Training Aircrew in Luftwaffe

Ad: This forum contains affiliate links to products on Amazon and eBay. More information in Terms and rules

pbfoot

1st Lieutenant
6,974
33
Apr 14, 2005
niagara falls
I would like to know about training Luftwaffe aircrew particularly later in the war with fuel restrictions and dangers of attack also European weather isn't the best it must have imposed tremendous strains on Luftwaffe considering Allied aircrew mostly got their training in safe locales and good weather with no fuel restrictions
 
Believe it or not the training schulen were in operation right into 1945. My deceased cousin flew in Luftw Training Schule 7 before his transfer onto the Fw 190A-9 in Septmber 44 and his first mission with 5./JG 301 was 21 November 44, his second and last was several days later on the blood shedding day for JG 301, the 26th defending Misburg before some murderous US opposition. What a terrible day for both sides.

The day time training flights took place usually early in the morn at mid to low altitude before the US escort fighters got deep within Germany along with the heavies.
 
Giebelstadt Army Airfield was a Luftwaffe Training post as well as I believe a bomber field during WW2. Anyhow the Airfield was used to train pilots right up to when it was captured by the Americans in 1945.
 
Still flying a little Jungmeister around in those times would certainly train you to be ever vigilant I know I'd probably get whiplash looking around for "the Hun in the sun" and not so much on my altimeter on left base leg in the circuit
 
DerAdlerIstGelandet said:
I am sure it was interesting, with all the allied fighters in the air.
Click to expand...
Interesting would be an understatement, I'd of been shitting myself most of the time because a) I would be still learning to fly b) I wouldn't be any good/not have any experience c) there would be allied aircraft around who might come down at any moment. Not the best enviroment to learn to fly.
 
I knew a guy flying P-51's that shot down two trainers - Me 108's. he does not even call them victories, the poor sods never had a chance as he said.

the P-51 pilot has passed on now
 
another thing that influences this is that the allies were flying bright yellow a/c as trainers and the Luftwaffe were camouflaged making it hard to see or be seen probably increasing the chances of collisions and near misses with the always dangerous student pilots plus later on in late 44/45 ground troops were probably antsy when seeing aircraft and tend to think the worst and possibly open fire
 
yes like on this forum.

gents no disrespect but looking at this BOY, imagine yourself at 16, having graduated from weapons and aerial training and then given an Fw 190A-8, several hours flying time and then in an operating staffel with full knowledge you might not make it after the first mission
 
seriously even if you knew the odds by begining of 44 you would still have done your job like it or not ......... I think you guys down yourselves too easily
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 1 (members: 0, guests: 1)

Similar threads

I
Question on Luftwaffe protocols for missing aircraft??
Replies
2
Views
193
Ireland
I
N
Hermann Goering Division Training Glider?
Replies
11
Views
828
Wurger
A
Why Luftwaffe and Kreigsmarine diesels but petrol Wehrmacht?
2 3
Replies
45
Views
4K
EwenS
E
T
B24 use in ETO
Replies
3
Views
136
Geoffrey Sinclair
G
Luftwaffe Squadrons Operating in Estonia
Replies
1
Views
511
Snautzer01
Menu
Log in
Register