In early 1945, Leutnant Jorg Czypionka takes off
from his base at Burg-bei-Magdeburg in Germany, to defend the area from
an incoming Lancaster raid.
Signatures
Leutnant Jorg Czypionka (flew the 262 jet)
Leutnant Hans H. Busch (flew the 262 jet)
Oberleutnant Kurt Schulze (flew the Me-109)
The Story
Lt. Czypionka
is one of the very few Luftwaffe pilots who flew the revolutionary
Messerschmitt 262 jet during night operations in WWII. This was the Kommando Welter
10/NJG11 and Jorg flew 'Red 6.' Another 262 takes off while Lt.
Czypionka climbs for height. Below, we see two night fighter Me110's
warming up for night missions, with ground crew standing by. An Me109
is parked after its day's work. Because a black-out was in effect,
runway lights were lit for only a few minutes. For the same reason, a
mechanic hastily closes a workshop door to prevent light from being
seen by marauding Allied fighters.
