Messerschmitt Bf/Me-110 Fighter

The Messerschmitt Bf/Me-110 first flew in May 1936 as a twin engine long range strategic fighter. Although effective as an air superiority fighter during the Polish, Scandinavian and French Campaigns of 1939-1940; the Me-110's effectiveness stemmed more from a lack of modern competition than the Me-110's own technical capabilities. The Battle of Britain represented a painful reckoning for the Me-110; when modern single engine Royal Air Force Hurricane and Spitfire fighters regularly outmaneuvered the relatively unwieldy Me-110, and shot it down with a stunning frequency that far outweighed British losses.

In spite of the Me-110s early obsolescence as a day air superiority fighter, the aircraft soldiered on throughout the Second World War. In particular, the Me-110 served as a highly effective night fighter and also saw extensive duty as a ground attack fighter-bomber. One reason for the Me-110's effectiveness as a night fighter and ground attack aircraft was its ability to carry a heavy and wide range of armament. In the night fighter role the Me-110 wielded a devastating combination of heavy machine guns and cannon that frequently included a battery of 20mm cannon mounted behind the rear cockpit; cannon designed to rip apart Allied bombers as the fighter flew underneath. The Me-110 was flown throughout the War and over 6,000 Me-110 fighters were built by the Third Reich.


Picture Courtesy of Deutsches Bundesarchiv (German Federal Archive), Bild 101I-382-0211-011