The first time American bomber crews encountered the German Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter in 1944, they were astounded and terrified by its speed. The Me 262 was approximately 150 miles per hour faster than the fastest Allied fighters, making Allied planes feel almost stationary by comparison. The reaction from pilots and ground troops? A mix of fear, awe, and confusion. This was the moment when the face of aerial warfare changed forever. | History In Pictures

Wow, look at this! The Messerschmitt Me 262, the world’s first jet fighter, blasting into the sky. Faster than anything the Allies had, but Hitler slowed its progress by demanding it be used for ground attack. By 1945, Germany also had the Heinkel 162 Salamander, the rocket-powered Me 163 Comet, and the jet Horton bomber. Imagine if they’d all been unleashed together… #aviation #worldwar2 #militaryhistory #aviationlovers #history | AvPay.aero

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Aircraft of this type were used in high-risk low-level strike missions during 1944–45, reflecting Germany’s insistence on a bomber role for the Me 262. #ww2 #aviation #aircraft #jet #Military | World War II Aircraft