World War II Database

1.  Bill says:
15 Jun 2010 10:07:17 AM

Messerschmitt Bf-110 could be from anyGruppe of ZG/76, Luftflotte 3, France 1940This unit was known as the "Haifisch Gruppe" (Sharkmouth) However, many other Luftwaffe units during World War II also used theSharkmouth marking. Thats my guess, as I haveno codes to go on, from the aircraft in thephoto.ZG/76 "Sonderkommando(Special Force)Junck", based at Mosul, Iraq, May 1941. The aircraft carried Iraqi marking, but flown were by German crews.The Italians and Germans supported the Iraqisagainst the British from April 18th, toMay 30th 1941. The British defeated the IraqiMilitary, German and Italian forces withdrew.

2.  Bill says:
30 Aug 2010 07:42:48 AM

Messerschmitt Bf 110C of II./ZG 76 early models were armed with 4x7.92mm machine gunsin the upper nose, and 2x20mm cannons in the lower part.This concentration of forward firing weapons was foridable, but the 110 had only one 7.92 machine gun to defend the rear.During the Battle of Britain, it was foundthat the 110 was an easy target for RAF fighters. The Bf 110's were to protect thebombers it got to the point, where the Bf 109's had to protect both the 110's and the bombers!The Luftwaffe lost a total of 223 Bf 110'sstarting out with 237.In one day alone 30 Bf 110's were lost, andduring the month of August 114.

3.  Bill says:
2 Sep 2010 04:48:09 PM

Luftwaffe vs. the Swiss June 1940 Combat between Germany and Switzerland started, the Swiss maintainedneutrally, the Germans wanted to take a short cut to bomb France. A Swiss observation plane, an antiquatedbiplane was attacked over the Jura Mountainsby Bf 110's and shot down both swiss crewmenwere killed. Later the same day, 15 Swiss Bf 109's went upto intercept a formation of He 111 bombersescorted by 6 Bf 110's.After the dogfight, 6 He 111's and 5 Bf 110'swere shot down the Swiss lost 1 Bf 109. The Germans should have started to think, ifthe Swiss could shoot down the twin-enginedBf 110's, with Bf 109 fighters, what chancewould they have against the RAF? time wouldtell. The Bf 110 had good forward firepower if anenemy fighter got in front of it, butagainst high performance single engine fighters, it would be an easy kill. During the Battle of Britain the Luftwaffe would suffer losses in aircraft and trainedaircrew.