Messerschmitt Bf 110 in action.

[tigre]

Hello to all ; just a little history about this plane.............

The Messerschmitt Bf 110 in action.

Early years of the war.

First blood. Poland - September 1939.

September 1, 1939.

Three groups of heavy fighters (destroyers as the German word for Zerstörer) took part in the Polish Campaign in September 1939, equipped with the Messerschmitt Bf 110 (90-100 machines), they were I. / ZG I (Maj Joachim Huth) deployed in Pomerania, I. (Z) / LG I (Maj Walter Grabmann) deployed in East Prussia and I. / ZG 76 (Hauptmann Günther Reinecke) deployed in Silesia, the I. / ZG 2 despite its name was equipped with the Messerschmitt Bf 109 D.

Since the beginning of hostilities the challenger to overcome was the Polish fighter type PZL 11c equipped with a 600 PS engine that allowed it to develop a speed of 400 k / h.

On the afternoon of September 1, 1939 saw the first air combat between the Messerschmitt Bf 110 C of I. (Z) / LG I commanded by Hauptmann Schleif, whose planes were equipped with the new DB-601 B1 engine with 1100 PS that allowed it to develop a good speed of 540 k / h. In this struggle the Bf 110 shot down six Polish planes without a loss, Hauptmann Schlief downed three opponents.

It is right to say that this group had made a sortie during the morning and confronted the PZL 7 knocking two, but in the struggle was injured its Commander Maj. Grabmann.

Sources: Messerschmitt Bf 110. Die Rehabilitierung eines Flugzeuges. Michael Ziefle.
Messerschmitt Bf 110 Zerstörer Aces of World war 2. John Weal.
Schlag auf Schlag. Die Deutsche Luftwaffe in Polen. Wehrmacht Presse Verlag.
Fotoalbum Luftwaffe Me Bf 110 Staffelabzeichen Polen bei eBay_de 1918-1945 (endet 27_12_09 144556 MEZ).
http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/gladiator_norway.htm
http://www.asisbiz.com/il2/Bf-110/Messe ... f-110.html

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; just a little history about this plane.............

The Messerschmitt Bf-110 in action.

Early years of the war.

First blood. Poland - September 1939.

On September 2, 1939 again took place a duel between the PZL 11c and the Bf 110, this time belonging to the ZG 76. Here participated the later recognized expert in night hunting, Helmut Lent, who knocked down one hostile aircraft. In return the two squadrons of Messerschmitt Bf 110 suffered three losses. It is recalled that the squadrons (staffeln) of I. / ZG 76 were still equipped with the Bf 110 B-1 carrying a Jumo 210 engine with 730 PS (as Pferdestärke) as far as the plane reached a speed of 455 k / h.

The squadrons of the I. / ZG 1 were also equipped with the B-1 variant with the engine Jumo 210 and this Gruppe lost on this day the Staffelkapitän of the 3. / ZG 1 when Hauptmann v. Frhr Müllenheim was shot down and killed in action after a fight with a PZL 11c on September 2, 1939; he was succeeded by Oberleutnant Walter Ehle.

Sources: Messerschmitt Bf 110. Die Rehabilitierung eines Flugzeuges. Michael Ziefle.
Messerschmitt Bf 110 Zerstörer Aces of World war 2. John Weal.
Schlag auf Schlag. Die Deutsche Luftwaffe in Polen. Wehrmacht Presse Verlag.
Fotoalbum Luftwaffe Me Bf 110 Staffelabzeichen Polen bei eBay_de 1918-1945 (endet 27_12_09 144556 MEZ).
http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/gladiator_norway.htm
http://www.asisbiz.com/il2/Bf-110/Messe ... f-110.html

Cheers. Raúl M .

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The Messerschmitt Bf-110 in action.

Early years of the war.

First blood. Poland - September 1939.

On September 3, 1939 there was a new air combat over the skies of Warsaw in which the I.(Z)/LG 1 was involved; this time the group shot down five opponents against the loss of one own airplane.

