Dogfights: Secret Weapons Part 4

The Me 163 Komet was perhaps the most unique aircraft design of the Second World War. German scientists, always on the cutting edge of evolving war technology, developed a rocket-powered aircraft based on testing completed with an engine-less glider design. The resulting research produced the one-man, swept back fighter that was equally dangerous to pilot and Allied bomber formations alike.

By late 1944, the war situation had deteriorated for Japan to the point where extraordinary measures were seen as offering the only way out of an increasingly grim military predicament. Thus, with the invasion of the Phillipines, the Japanese first formulated and implemented 'Special Attack' tactics in the form of suicide aircraft attacks: the kamikazes. In short order, Japan began applying the same doctrine in the creation of new weapons systems. Notable among these was the kaiten suicide submarine.

JOSEPH P. KENNEDY JR., 1915-1944

A Navy pilot, died when an explosives-laden bomber he was piloting on a secret World War II mission exploded. Awarded the Navy Cross and the Air Medal.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Me-163
• rocket
• German
• B-17
• Allies
• Axis
• Glider
• Suicide
• submarine
• Japan
• Kamikaze
• Kennedy
• B-24
• Bomber
• explosion
• dogfights

[Historystartsnow]

It might not last you for too long...

[mikeymike1792]

617 Squadron should be on this episode. Bouncing Bombs, Tallboys, Grand Slams.

[Sn1perF0X]

Without the V series would the Apolo project not have existet

[rogerstill71]

@Magus732 Right. And it had a single tail, not the double tail of the Liberator.

[TheRapper10000]

@Toddinfantry Ever read Japanese war crimes, Zhejiang-Jiangxi Campaign and the Rape of Nanking.

[HybodusStudios]

the germans should have camoflauged the V-sites

[HybodusStudios]

Japan should have fcused on seaplane/flying boat technolohgy to attack US submarines to protect the merchent marine just like UK did

[Dualguitar6]

@mikeymike1792 Heck yeah:)

[terryjohn]

@Historystartsnow new chemistry set-Kido-

[MostwantedLover1]

Instead of this germany should have just worked on improving their ME 262's to make them more deadly and efficent.Who knows they might have held out longer if they did that?

[barbwire7308]

@TheWoodstock2009 It's just that the navy designated their planes differently to the airforce same airplane just different name. catalina was PBY 4.....easy to get wrong