The Luftwaffe entered the Battle of Britain with a wide array of combat aircraft, many of which had already proven their effectiveness during campaigns in Poland, France, and the Low Countries. From twin-engine bombers like the Dornier Do 17 and Heinkel He 111 to the dive-bombing Junkers Ju 87 Stuka, Germany deployed a mix of strategic and tactical aircraft in its attempt to gain air superiority over southern England. These were supported by long-range fighters such as the Messerschmitt Bf 110 and the agile Bf 109, which became the RAF’s most frequent aerial adversary.

Each aircraft type had strengths and limitations that shaped the Luftwaffe’s tactics and ultimately influenced the course of the battle. Some were highly effective against ground targets but vulnerable to fighter interception; others were powerful in theory but underperformed under British operational conditions.

This section explores the principal German aircraft used during the Battle of Britain, including their roles, technical characteristics, unit deployment, and combat performance. Use the image links below to examine the machines at the heart of Germany’s 1940 air campaign.