On September 6, 1939, the I./ZG 1 lost its second Staffelkapitän when Maj. Hammes of 1./ZG 1 was shot down in one aerial combat against other PZL 11c; he was succeeded by Oberleutnant Martin Lutz. Besides, on this day, five Messerschmitt Bf 110 belonging to the ZG 1, mistakenly shot down one He-111 (the V4+HA) of the KG 1 "Hindenburg" southeast of Rawa.

Sources: Messerschmitt Bf 110. Die Rehabilitierung eines Flugzeuges. Michael Ziefle.
Messerschmitt Bf 110 Zerstorer Aces of World war 2. John Weal.
Schlag auf Schlag. Die Deutsche Luftwaffe in Polen. Wehrmacht Presse Verlag.
Fotoalbum Luftwaffe Me Bf 110 Staffelabzeichen Polen bei eBay_de 1918-1945 (endet 27_12_09 144556 MEZ).
http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/gladiator_norway.htm
http://www.asisbiz.com/il2/Bf-110/Messe ... f-110.html

Cheers. Raúl M .

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Hello to all ; just a little more.............

The Messerschmitt Bf-110 in action.

Early years of the war.

First blood. Poland - September 1939.

In total 54 Polish aircrafts were shot down by Messerschmitt Bf 110, including 29 by the I. (Z) / LG 1, which was the most successful group of destroyers of the campaign. Only seven Bf-110 were lost in dogfights against ten Bf-109. The most successful pilot of Bf-110 in the Polish skies, was Oberleutnant Werner Methfessel of I. (Z) / LG 1 with four kills, followed him with three wins Hauptmann Schleif and Uffz Alfred Warrelmann, also belonging to I. (Z) / LG 1. Since October 1939 this group became the V. (Z) / LG 1.

Oberleutnant Hans Jäger and Leutnant Fritz Fahlbusch of I. / ZG 1 also scored three victories, besides the future experte of the German night fighters, Oberleutnant Wolfgang Falck. The I. / ZG 76 shot down a total of 19 enemy aircrafts.

The I. / ZG 1 had six kills including two done by the subsequently successful night fighter, Oberleutnant Walter Ehle, Staffelkapitän of 3. / ZG 1.

The commander of I. / ZG 76, Hauptmann Günther Reinecke, who is seen in the photo below shot down a Polish PZL 11 c.

Sources: Messerschmitt Bf 110. Die Rehabilitierung eines flugzeuges. Michael Ziefle.
Messerschmitt Bf 110 Zerstorer Aces of World war 2. John Weal.
Schlad aüf Schlag. Die Deutsche Luftwaffe in Polen. Wehrmacht Presse verlages.
Fotoalbum Luftwaffe Me Bf 110 Staffelabzeichen Polen bei eBay_de 1918-1945 (endet 27_12_09 144556 MEZ).
http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/gladiator_norway.htm
http://www.asisbiz.com/il2/Bf-110/Messe ... f-110.html

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; just a little history about this plane.............

The Messerschmitt Bf-110 in action.

Early years of the war.

German Bay.

Between 16 and December 17, 1939, those veterans of the Polish campaign belonging to the I. / ZG 76 of Hauptmann Reinecke arrived at Jever, his arrival could not be more timely. On December 18, 1939 dawned clear and with good weather, the same day the Bomber Command dispatched a raiding force of 24 wellingtons against the German coast of the North Sea and the target was Wilhelmshaven.

The crews of I. / ZG 76 spent the morning doing patrols to become familiar with their new theater. Communication problems between the radar stations and aerodromes, together with the incredulity of some commanders, cleared the way for the Wellingtons that reached the target. Already on it, they were greeted by anti-aircraft weapons from ships and ground defenses.

Only when the British bombers flew back divided into two columns, one parallel at 15 kilometers to the coast and the other at 40 kilometers offshore, were intercepted by the Bf 109 of Kommodore Schumacher.

