num_pages: 167
description: Initially designed as a fast medium bomber the Junkers Ju 88 was also used as a Zerstrer heavy fighter by the Luftwaffe. It saw its combat debut over Poland in 1939 and heavy fighter variants saw action on every front up to VE Day. The ultimate Ju 88 fighter variant was the G-model of 1944 which boasted a FuG 220 or 227 radar an astounding array of cannon and machine gun armament and advanced Junkers Jumo or BMW engines.A dedicated nightfighter the first Ju 88G-1s entered service with the Nachtjagd in the summer of 1944 replacing Ju 88C/Rs as well as some Bf 110Gs. Despite suffering heavy losses in the final months of the war Ju 88Gs also inflicted serious casualties on Bomber Command throughout the war.From patrolling over the Bay of Biscay to the Arctic circle opposing Allied convoys and most successfully as radar-equipped nightfighters engaging RAF heavy bombers during defence of the Reich operations from late 1941 this is the story of the Ju 88 aces who menaced Allied aircraft and shipping throughout World War 2.
language: English
title: Ju 88 Aces of World War 2
publisher: Osprey Publishing