THEHeinkel He 111 it was an important medium bomber used by the Luftwaffe in the late 1930s and in the Second World War. Furthermore, the aircraft was the most characteristic German high-altitude bomber in the Second World War.
In this regard, on the German aircraft, Giorgio Bonacina writes: “Elegant, aerodynamic, streamlined, characterized by its very large front glass, it enjoyed the trust of the crews”.1
The plane was produced from 1935 to 1944 and overall more than 6000 examples were built (including the versions for civil use). The German medium had some important variations and among these there was the HOME 2.111 of Spanish construction. The latter remained in service with the Spanish Air Force until the early seventies.
The first prototype of theHeinkel He 111 it took to the skies for the first time on 24 February 1935 and was piloted by Gerhard Nitschke. It is worth remembering that in February 1935 he flew a prototype for civilian use.
In 1936 the first series of Heinkel He 111 from bombing.
- Heinkel He 111 they were used by the Chinese Air Force during the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945). The Germans, however, used theHeinkel He 111 during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939).
The battle of fire for the German aircraft occurred in Battle of Guadalajara (8-23 March 1937). In that battle the Spanish Republican Army and the International Brigades they won a victory against the Spanish nationalists and the Corps of Volunteer Troops.
THEHeinkel He 111, during the Second World War, it was used on the Western Front, on the Eastern Front, in the Mediterranean theater and in the Middle East.
In battle of england, took part in numerous raids together with other Luftwaffe bombers. In this regard, we can recall the devastating bombing of Coventry (14-15 November 1940).
During the war, theHeinkel He 111 it was always updated and perfected but in the last phase of the conflict it was outdated. In fact, the aircraft was used as a transport aircraft.
The bomber Heinkel He 111 (H6) had a wingspan of 22,6 m, height 4 m, length 16,4 m.
The empty weight was 8680 kg, while fully loaded 12030 kg.
Engine: 2 Jumo 211 V-12, power 1300/1340 HP. The maximum speed was 440 km/h and the ceiling altitude was 6500 m.
The armament consisted of MG 15 or MG 81 machine guns, MG FF cannon and MG 131 machine gun.
The aircraft was capable of carrying up to 2000 kg of bombs internally and 3600 kg of bombs externally.
The bomber could count on a crew of 5 men.
1 See G. Bonacina, The Heinkel 111, in Illustrated History n°138, 1969, p.98
Photo: Bundesarchiv