Sources: Messerschmitt Bf 110. Die Rehabilitierung eines Flugzeuges. Michael Ziefle.
Messerschmitt Bf 110 ZerstÖrer Aces of World war 2. John Weal.
Schlag auf Schlag. Die Deutsche Luftwaffe in Polen. Wehrmacht Presse Verlag.
Fotoalbum Luftwaffe Me Bf 110 Staffelabzeichen Polen bei eBay_de 1918-1945 (endet 27_12_09 144556 MEZ).
http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/gladiator_norway.htm
http://www.asisbiz.com/il2/Bf-110/Messe ... f-110.html

¡Feliz Navidad - Feliz Natal - Frohe Weihnachten - Joyeux Noël - Merry Christmas - Wesołych Świąt!.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; just a little history about this plane.............

The Messerschmitt Bf-110 in action.

Early years of the war.

German Bay.

The first Messerschmitt Bf 110 to join the action was the one of Wolfgang Falck, Staffelkapitän of the 2. / ZG 76 with his numeral Uffz Fresia. Falck claimed two bombers but in turn was hit by defensive fire and with one engine stopped and the other failing had to make an emergency landing on the island of Wangerooge. Heinz Fresia also shot down two Wellingtons.

Other pilots were caught on the ground that was the case of Helmut Lent, who after being refueled took off to join the hunt. Helmut Lent returned to Jever convinced that he achieved a triple shooting down but the 38 claims made by the German pilots (Bf-109 and Bf-110) a third were eventually dropped by the Luftwaffe commanders including three of I. / ZG 76 (the second of Falck, one of Lent and the one claimed by Gordon Gollob). Actual losses reported by the Bomber Command were 11 lost and 6 others severely damaged that crashed or were destroyed on landing at their bases.

On January 2, 1940 the Bomber Command ordered a raid conducted by 17 Welligntons, on this occasion three enemy planes were intercepted by a Schwarm (four planes) of I. / ZG 76 and only a bomber returned home.

Sources: Messerschmitt Bf 110. Die Rehabilitierung eines Flugzeuges. Michael Ziefle.
Messerschmitt Bf 110 Zerstörer Aces of World war 2. John Weal.
Schlag auf Schlag. Die Deutsche Luftwaffe in Polen. Wehrmacht Presse Verlag.
Fotoalbum Luftwaffe Me Bf 110 Staffelabzeichen Polen bei eBay_de 1918-1945 (endet 27_12_09 144556 MEZ).
http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/gladiator_norway.htm
http://www.asisbiz.com/il2/Bf-110/Messe ... f-110.html

¡Feliz Navidad - Feliz Natal - Frohe Weihnachten - Joyeux Noël - Merry Christmas - Wesołych Świąt!.

Cheers. Raúl M .

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The Messerschmitt Bf 110 in action.

Early years of the war.

Scandinavia.

In the new Wehrmacht’s campaign under the organic of the X. Fliegerkorps (Hamburg), two groups of fighter Messerschmitt Bf 110 were involved:

The I. / ZG 76 of Hauptmann Günther Reinecke (Bf 110C)
The I. / ZG 1 of Hauptmann Wolfgang Falck. (Bf 110C)

Both units have well-defined tasks and while the ZG 1 was to occupy the airfields of Denmark to extend the safety arch around Germany and secure air corridor to Norway, The ZG 76 would deal with the fighting in Norway.

Denmark.

The I. / ZG 1 took off on April 9, 1940 at 07:00 hours from Barth to escort the bombers of KG 4 in a show of force over several cities in Denmark, including the capital Copenhagen. From Værløse took off a Fokker D. XXI but was shot down immediately by Wolfgang Falck, the rest of the Fokker D. XXI scattered at the airfield were gunned down on the ground.

The most memorable act of the I. / ZG 1 was the occupation of Aalborg by Oberleutnant Victor Mölders (Werner's brother). After landing at the airfield of Aalborg, the Staffelkapitän of the 1. / ZG 1, Oberleutnant Martin Lutz ordered Victor Mölders to march to the city and secure accommodation for the crews. When Mölders asked how he would go to the town, Lutz took his arm and pointing to the perimeter fence said: beyond it you'll find a road, go there and get any vehicle which pass along it. Mölders did it, reaching Aalborg where he was driven to the most luxurious hotel in the city by his bound chauffeur.

