way--the Me-262 Swallow. Had the He-162 been introduced in numbers it could have had a significant impact. The Luftwaffe was beginning to activate He-162 squadrons just as the War ended. The Ho-269 flying-wing was the most innovative plane of the War, but only prototypes were built.
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. It was easier to fly than the Me-262. This plane had it been introduced earlier might have had a significant impact 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 helped to slow down and limit production. The Germans had to shift to underground construction. The delays meant that the Germans could not bring the plane on line in time. The idea of using poorly trained Hitler Youth boys was impractical, but it definitely could have been flow by less-skilled pilots than needed for the Me-262. The Luftwaffe did activate a unit with these planes in the last days of the War, but no information survied on actual operations.
The Horten Ho 229 was the most innovative plane of the War. It was also known as the Gotha Go 229 because Gothaer Waggonfabrik did extensive modification of the original Horten brother's design. This prepared the plane for mass production which was vital to make it an effective weapon system. Luftwaffe commander Hermann G�ring issued performance requirements of '3�1000' -- a plane that could carry 1,000 kilograms (2,200 lb) of bombs a distance of 1,000 kilometers. Reimar and Walter Horten came closest to meeting these requiremenrs. The Hortens y came up with a revolutionary flying wing design. Despite the revolutionary design, they mamaged to sell it to G�ring. It became the first flying wing to be powered by jet engines. Only three prototypes were built before the NAZI Germany collpsed.
The Allies were also working on jet planes, both the British and Americans. Neither came close to the progress the Germans made and this was despite the fact that Hitler delayed work on jets. The British developed the Gloster Meteor, but it did not have the range to be used as an escort fighter. It was finally deployed in the last months of the War, but had no impact on the war effort. The Americans were still struggling with their experimental jet. A scientific commission had informed the Army Air Forces that jet planes were impractical. And they wre with existing technology. The American program did not begin until Hap Arnold on a visit to Britain was shown the then still experimental Gloster Meteor. The United States did not deploy jets during the War.
Both the Allies and Soviets captured German sciebtusts, aircraft and technical plans. The Soviets did not have aet plane program during the War and as a esult, the jets they developed after the War closely followed German designs and technology. THe Mig-15 looked very much like one of the German jets. The basic problem they faced was one that digged the Germans during the War--metalurgy. They needed to create the allowys that could hold up in the high temperatures of jet engines. This problem was solved ny Soviet spies who were able to visit British aircraft plants because the post-War Labour Government was trying to improve reltiins with the Soviet Union. The Allies failed to adopt the German swept-wing designs for their first generation jets. The reason is presumably beaurecratic inertia. Administrators andenginners were reluctant to chnge. It took the United States at least 4 more years to come out with a swept wingjet, the F-86 Saber. It arrived just in time to meet the Mig-15 in Korea. The two planes looked very similar, a tribute to German aircraft designers.
Fest, Joachim C. Hitler (Vintage Books: New York, 1974), 844p.
Johnsen, Frederick A. Captured Eagles: Secrets of the Luftwaffe (2014), 304p.
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