Messerschmitt Bf 110 Zerstörer Aces of World War 2

Osprey Aircraft of the Aces #25

by John Weal

This volume is the first of its type to be devoted exclusively to the Zerstörer day fighter aces, spanning the war years from Poland to the defence of the Reich. Although Messerschmitt's single-engined Bf 109 has received most of the plaudits for achieving virtual air superiority over Europe in 1939-40, the exploits of the manufacturer's twin-engined Bf 110, the Ju 88 and the Me 410 Zerstörer in the first year of the war also make for very impressive reading. Indeed, on the eve of World War 2 a posting to a Bf 110 unit was considered to be the best career move available in the Luftwaffe.

Genres: World War II

106 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1999

Reviews

[Daniel Rex · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a uniquely interesting Osprey Monogram in the "Aircraft of the Aces" series as it specifically examines "ace" pilots that flew the Bf 110 twin-engined heavy fighter in the "Zerstorer" or "destroyer" role as a Daytime Bomber-escort long-range fighter aircraft, as it was originally intended. As keen WW2 aviation historians know, the Bf 110 had early success in WW2 but was found wanting in "fighter V fighter" combat against single seat single engine fighters simply because it was slow to turn and accelerate in fast dogfight situations, especially when encountering the Hurricane and Spitfire in the Battle of Britain. The myth was it was a total failure, but in fact, when flown well acting as top cover for the Luftwaffe bombers and maintaining "boom and zoom" energy, it could acquit itself well and a number of Bf 110C pilots became aces in 1939-40. However as explained, losses over Britain in 1940 did result in it being withdrawn from the escort fighter role. The Bf 110 was repurposed as a fighter-bomber, coastal patrol, ground attack-support aircraft and most famously as a night fighter (later radar equipped), but this book focusses on the Luftwaffe pilots who achieved 5 or more aerial victories in the day fighter role, and it quite interesting in that it does partly overturn the myth of the "failure" of the Bf 110 in this role. Ultimately however the "Zerstorer" fighter concept, as an alternative to single-seat single engined day air superiority fighters was flawed, and the ZerstörerGeschwader (ZG) groups of the Luftwaffe were re-purposed mainly as NachtjagdGeschwader (night fighters) and attack aircraft, their last day fighter role was to attempt to intercept US bombers by day, but this was curtailed by the use of the long range P-51B/C/D Mustang as an escort fighter in vast numbers that totally outclassed the Bf 110. A great insight into the changing role of the Messerschmitt Bf 110, but also shows how for quite some time in WW2 into 1941-44 and in various theatres (the Balkans, Mediterranean, North Africa, and the Eastern and Nordic fronts) the Bf 110C/D/E/F models were a partial success.

[Robert Hepple · Rating 4 out of 5]

Published in 1999, 'Messerschmitt Bf 110 Zerstorer Aces of World War 2' is number 25 in the long running and successful 'Aircraft of the Aces' aviation titles from publishers Osprey. The charismatic, but troubled German twin-engined fighter plane the Me 110 is the subject here, and in the hands of a fine aviation writer like John Weal the result is very fine. Night-fighter variants are of course excluded, to be covered in another volume. The book follows the usual format of a well illustrated potted history of operations, together with several pages of colour profile artworks, and two pages of plans to 1/96 scale. A great read from start to finish.