Sources: Messerschmitt Bf 110. Die Rehabilitierung eines Flugzeuges. Michael Ziefle.
Messerschmitt Bf 110 Zerstorer Aces of World war 2. John Weal.
Schlag auf Schlag. Die Deutsche Luftwaffe in Polen. Wehrmacht Presse Verlag.
Fotoalbum Luftwaffe Me Bf 110 Staffelabzeichen Polen bei eBay_de 1918-1945 (endet 27_12_09 144556 MEZ).
http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/gladiator_norway.htm
http://www.asisbiz.com/il2/Bf-110/Messe ... f-110.html

¡Feliz Año Nuevo - Happy New Year -Felice Anno Nuovo - Gutes neues Jahr - Feliz Ano Novo - Bonne Année - Szczęśliwego nowego roku!.

Cheers. Raúl M .

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The Messerschmitt Bf 110 in action.

Early years of the war.

Scandinavia.

Norway. Oslo Fornebu.

On April 9, 1940 at Weser’s Time (Weserzeit) Oberstleutnant Drewes was flying at the head of the first wave of Ju-52 (II. / KG zbV 1), aboard the 29 machines were the paratroopers of Hauptmann Walther (I. / FJR 1). However, near Oslo Fjord the weather worsened and two of the Ju-52 were lost, the wave came back to Aalborg.

Twenty minutes later, followed behind the second wave (KG zbV 103) to Oslo-Fornebu, carrying the II. / IR 324. This wave also received the countermand of the Chief of Transport Group, but it was rejected by Hauptmann Wagner. As escort for this flight, were flying 8 Bf - 110 of I. / ZG 76 led by Oberlutnant Hansen which were attacked at 08:38 hours by 7 Norwegians fighters Gloster Gladiator. In the short dogfight that ensued, two Bf - 110 were lost, but at 08:48 hours the remaining six German planes flew over Fornebu; once there they strafed anti-aircraft positions and machine-gun nests, setting on fire two Gloster Gladiator in the taxiway.

Sources: Messerschmitt Bf 110. Die Rehabilitierung eines Flugzeuges. Michael Ziefle.
Messerschmitt Bf 110 Zerstorer Aces of World war 2. John Weal.
Schlag auf Schlag. Die Deutsche Luftwaffe in Polen. Wehrmacht Presse Verlag.
Fotoalbum Luftwaffe Me Bf 110 Staffelabzeichen Polen bei eBay_de 1918-1945 (endet 27_12_09 144556 MEZ).
http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/gladiator_norway.htm
http://www.asisbiz.com/il2/Bf-110/Messe ... f-110.html

Cheers. Raúl M .

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The Messerschmitt Bf 110 in action.

Early years of the war.

Scandinavia.

Dogfights over Oslo-Fornebu.

At dawn on April 9, 1940, Javingen had 7 of 10 Gladiators (they were the 413, 419, 421, 425, 427, 429 and 433) in service and 10 pilots (officers and sergeants) for its crews, three of them in training period.

At 05:00 hours two Gladiators (2nd Lieutenant Thorsager and Lieutenant Braathen) took off to investigate the sound of aircraft engines; Thorsager saw a plane with twin rudders which he identified as Do-17 (probably it was a Bf-110) but disappeared into the clouds and Braathen saw another large aircraft but could not reach him. Both pilots returned to Fornebu.

At 06:00 hours three Gladiators took off but did not find anything and returned 50 minutes later. At 07:00 hours 5 Gladiators took off in response to reports that announced large formations of aircraft on approach. They certainly were the Ju-52 of the II / KGzbV 1, followed by those of the KGrzbV 103. Meanwhile, two others Gladiator had taken off and Lieutenant Tradin shot at a German plane hitting the starboard wing and the engine, the Ju-52 crashed perishing Fw Albert Meier, his crew and 12 paratroopers of the 2. / FJR 1.

