Bf 109 drop tanks

Hi guys

This link makes interesting reading and the following is reproduced from “Jagdwaffe, Battle of Britain Phase Four Nov’40 to June’41” by E.Mombeek, D.Wadman and M.Pegg [Classic, 2002]:

“The Bf109E-7 was also equipped to carry a 300 litre drop tank, though is is unclear as to why these tanks were not used during the Battle of Britain. Fw Otto Junge of 6./JG52, shot down on 2nd November, informed his interrogators that in his unit, the bomb racks had been removed from new Bf109E-7’s and drop tanks fitted instead, but while this suggests that drop tanks were available in October 1940, there is little evidence that they were actually used. Whether this was because the tanks leaked and were therefore disliked by the pilots or was due, perhaps, to difficulties in providing adequate oil supply for extended flights(*) is not known, but had these auxiliary tanks been available earlier – or used earlier – then the increased endurance of the Bf109 may well have had a significant impact on the course of the Battle. Another possibility is that despite the distinct advantages offered by the auxiliary fuel tanks, bombs may have been preferred for purely operational reasons. As we have seen, unacceptably high losses had resulted in the medium bombers switching to night raids, but the Luftwaffe High Command still adhered to the traditional view that the most effective aerial action against important military targets was daylight bombing. Therefore, as long as the weather held, every effort was made to carry out as many Bf109 fighter-bomber raids as possible.”

(*) An interesting feature discovered in the wreckage of a crashed Bf109E in February 1940 was a tap in the cockpit with instructions to pump over extra oil after 1.5 hours flight

Cheers
Peter D Evans
LEMB Administrator

Didn,t they use them in the Invasion of Norway?

I have a feeling they were tested before the Battle of Britain, but weren’t fully available/reliable until late 1940 or early 1941.