Heinkel He 111: Luftwaffe Medium Bomber in World War II

Masquerading as a civilian airliner during the mid-1930s, the Heinkel He 111 medium-range bomber saw its first combat in 1936 with Germany’s Condor Legion during the Spanish Civil War. The initial stages of World War II confirmed the design’s prominent role in advancing the German blitzkrieg in Poland and France. However, it was during the 1940–41 air battles over Britain that the type’s defensive shortcomings became apparent. Easily recognized with its “greenhouse” nose, the He 111 was one...