Lieutenant Krohn shot down one Bf -110 and Sergeant Waaler claimed a second "Do-17" but was not confirmed, however minutes later he was attacked by the Bf -110 of Uffz Müstcherle and suffered damage which forced it to land; already in the ground his plane was destroyed by the fire of Bf -110 of Oberleutnant Werner Hansen. The Uffz Müstcherle (Gef. Karl Lorey as gunner) was pursued and shot down by Sergeant Schye, who in turn was chased by three Bf -110, he managed to evade two but the third (Leutnant Lent) got him down.

Sources: Messerschmitt Bf 110. Die Rehabilitierung eines Flugzeuges. Michael Ziefle.
Messerschmitt Bf 110 Zerstorer Aces of World war 2. John Weal.
Schlag auf Schlag. Die Deutsche Luftwaffe in Polen. Wehrmacht Presse Verlag.
Fotoalbum Luftwaffe Me Bf 110 Staffelabzeichen Polen bei eBay_de 1918-1945 (endet 27_12_09 144556 MEZ).
http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/gladiator_norway.htm
http://www.asisbiz.com/il2/Bf-110/Messe ... f-110.html

Cheers. Raúl M .

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Hello to all ; more follows.............

The Messerschmitt Bf 110 in action.

Early years of the war.

Scandinavia.

Oslo-Fornebu.

At 08:50 hours, the paratroopers had not yet arrived. Finally at 09:05 hours the first kette of Ju-52 reached the airfield and when attempting to land there, the first aircraft came under heavy defensive fire (Hauptmann Wagner and other soldiers were killed) and had to escape. Three of the Bf-110 already flew with a single engine due to lack of fuel, hence Hansen ordered Leutnant Lent to land. But with only one engine, the Fornebu’s airstrip was too short and the Lent’s plane crashed at the end of it.

When Hansen was attempting the landing, for his despair, he saw that another plane, a Ju-52, touched ground on the second airstrip blocking it. However in spite of this, five Bf-110 could land safely and were gathered in the northern sector of the airstrip; there the planes fanned out to repel any counterattack with their Machineguns. At 09:17 hours began to arrive other Ju-52 from KG zbV 103. Also arrived there the the Transport Ju-52 of I.Group ZG 76 under command of Hauptmann Flakowski with the mechanics, spare parts and ammunition. So in short, the airfield in the Norway’s capital was taken by a handful of soldiers from the II. / IR 324 and the crews of the 1. / ZG 76.

Sources: Messerschmitt Bf 110. Die Rehabilitierung eines Flugzeuges. Michael Ziefle.
Messerschmitt Bf 110 Zerstorer Aces of World war 2. John Weal.
Schlag auf Schlag. Die Deutsche Luftwaffe in Polen. Wehrmacht Presse Verlag.
Fotoalbum Luftwaffe Me Bf 110 Staffelabzeichen Polen bei eBay_de 1918-1945 (endet 27_12_09 144556 MEZ).
http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/gladiator_norway.htm
http://www.asisbiz.com/il2/Bf-110/Messe ... f-110.html

Cheers. Raúl M .

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The Messerschmitt Bf 110 in action.

Early years of the war.

Scandinavia.

Norway. Stavanger - Sola.

Towards this aerodrome were directed 12 Ju-52, of the 7. / KG zbV 1 under command of Hauptmann Capito carrying aboard the troops of 3. / FJR 1 of Oberleutnant Fhr.v. Brandis. To protect the formation flew the Bf-110 of 3. / ZG 76 under Oberleutnant Gollob. At 09:20 hours the paratroopers jumped from 120 meters high and then secured the airfield for the arrival of the Ju-52 transport.

On April 11, 1940 the whole I. / ZG 76 was gathered in Stavanger in order to support and to protect the advance of German forces to the north.

On April 30, 1940 the group suffered heavy casualties when during a dogfight with British bombers were shot down and killed the commander Hauptmann Günther Reinecke with his radio operator, also were knocked down two experienced pilots of 3. / ZG 76, Leutnant Helmut Fahlbusch (6 victories) and the Ofw Georg Fleischmann (5 victories). Werner Hansen temporarily assumed command until the arrival of Hauptmann Werner Restemeyer on May 11, 1940.

