Die Wehrmacht 1944 Nr 4 Pt 2 - Air Defence - Flak 88 - FW 190 - Me 109 - Goering - 8th Air Force

SUPPORT THE CHANNEL
Patreon.com/Military1945

Die Wehrmacht Ausgabe A
https://filmhauer.net/advanced-search-result.php?keywords=Die+Wehrmacht+Ausgabe+A&search_in_description=1&button=GO

That’s a nice clip from a Europa Woche news reel from July of 1944 which shows German fighters scrambling and immediately engaging an encroaching enemy bomber formation. That fits in with today’s article.

This is the periodical Die Wehrmacht Ausgabe A, from February of 1944. This article covers the organization of German air defences which we’ll take a look at. I’ve integrated rare film footage including training material and part of an American news reel.

When enemy bomber formations approach German airspace the technically advanced air defense control center jumps into action. Fleets of fighters and destroyers take off and are guided by the center to intercept the enemy. These photos show scenes of the control center, where the defense against the Anglo American air attacks are organized. An American newspaper has reported that war losses so far in Europe for the 8th American Air Force have amounted to 6000 airmen, 730 heavy bombers, 20 light bombers and 50 fighters.

You can see this complete 1941 film if you are a Patreon Channel Member. If you are not yet a member please consider becoming one.

www.Patreon.com/Military1945

From the moment an enemy air formation is spotted its location, direction, speed and estimated strength is carefully plotted. During the war about 500,000 German women worked in civil areal defense. That's about 25% more than were nurses.

With confirmation that an enemy formation has flown over the coast, the alarm has been sounded in the control center of a fighter commander and the officers go quickly to their stations. As more information comes in the command boards blink indicating the location of the enemy. Telephone calls and radio reports from the network of outposts provide ever more more information to the command station. Everyone concentrates intently, trying to comprehend the situation.

Information is relayed to the fighter squadrons to lead them to the enemy planes. In this example at 19.52 hours the enemy formation has crossed over into German airspace. All German night fighters immediately either take off or are prepared to take off at a moments notice.

At 20.05 hours first contact has been made and the enemy formation is attack. At 20.20 a majority of the night fighters have successfully found and are engaging the bomber formation. In the vicinity, pilots have to rely on their own senses to actually find the enemy.

When the expected target of the bomber formation has been determined the information is passed on quickly to both the civil and military authorities on location so that they can prepare for the attack.

Attention, attention, areal report from division headquarters. The lead planes of the reported enemy formation are approaching the German capital of Berlin and an air-raid warning must be alarmed.

Update, the enemy formation have entered the city’s airspace from the south and west and are presently above the city. They are currently fully engaged by flak our artillery and fighters.

Attention, aerial report from the division headquarters. Enemy bombers have reached the southern flak zone of the city and are being engaged by the flak artillery.

Update, the enemy formations have entered the city's airspace from the south and west and are presently above the city. They are currently fully engaged by flak artillery and fighters.