This silent, 16mm German film dates to WWII and is entitled “Fluegzeug-erkennung” or “Aircraft Detection.” It dates to April, 1943 and was probably intended to be shown to anti-aircraft gun crews, aircraft spotting crews, and aircraft gunners and pilots, in an effort to prevent friendly fire incidents. The film begins with “single engine” (:33) aircraft including the Me-109e model (:49). At 1:49, a pilot climbs into a fighter which has the “spade” markings of Jagdgeschwader 53. (JG 53) was a Luftwaffe fighter-wing which operated in Western Europe and in the Mediterranean. The Me-109e is shown taking off and at various attitudes — note that some of the footage is “flopped” or backwards for whatever reason. At 5:59, the Me-109f model is shown (couldn’t figure out the unit marking shown here), followed by the Me-109g model at (10:43).
The Messerschmitt Bf 109, also known as the Me-109 by the Allies, served a crucial role in the Luftwaffe’s fighter force. It was designed by Willy Messerschmitt and Robert Lusser, and first saw combat service in 1937 during the Spanish Civil War. Featuring all-metal monocoque construction, a closed canopy, retractable landing gear, a powerful V-12 liquid-cooled engine, the aircraft was one of the most advanced in operation at the start of WWII. The versatile aircraft was built as an interceptor, but also served as an escort, fighter, fighter-bomber, ground attack aircraft, and in a photo reconnaissance role. Almost 34,000 airframes were made, making it the most produced fighter aircraft in history. It was flown by the top three aces of all time, including Erich Hartmann, who was credited with 352 victories.
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