Training Aircrew in Luftwaffe

[pbfoot]

I would like to know about training Luftwaffe aircrew particularly later in the war with fuel restrictions and dangers of attack also European weather isn't the best it must have imposed tremendous strains on Luftwaffe considering Allied aircrew mostly got their training in safe locales and good weather with no fuel restrictions

[Erich]

Believe it or not the training schulen were in operation right into 1945. My deceased cousin flew in Luftw Training Schule 7 before his transfer onto the Fw 190A-9 in Septmber 44 and his first mission with 5./JG 301 was 21 November 44, his second and last was several days later on the blood shedding day for JG 301, the 26th defending Misburg before some murderous US opposition. What a terrible day for both sides.

The day time training flights took place usually early in the morn at mid to low altitude before the US escort fighters got deep within Germany along with the heavies.

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Giebelstadt Army Airfield was a Luftwaffe Training post as well as I believe a bomber field during WW2. Anyhow the Airfield was used to train pilots right up to when it was captured by the Americans in 1945.

[pbfoot]

Still flying a little Jungmeister around in those times would certainly train you to be ever vigilant I know I'd probably get whiplash looking around for "the Hun in the sun" and not so much on my altimeter on left base leg in the circuit

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

I am sure it was interesting, with all the allied fighters in the air.

[Gnomey]

Originally Posted by DerAdlerIstGelandet

I am sure it was interesting, with all the allied fighters in the air.

Interesting would be an understatement, I'd of been shitting myself most of the time because a) I would be still learning to fly b) I wouldn't be any good/not have any experience c) there would be allied aircraft around who might come down at any moment. Not the best enviroment to learn to fly.

[Erich]

I knew a guy flying P-51's that shot down two trainers - Me 108's. he does not even call them victories, the poor sods never had a chance as he said.

the P-51 pilot has passed on now

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Originally Posted by Gnomey

Not the best enviroment to learn to fly.

If you survived it might make you one hell of a pilot.

[Gnomey]

Originally Posted by DerAdlerIstGelandet

If you survived it might make you one hell of a pilot.

Agreed, you would have learned to keep an eye on everything. You could come out of it a very good pilot or a dead one...

[pbfoot]

another thing that influences this is that the allies were flying bright yellow a/c as trainers and the Luftwaffe were camouflaged making it hard to see or be seen probably increasing the chances of collisions and near misses with the always dangerous student pilots plus later on in late 44/45 ground troops were probably antsy when seeing aircraft and tend to think the worst and possibly open fire

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

I believe even the Camo painted trainers were marked in some way like with a colored tail band or something to make them easier to see.

[the lancaster kicks ass]

You could come out of it a very good pilot or a dead one...

well they're the only two types of pilot there are.........

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

That is a good point Lanc, even though I have flown with pilots that obviously are not dead but were not very good either.

[Erich]

well do you think he made it till wars end.... ?

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Just like many that I have seen....children.