The Heinkel He111H-6

Designed (supposedly) as a fast mail and passenger aircraft for Lufthansa, the He111 prototype nevertheless had provision for three gun positions and a 2,200lb (1,000kg)-bomb load. Early versions featured a conventional 'stepped' cockpit and nose section and were used during the Spanish Civil War with great success where their relatively high speed and good defensive armament was more than a match for Republican fighters.

 

In 1938, a new version of the He111, the He111P began to leave the production lines and featured a completely redesigned wing and nose with extensive glazing and off-set to improve pilot visibility and this was to become the trademark of the type for the remainder of its service. Another feature of the 'P series was a streamlined ventral gondola which replaced the retractable 'dustbin' fitted to earlier models. Gruppen of He111Ps saw service in Poland, but it was not until the invasion of France that large numbers of defending fighters were encountered, and by the time of the Battle of Britain many German units were flying the He111H which suffered from inadequate firepower when attacked. Also, there was a lack of fighter protection as the Bf109s did not have the range to provide them with more than 20 minutes of protection. It was kept in production long after it should have been replaced, but the Luftwaffe suffered from a developmental plan for long range, heavy bombers. It basically had none, until much too late in the war when they were on the defensive. Production ceased in 1944 after more than 7300 aircraft. Compared with Allied medium bombers like the B-25 Mitchell, it was undergunned. With a crew of four, and later five, it had a nose gunner, a top gunner and a belly gunner.