Air to air rockets used by the luftwaffe where useless in killing Bombers, but GREAT to disperse them.
Make no mistake, the luftwaffe lost many many many planes in attacking bombers. In formations, it was difficult to get out without being hit. And the luftwaffe needed to send out their planes in large numbers.
On average, 2% of the rounds fired hitted a bomber. 20-30 20mm Shells where need to bring down a bomber. An average 1000 rounds had to be fired to bring a single bomber down.
BUT a B-17 was a sitting duck once it left the formation. Luftwaffe pilots could aim longer and with more patience, with a rise from 2% of the rounds hit, to 30%. Because of the far less defensive fire.
Luftwaffe aces knew however, Not to underestimate the Defensive gunners, because the B17 had the best defensive armament of any mass produced bomber AND also had excellent trained gunners.
Always combat photo's, Post your non combat photo's!
DO-17's getting maintance. The Bramo 323 can be well seen. This was an ex-Belgian airforce hanger, used by the germans for the battle of britain
In Spring 2011, the Royal airforce Museum will raise a discoverd Do-17 (of 7 Staffel, III Gruppe, Kampfgeschwader 3) to restore it to its former glory, Bringing an end to the extenction of the Do-17/215/217 line
