Skip to main content Skip to search Skip to search

History Aviation

The Messerschmitt Bf 109 E

Germany’s Premier Early World War II Fighter

by (author) David Johnston

Publisher
Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.
Initial publish date
Nov 2019
Category
Aviation, World War II
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9780764358609
    Publish Date
    Nov 2019
    List Price
    $28.99

Classroom Resources

Where to buy it

Description

The Bf 109 E "Emil" entered service in 1938. The aircraft’s DB 601 engine transformed its performance, making the Messerschmitt fighter one of the most capable anywhere in the world at the time. After seeing action late in the Spanish Civil War, the Emil was Germany’s premier fighter aircraft during the early years of World War II, seeing action over Poland, France and the Low Countries, Great Britain, the Balkans, and North Africa. By the time of “Operation Barbarossa” in June 1941, the Emil had been largely replaced as the Luftwaffe’s main fighter aircraft by the new Bf 109 F; however, it continued in service in the fighter-bomber, reconnaissance, and fighter-training roles. The Bf 109 E was flown by all of Germany’s famed early-war fighter aces, men such as Adolf Galland, Werner Mölders, Helmut Wick, Wilhelm Balthasar, Walther Oesau, and countless others.

About the author

Other titles by