What is a "Schienwerferflug" - Flight Log Entry
 

Hey guys...

I have a Flight Book from an He111 and Do17 pilot who flew in both France, and on the Eastern Front. 80% of the sorties show a "Schienwerferflug" as the type of mission. These were not training missions at all.

The only thing I can think of is possibly denoting a lead aircraft that would light up the bombing targets at night (by dropping flares and such)...

OR

This was a Do17 Z-10 Kauz II, with the infrared searchlight to illuminate the target...??

or am I totally wrong here?

Thoughts?

TIA

Mike

Re: What is a "Schienwerferflug" - Flight Log Entry
 

Perhaps, Scheinwerferflug. Direct translation is "searchlight (assisted) flight"

Re: What is a "Schienwerferflug" - Flight Log Entry
 

Hi,

Sorry, I misspelled it in my post above.

Yup...the direct translation is "searchlight", but that would really make no sense flying over Russia... :(

Mike

Re: What is a "Schienwerferflug" - Flight Log Entry
 

May I suggest "beam navigation flight"?

Re: What is a "Schienwerferflug" - Flight Log Entry
 

The RAF conducted searchlight cooperation flights to test crews’ ability to track and hold aircraft. As far as I know, the Luftwaffe did the same with the Luftdienstkommandos and Fliegerzielgeschwader.

Re: What is a "Schienwerferflug" - Flight Log Entry
 

Schiene or Eisenbahnschiene in german is railway, may be bombing railways?

Re: What is a "Schienwerferflug" - Flight Log Entry
 

Yes, I believe those were called “Flashlights”. Dad recorded one of those in his operational log book with 419 Squadron.

Jim

Re: What is a "Schienwerferflug" - Flight Log Entry
 

Funnily enough, there is a German expletive, 'Scheinwerfer Aschloch'.

Re: What is a "Schienwerferflug" - Flight Log Entry
 

Yes,
this were flights at night for training the Flak.
I have a Flugbuch from a observer of Luftdienstkommando 1/7.
There were some Scheinwerferflüge noticed.
They were flown with Fw 58, Ju 52, Ju 86 and He 111.

Best,
Gerry.

P.S.: I´m german but never heard "Scheinwerfer Aschloch",
but perhaps, "Scheiss Arschloch"!

Re: What is a "Schienwerferflug" - Flight Log Entry
 

LOL Gerry, I'm from an East Prussian family, so could be local colloquialism.