"Schrage Musik!" by ratfugel
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Description
The above image attempts to show just why the RAF lost a grievous number of its finest aircrews night after night for years without knowing why. The losses ran into hundreds, possibly thousands of aircraft, simply because the crews never knew what hit them.
There was more to Schrage Musik than just fitting a few angled-up cannon, usually MG 151/20 or MK 108's. These were mounted in this case behind the cockpit of the Ju88. It was always important to attack undetected and therefore tracer ammo was never used. Special ammunition with a faint glowing trail replaced tracers. The guns also had flash reducers. Additional gunsights were fitted for aiming. Attacking from below had the advantage that the nightfighter crew could observe and identify the silhouette of the enemy before they attacked. At the same time the RAF crew could not see the attacker against the dark ground, nor could it defend itself, because all belly turrets had been removed to reduce drag. The nightfighters always aimed for the fuel tanks, not the fuselage in cae they exloded any bombs being carried, which would obviously damage the attacker. The results were spectacular to say the least. Losses became almost unacceptable. For instance on two nights alone, the RAF lost 185 aircraft attacking Berlin and Leipzig.
Comments (10)
neiwil
Great picture, great FX and good history.Arthur 'Bomber' Harris actually came close to halting night bombing when one raid lost 58% of the aircraft.Most military ops are scrapped if a 50%+ attrition rate is forcast.The exception to this rule was U-Boats, they operated throughout the war dispite an 85% loss rate.Thanks for this great presentation.
Garlor
Fine image and history. I worked on a JU88 at St Athan museum(aircraft now at Cosford)It was fitted with the same nose aerial array as this one,I wonder what secrets were revealed when it was brought across the North sea by a defecting crew to be escorted into Dyce (now Aberdeen airport)
dbrv6
Thanks for the history and excellent render and special affects look solid.
tallpindo
Once an aircraft was in formation with a bomber from behind the realtive motion could be nulled out. Getting into that position though was a formidable task for GCI. It helped if the bombers were slow and the attackers were high rate of climb. This one adds to the lore of attrition by guns.
Osper
Nice.
VRG
Very good contri! It reminds me of how many losses were caused by the jettisoning of unused bombs falling onto aircraft below.
Cosme..D..Churruca
great work!
proteus2
Nice work. -------------------- RE: VRG's comment. According to some late news,Glen Miller,the famous composer who vanished in 1944, was supposed to have fallen a victim of that particular type of accident P
Emil-arts
A great action shot and nice work with the flames Warren. I like the way you tackle the more unusual side of aerial warfare in renders like this. Lets see more :)
debbielove
Great picture telling terrible story. Well done! The Ju88 mentioned by Garlor, is pictured in my Photo Gallery AND also full respect to the job performed by him and others in putting this Ju back together. It's now displayed in RAF Hendon Museum. Respect to all concerned.... Rob.