Incredible gun camera footage of a Me 262 being shot down

This amazing U.S. gun-camera footage shows an American fighter firing at a German Messerschmitt Me 262 fighter jet. These planes would normally fly at speeds well beyond the reach of the Allied propeller-driven fighters, but the Me 262 in the footage may have been coming in to land, which is exactly what the Allied fighters were waiting for.

The Me 262 was the first operational jet-powered fighter plane in history. The Germans built 1,430 and Hitler hoped these fighters would turn the tide of the war for Germany. However, since there were very few trained pilots and a severe fuel shortage, their impact on the course of history proved relatively small.

Not being able to keep up with an Me 262, let alone overtake it in a dogfight, the Allied pilots would wait until they would slow down to land. They would then jump on its tail to try and shoot it down.

In the footage, several hits are seen on the wings and then on the tail of the Me 262, which appears to accelerate while emitting smoke. It is then seen with its right engine smoking heavily.

It is again attacked and apparently shot down. It then switches to another scene which shows attacks against a German fighter, possibly be a BF109.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gZV_Of_-zk

Joris Nieuwint

Joris Nieuwint is a battlefield guide for the Operation Market Garden area. His primary focus is on the Allied operations from September 17th, 1944 onwards. Having lived in the Market Garden area for 25 years, he has been studying the events for nearly as long. He has a deep understanding of the history and a passion for sharing the stories of the men who are no longer with us.

@joris1944 facebook.com/joris.nieuwint