The Pathetic Plane that Became a Killer at Night

On the night of August 17, 1943, the Royal Air Force’s bombers embarked on a perilous mission deep into the heart of Nazi Germany. Unbeknownst to them, the enemy had a cunning strategy in store. Defending the German skies for years, the Messerschmitt BF 110, also known as the backbone of the Nachtjagdgeschwader, faced its true test in 1942 when British heavy bombers began appearing on the horizon. Suddenly, chaos erupted. Aircraft shuddered violently, and the deafening echoes of explosions reverberated through the darkness. They were under attack - from an invisible opponent. They couldn’t see where the enemy was coming from; there were no telltale signs, no tracers to follow. Few even saw the elusive German fighters. Fewer still returned fire. Astonishingly, the RAF bombers reported nothing unusual despite excellent visibility. They couldn’t fathom the new weapons or tactics employed by the German night fighters. Tracerless ammunition and attacks on their blind