Who shot down the most German planes in WW2?

Erich Hartmann
While serving in Germany’s Luftwaffe in World War II, Erich Hartmann flew more than 1,400 missions in the Messerschmitt Bf 109, enabling him to score an astonishing 352 kills.

How many German planes were shot down in the Battle of Britain?

The toll. Both sides lost heavily during the Battle of Britain. More than 1700 Luftwaffe (German air force) planes were destroyed.

How many Spitfires were shot down?

Production was slow at first, but by September 1940 it was in service with 18 RAF squadrons. Spitfires shot down a total of 529 enemy aircraft, for a loss of 230 of their own.

Is Luftwaffe better than RAF?

The RAF proved to be a better combat force than the Luftwaffe in almost every respect. The decisive factors were British capability and determination, but German mistakes, before and during the battle, contributed significantly to the outcome. German pilots honed their skills in the Spanish Civil War.

Is the German Air Force still called the Luftwaffe?

The German Air Force (as part of the Bundeswehr) was founded in 1956 during the era of the Cold War as the aerial warfare branch of the armed forces of then West Germany. The term Luftwaffe that is used for both the historic and the current German air force is the German-language generic designation of any air force.

Why did the British RAF defeat the German Luftwaffe?

After the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk and the Fall of France, Germany planned to gain air superiority in preparation for an invasion of Great Britain. A sustained air assault on Britain would achieve the decisive victory needed to make ‘Sealion’ a possibility – or so the Germans thought.

Why wont the Luftwaffe beat the RAF?

A lack of home advantage If an RAF pilot was shot down, then provided he was uninjured, he could be flying again later that day. Furthermore, Luftwaffe pilots had to cross the Channel to fight, and the fear of being lost and drowning increasingly played on their nerves.

What made Erich Hartmann so good?

Hartmann’s acting so convinced the Soviets that they put him on a stretcher and placed him on a truck. When Hartmann’s Crew Chief, Heinz Mertens, heard what had happened, he took a rifle and went to search for Hartmann. Mertens was another important factor behind Hartmann’s success, ensuring the aircraft was reliable.