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Old 23rd January 2009, 23:02
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FalkeEins FalkeEins is offline
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Re: Need assistance: Role of the Luftwaffe/Germany in the Battle of Britain?

..very unforgiving a/c on takeoff especially, no matter whether the pilot was a novice or a seasoned ace (Major Walter Hoeckner I./JG4, veered off the runway & crashed on takeoff, 25 August 1944 - 68 victories!). IIRC 109 takeoff & landing accidents accounted for around huge numbers of machines (30-40 /month ?)

as for running out of fuel and ditching in the Channel - instances were surprisingly rare during the BoB. One JG 2 pilot had his engine seize over England and glided all the way home (cf. Mombeeck, 'In the skies of France')
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