German aircraft classifications

[Neal1940]

Hello, first time user here. Looking into German aircraft classifications. Reading a book, in German, "Luftkrieg 1939-1945" by Janusz Piekalkiewics. Find numerous references to Schlachtflugzeug & Zerstorer, anybody know what these terms refer to? These are in addition to the more common tems i.e. Jager (fighter, pursuit), Bomber, Aufklarer (reconnaissance) etc. Greatly appreciate any assistance. thanks in advance.

[Nick Beale]

Schlachtflugzeug = ground-attack aircraft
Zerstörer = twin-engined heavy fighter

[Graham Boak]

Zerstorer is German for destroyer, and also used for the ship class.

[PMoz99]

Originally Posted by Graham Boak

Zerstorer is German for destroyer, and also used for the ship class.

True, but as far as aircraft are concerned, I don't think the term was used to describe anything except heavy fighters, mainly the 110, 210 and 410.
But IIRC, some early Zerstörer units did have some single engine a/c - 109s? - that might muddy the water a bit.
Peter

[Graham Boak]

Yes they did operate the Bf109, but only as a temporary measure due to the early lack of Bf110s. I don't think that's any reason to argue with your identification of the term. Although perhaps the Ju88C/G should be included as a fairly major type in the category. There is some logic to arguing that the Me262 should be included, though it never is. The He219 could be an obvious candidate, but the specialist role of night fighters had overtaken the prewar terminology.

[Andrei Demjanko]

Hello all

Interesting question about Zerstörer. Does anyone know about some original document, explaining the term?

Judging by the way Zerstörer units were employed from the beginning of the war the term more likely means high-performance twin-engined multipurpose aircraft. And here is the analogy with the warship.

[Alfred.MONZAT]

Interesting theory but I remain doubtful of it.

[Lennart Andersson]

Zerstörer is short for Flugzeugzerstörer (aircraft destroyer), perhaps escort fighter would be the appropriate translation. It appears in the November 1935 Flugzeugentwicklungsprogramm and perhaps earlier as well. The Bf 110, FW 57 and Hs 124 were in this category.

[Nick Beale]

Originally Posted by Andrei Demjanko

Judging by the way Zerstörer units were employed from the beginning of the war the term more likely means high-performance twin-engined multipurpose aircraft. And here is the analogy with the warship.

Destroyer when applied to a ship is short for "torpedo-boat destroyer" ("contre-torpilleur" in French — I just learned that!), intended to come between the capital ships and said torpedo boats. So not a bad analogy for a bomber escort intended to counter lighter opponents.

[Andrei Demjanko]

Nick

Yes, it's true. But it is also true that already in the Great War destroyers became multi-purpose ships performing a variety of roles.

Perhaps it would be a strange question, but I'll ask it. What is the source of information, that term Zerstörer means heavy fighter? Is there any LW document explaning it in such a way?


It seems that the German wikipedia supports my interpretation
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zerstörer_(Flugzeug)