Search - German Night Flyers on DVD

Misnamed, but good video.

JAG 2.0 | IN United States | 06/02/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This video is actually "Zerstorers" (Destroyers) so it encompasses more than just night fighters of WWII Germany.

This is an excellent DVD on the ME110 and other aircraft Germany created during WWII that fit the "Destroyer" classification. The video does a fairly good job of explaining the origins of the type. The Zerstorers were designed to serve as escort fighters for the Luftwaffe's bombers. Since this required long-range, the fighters were almost as large as the bombers and having two engines to accomodate the required fuel.

It turned out to be a misguided solution to the problem because the Zerstorers were too big and not maneuverable enough to 'mix it' with smaller, defending fighters.

But, they were not without worth. They could serve as fighters in Russia where their disadvatages were less pronounced, as ground-attack weapons and also as night fighters that had enough room and carrying capacity to mount airborne radar and other passive systems that came into use throughout the war.

The video concentrates on the ME110 but does not ignore the ME210/410, the JU88 (in night fighting role), and others that player much smaller parts in the German war effort.

The video does a very creditable job of covering the specifics of night-fighting against RAF Bomber Command as well as daylight attacks on USAAF bomber formations where the Zerstorer played a smaller part in Germany's defense.

The combat footage is excellent! Usually, combat footage of German aircraft is restricted to their aircraft being blasted out of the sky by allied fighters. This video has very good and enlightening footage from 'the other side of the hill'. We see an ME110 stalking and shooting down an Ilyushin Sturmovik (you can also tell how much punishment the Sturmovik could take!) as well as British ground targets being strafed in North Africa.

This is an excellent video in an excellent series and I do recommend it!"