The Messerschmitt Bf 110 pilots more successful in this campaign were Leutnant Helmut Lent with four victories, Ofw Leo Schuhmacher four, Oberleutnant Gordon Gollob two and Ofw Herbert Schöb two.

Sources: Messerschmitt Bf 110. Die Rehabilitierung eines Flugzeuges. Michael Ziefle.
Messerschmitt Bf 110 Zerstorer Aces of World war 2. John Weal.
Schlag auf Schlag. Die Deutsche Luftwaffe in Polen. Wehrmacht Presse Verlag.
Fotoalbum Luftwaffe Me Bf 110 Staffelabzeichen Polen bei eBay_de 1918-1945 (endet 27_12_09 144556 MEZ).
http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/gladiator_norway.htm
http://www.asisbiz.com/il2/Bf-110/Messe ... f-110.html

Cheers. Raúl M .

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The Messerschmitt Bf 110 in action.

Early years of the war.

Case Yellow - Fall Gelb. Special operations in the Netherlands.

On May 10, 1940 began operations in the Western Theater with the invasion of hitherto neutral Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. During five days of operations against Netherlands, the Luftwaffe suffered harsh losses particularly in the transport groups due to the Dutch anti-aircraft artillery.

Here the opponents of the Bf-110 were the fighter Fokker D. XXI and twin-engine fighter, the Fokker G-1, the latter had two Mercury engines of 830 PS which provided a top speed of 475 km / h, also was armed with a battery of 8 7.9 mm machine guns. During the actions over Holland were shot down 9 Bf-109 and 4 Bf-110 by fighters Fokker D. XXI and 2 Bf-109 by fighters Fokker G-1, also 3 Bf-109 and 1 Bf-110 were shot down by British and French planes.

On this first day there was an air battle between British aircraft Blenheim MK IF (410 km / h) and a squadron of Bf-110 C-4 of the I. / ZG 1 escorting some bombers He-111. As a result 5 Blenheim were shot down without loss to the Germans.

On May 11, 1940 French planes came to the aid of the Netherlands and OFw Fritz Stahl shot down two planes Potez 63 with his Bf-110 during a dogfight. The Potez 63 was also a twin-engine plane which had a top speed of 425 km / h and was armed with three 7.5-mm machine guns.

In air operations over the Netherlands were engaged the I. and II. / ZG 1, highlighting here Leutnant Richard Marchfelder with three wins (2 Fokker D. XXI and 1 Spitfire) and Leutnant Wolfgang Schenck with two wins (Fokker D. XXI).

Sources: Messerschmitt Bf 110. Die Rehabilitierung eines Flugzeuges. Michael Ziefle.
Messerschmitt Bf 110 Zerstorer Aces of World war 2. John Weal.
Schlag auf Schlag. Die Deutsche Luftwaffe in Polen. Wehrmacht Presse Verlag.
Fotoalbum Luftwaffe Me Bf 110 Staffelabzeichen Polen bei eBay_de 1918-1945 (endet 27_12_09 144556 MEZ).
http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/gladiator_norway.htm
http://www.asisbiz.com/il2/Bf-110/Messe ... f-110.html

Cheers. Raúl M .

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The Messerschmitt Bf 110 in action.

Early years of the war.

Case Yellow - Fall Gelb. Operations in Belgium and France.

On May 11, 1940 there was a dogfight between Hurricanes from Sqn 92 and Bf -110 of the I. / ZG 2 after which the British claimed nothing more and nothing less that they had shot down 25 German aircraft, more planes than the whole group. Air losses that day amounted to two Bf -110 of I. / ZG 2 and three of the ZG 1. Also in this day and while escorting a formation of bombers, the fighters of the II. / ZG 26 shot down five French aircrafts considering Moranne 406 and Hawk 75 as well.

On May 12, 1940 during an action against Belgium, the III. / ZG 26 downed seven French fighters considering Moranne 406 and Hawk 75 as well, without suffering any casualties.

