Hitler's "Lightning Bombers": The Schnellbombers PART 2
PART 1:    • Hitler's "Lightning Bombers": The Schnellb...  
Featuring aviation legend Eric "Winkle" Brown.
Welcome to a deep dive into one of Nazi Germany's most ambitious aviation doctrines: the "Schnellbomber" or "fast bomber." This concept, born from the Blitzkrieg mentality, envisioned bombers so swift they could outrun contemporary enemy fighters, rendering heavy defensive armament – and the associated weight and drag – unnecessary. This documentary explores the rise, evolution, and ultimate transformation of this idea, from early propeller-driven successes to the dawn of the jet age.
In the early stages of World War II, aircraft like the Dornier Do 17 "Flying Pencil," the Heinkel He 111, and the versatile Junkers Ju 88 embodied the Schnellbomber principle. Their speed and operational successes in Poland, France, and during the Battle of Britain initially seemed to validate the Luftwaffe's focus. However, as Allied fighter technology, particularly with the introduction of formidable aircraft like the Supermarine Spitfire and later the P-51 Mustang, advanced, these propeller-driven Schnellbombers found themselves increasingly vulnerable. The skies became far deadlier, and the dream of the uncatchable bomber began to fade, pushing German engineers towards a revolutionary new technology: the jet engine.

The seeds of this revolution were sown not in Germany, but in Great Britain, by the visionary engineer Frank Whittle. Despite initial skepticism and limited funding, Whittle tirelessly developed the turbojet engine, with his Power Jets W.1 engine powering the Gloster E.28/39, Britain's first jet aircraft, in May 1941. Whittle's invention fundamentally changed aviation, heralding an era of unprecedented speed and altitude capabilities.

Simultaneously, German engineers like Hans von Ohain were pioneering their own jet engine designs. This parallel development led to fierce internal competition within the Third Reich to produce operational jet aircraft. Two designs, in particular, stood at the forefront of early jet fighter development: the Heinkel He 280 and the Messerschmitt Me 262. The He 280, first flying under jet power in April 1941 (earlier than the Me 262's first jet-only flight), was a promising twin-engine design featuring a tricycle landing gear and an ejection seat. It showed considerable potential as a capable interceptor.

However, the Me 262 "Schwalbe" (Swallow), despite a more protracted development and initial issues with its axial-flow Junkers Jumo 004 engines, ultimately received production priority from the Reich Air Ministry (RLM). Several factors contributed to this decision: political maneuvering, perceived developmental risks with the He 280's HeS 8 engines, and Messerschmitt's established reputation. Tragically for the Allied aircrews and arguably for the German war effort's defensive needs, Hitler infamously intervened, demanding that the Me 262 be primarily developed and deployed as a "Blitzbomber" – a fast fighter-bomber, tying it back to the Schnellbomber concept – rather than as a dedicated air superiority fighter. This decision significantly delayed its effective introduction as an interceptor, where it could have had a more substantial impact against Allied bomber formations.

While the Me 262, when used in its "Sturmvogel" (Stormbird) fighter-bomber variant, did fulfill a jet Schnellbomber role, the true embodiment of the jet-powered fast bomber was the Arado Ar 234 "Blitz." Initially designed for reconnaissance, its speed made it virtually immune to interception for a period, and it was later adapted into a bomber role, showcasing the terrifying potential of the jet Schnellbomber.

Join us as we explore the fascinating and complex history of the Schnellbomber, from its theoretical underpinnings and early triumphs to its desperate, technologically advanced end. We examine the aircraft, the engineers, the political decisions, and the critical jet engine race that defined this chapter of aerial warfare. Discover how Frank Whittle's genius spurred a global aviation revolution and how the He 280 versus Me 262 rivalry shaped the Luftwaffe's jet capabilities in the dying days of World War II.

#Schnellbomber #WWIIAviation #militaryhistory