In the summer of 1941, the newly introduced DeHavilland Mosquito was making its first reconnaissance sorties, demonstrating a grave problem for the Luftwaffe. Operating at high speeds and altitudes, the aircraft was almost untouchable after it had reached its destination, and entered a shallow, fast descent for home.

The only two fighters of consequence employed by the Luftwaffe, the Bf 109 and Fw 190, were effective low to medium altitude fighters, though their performance was poor at the altitudes the Mosquito flew at. With the US entry in the war, the problem became graver, as they possessed specialized high altitude fighter and bomber designs which might threaten the Luftwaffe’s hold over much of Europe. Even more concerning was the fear that the RAF would be operating the Vickers Wellington V bomber, which was reportedly capable of operating at an almost untouchable altitude of 12 km. They never entered service, but the growing high altitude disparity would see the creation of the Höhenjäger, or high altitude fighter program.

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Sources:
Primary:
Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment Boscombe Down Spitfire F. Mk. 21 LA.187 (Griffon 61) Climb and Level Speed Trials. 10 October 1945.
Einmotorige Jäger: Leistungsdaten, 1.10.44
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Smith F., M.A. and Brotherton J. Note on the performance in flight of the German jet-propelled aircraft Messerschmitt 262, Heinkel 162, and Arado 234. Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough. October 1945.

Secondary:
Brown, Eric Melrose. Wings of the Luftwaffe. Hikoki, 2010.
Douglas, Calum E. Secret Horsepower Race: Second World War Fighter Aircraft Engine Development on the Western Front. TEMPEST, 2020.
Green, William. The Warplanes of the Third Reich. Doubleday & Company. 1970.
Harmann, Dietmar. Focke-Wulf Ta 152 the Story of the Luftwaffe’s Late-war, High-Altitude Fighter. Schiffer Military History. 1999.
Smith, J. & Creek, Eddie. Focke-Wulf Fw 190, Vol. 3: 1944-1945. Specialty Pr Pub & Wholesalers. 2015.
Smith, J. & Creek, Eddie. Me 262 Volume Two. Crecy Publishing. 2007.
Weal, John. Focke-Wulf Fw 190 Aces of the Western Front. Osprey Publishing. 1996.
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Article by: Henry H
Script by: Henry H
Narrated by HalRoller
Edited by Brancovich
Sound edited by Gabe