On May 15, 1940, the same british unit which had reported the 25 victories, claimed now another 16 Bf -110. Actually that very day there was a dogfight between that squadron and the 6. / ZG 76, being shot down 2 German Bf -110. Meanwhile, the III. / ZG 26 of Major Schalk had claimed to have shot down nine French fighters against the loss of two of its own aircraft, but only three victories were confirmed at last.

Sources: Messerschmitt Bf 110. Die Rehabilitierung eines Flugzeuges. Michael Ziefle.
Messerschmitt Bf 110 Zerstorer Aces of World war 2. John Weal.
Schlag auf Schlag. Die Deutsche Luftwaffe in Polen. Wehrmacht Presse Verlag.
Fotoalbum Luftwaffe Me Bf 110 Staffelabzeichen Polen bei eBay_de 1918-1945 (endet 27_12_09 144556 MEZ).
http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/gladiator_norway.htm
http://www.asisbiz.com/il2/Bf-110/Messe ... f-110.html

Cheers. Raúl M .

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The Messerschmitt Bf 110 in action.

Early years of the war.

Case Yellow - Fall Gelb. Operations in Belgium and France.

On May 17, 1940 at 09:45 hours had taken off nine Bf-110 belonging to the II. / ZG 76 under command of Hauptmann Groth carrying out an escort mission with a formation of bombers He-111 which had as target a railway junction on the Albert Canal. At 11:45 hours the Germans fighters met about 25 to 30 Hawk and Morane French fighter as a result of the dogfight 7 hostile planes were shot down. Hauptmann Groth downed 2 Hawk 75, Fw Anthony 2 Morane, Uffz Jork 2 Hawk 75 and Leutnant Borchers 1 Morane. The heavy fighters did not suffer any losses.

However, that same day near Reims, during an air battle between the 14 (Z). / LG 1 with british fighters Hurricanes, was shot down and killed the Staffelkapitän, Oberleutnant Werner Methfessel, along with his radio-operator; he had been until then one of the Bf-110 pilots most successful with 8 wins. The campaign of the West had claimed another veteran and victorious pilot.

Sources: Messerschmitt Bf 110. Die Rehabilitierung eines Flugzeuges. Michael Ziefle.
Messerschmitt Bf 110 Zerstorer Aces of World war 2. John Weal.
Schlag auf Schlag. Die Deutsche Luftwaffe in Polen. Wehrmacht Presse Verlag.
Fotoalbum Luftwaffe Me Bf 110 Staffelabzeichen Polen bei eBay_de 1918-1945 (endet 27_12_09 144556 MEZ).
http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/gladiator_norway.htm
http://www.asisbiz.com/il2/Bf-110/Messe ... f-110.html

Cheers. Raúl M .

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The Messerschmitt Bf 110 in action.

Early years of the war.

Case Yellow - Fall Gelb. Operations in Belgium and France.

On May 18, 1940 it was another disastrous day with eight losses suffered by the Bf-110, including Maj. Walter Grabmann ZG kommodore of 76, who survived the shootdown. Moreover, the 5. / ZG 76 got six aerial victories against Hurricanes and one Morane.

On May 23, 1940 took place another dogfight between Bf-110 belonging to the II. / ZG 76 and Hurricanes of the Sqn 92. The British suffered three aircraft shooting down and claimed 7 Bf-110, although in reality the heavy fighters had no downed aircrafts but three planes were quite battered.

Sources: Messerschmitt Bf 110. Die Rehabilitierung eines Flugzeuges. Michael Ziefle.
Messerschmitt Bf 110 Zerstorer Aces of World war 2. John Weal.
Schlag auf Schlag. Die Deutsche Luftwaffe in Polen. Wehrmacht Presse Verlag.
Fotoalbum Luftwaffe Me Bf 110 Staffelabzeichen Polen bei eBay_de 1918-1945 (endet 27_12_09 144556 MEZ).
http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/gladiator_norway.htm
http://www.asisbiz.com/il2/Bf-110/Messe ... f-110.html

Cheers. Raúl M .