Me-163 In Combat - Against the Odds (Part 3)

Watch part one if you missed it: • Me-163 in Combat - How...
After the initial contact with Allied bombers and fighters and some success, Me-163 pilots now faced a different reality. Ever increasing number of Allied escort fighters made it more dangerous to try to approach the bomber formations. Losses began to accumulate.
Main sources:
Stephen Ransom - Jagdgeschwader 400: Germany’s Elite Rocket Fighters
amzn.to/3yMYHyr
Robert Forsyth - Me 163 vs Allied Heavy Bombers: Northern Europe 1944-45
amzn.to/3yNPRR2
Wolfgang Späte and Richard Bateson - Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet
amzn.to/3RgSsth
Stephen Chapis - Allied Jet Killers of World War 2
amzn.to/4aTVef2
Bat out of Hell
donhollway.com...
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"Interloper" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
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[@showtime112]

Not all the aircraft liveries are 100 percent historically accurate due to various technical reasons. Thank you for your understanding.

[@mickmuzzmkmz1628]

That's understandable. Still though, you do a great job with the visual recreations. They really tie in well with the narrative.

[@showtime112]

@@mickmuzzmkmz1628 I'm glad to hear you feel this way, thank you!

[@AdamWalkLikeSuicide]

The little things aren't important, what's important is the history. Thank you for retelling these tales with such clarity and passion.

[@jimkeats891]

Thanks for saying that. I was wondering if you were actually able to represent them accurately. I think you did a great job!

[@MDsteeler1]

Absolutely, can’t get enough stories of the ME-163.

[@showtime112]

Vote noted, thank you!

[@danhubert-hx4ss]

Second that!!!

[@BV-fr8bf]

@@showtime112 Chapter 4, Me-163 *Please* !

[@cannonfodder4376]

Being a rocket fighter is the worst thing about the 163. Nothing one can do once the fuel is gone, and that's not even taking the operational dangers into account. A good video.

[@showtime112]

Thank you very much! Yes, the technology offered some advantages but it's pretty clear why the Komet was the only fighter of its kind :)

[@edwardd9702]

The Soviets experimented with a point defence rocket powered interceptor, before and during the war. After the war they experimented with a rocket powered interceptor that looked alot like the ME 263. Only a few manufactured and none were operational.

[@AnthonyHancock-s7v]

I'm looking forward to episode 4 already

[@showtime112]

Thank you for sharing that!

[@artawhirler]

Of all the planes of World War ll, this is the one that I would least want to fly, because I would be in much more danger from my own aircraft than from the enemy.

[@showtime112]

Oh yeah, the enemy was actually less dangerous 😁

[@Spitfiresammons]

There’s a story between the Me-163 and the RAF/RCAF. 1. On the 10th April 1945 Leutnant Friedrich Kelb of 2./JG400 fired his SG500 on the Lancaster Mk.iii ME315/LQ-K of the RCAF 405 squadron shot away the rear gun turret and starboard rudder, shattered the port rudder, and damaged both elevators so badly that they were rendered useless. The rear gunner, Flt Lt Melborn Mellstrom, was killed in the attack the pilot Sqn Ldr Campbell Haliburton Mussells managed to bring his badly damage Lancaster back to RAF Woodbridge for his action Campbell Haliburton Mussells was awarded the DSO. This was to be the last Me-163 action against the allied bombers of WW2. 2. On the evening of 14 April 1945 Sqn Ldr John Shepherd, CO of RAF 41 Squadron flying his Spitfire Mk.XIVE SM825/EB-B was credited with destroying both the Bf-110 that was towing the ME-163. He was one of only two RAF pilots to shoot down the Me-163. 3. On 10 April 1945 Flying Officer Johnny ‘Slops’ Haslop of RAF 165 Squadron flying his Mustang Mk.iii Kh557/SK-Z was credited of shooting down the Me-163 during a escorting the bomber forces. Johnny was one of only 2 RAF pilots credited with the Me-163 kills. 4. On 16 March 1945 Oblt Rolf ‘Bubi’ Glogner of 2./JG 400 (formerly of 3./JG 52), manage to set the right engine on fire of a RAF Mosquito Pr.XVI NS795 piloted by Fg Off Raymond Hays (USA) and Fit Sgt Morgan Phillips (UK) of RAF 544 Squadron during a epic turning dogfight over Leipzig. But the crew of NS795 manage to got the damage mosquito back under control and flew back to allied line where the crippled mosquito crash landed near Lillie France Raymond Hays was awarded the British DFC for his action on that day but tragedy Raymond and his another navigator were both killed just two weeks later. Great story Showtime please do the Messerscmitt Me-262 in combat story.

[@showtime112]

Thank you very much for the elaborate comment! Yes, these are the most important moments in the 'Komet vs RAF' story. Some of them are technically challenging to do in a video but I'll try to figure out how to make such scenes. And I'll probably cover some of the Me-262 combat in the future.

[@jsaludes1]

In my opinion, this series is one of your very best.

[@showtime112]

Very high praise, thank you!

[@guinnog2]

I agree.

[@tacticlol]

750 fighters. Wow they really were outgunned by the end. Great series

[@showtime112]

Thank you! Yes, the odds were more than impossible and the fight was more like a few bugs attacking an elephant.

[@welshpete12]

The Comet had a high landing speed , much higher then pilots were used to . So to get over this problem . Training commenced with gliders with cut down wings . The Me -163 landed at roughly 200 mph , 174 knots , or 322 kph . Which made the ride home on a skid interesting .

[@bigblue6917]

Especially if you still had fuel on board.

[@adrianotero7963]

It was practically a crash landing every time you returned....

[@JoeJ94611]

If the shock absorber for the skid locked up, the Me-163 pilot was likely to suffer a back injury.

[@juhopuhakka2351]

Amazing that they managed to do damage against such numbers.

[@bigblue6917]

Actually, depending on the figures, more Me 163s were lost to combat than kills by the Me 163.

[@showtime112]

They still had the speed advantage and a pretty good firepower. But you needed to be lucky to get through nevertheless.

[@juhopuhakka2351]

@@bigblue6917 For sure but allies had complete air supremacy and they were bombing airfields etc at will and had scrores of escort fihters. And me 163 is tiny whit 1 crew vs b17.

[@bradywomack9751]

Not at all tiered of the expertly made videos that are fantastically researched.

[@showtime112]

Thank you for the feedback, vote noted!

[@offshorequest]

Thanks for a great three part series! A fourth episode would be great !

[@showtime112]

Thank you for the feedback!

[@americanpatriot2422]

Outstanding video and presentation. Yes another video would be great.

[@showtime112]

Thank you very much!

[@paulstanton7153]

Yes please a fourth would be great.

[@showtime112]

Thank you for the feedback!

[@pedrofalcaoseixas2073]

Would love a fourth episode… komets vs RAF! Sounds lovely

[@showtime112]

Thank you for the feedback! There were some interesting clashes in the final days of WW2 involving the Komet.

[@juancarlosperezcortes9259]

Gfaet lesson. A trully and important part of the aerial combat history

[@showtime112]

Thank you for the positive comment!

[@bigblue6917]

Shows how desperate the NAZIs had become. Others were dying to save them

[@knightonwarbeck1969]

Sensational series! Yes, more about the 163. thank you.

[@showtime112]

It's great to hear, thank you for the feedback!

[@mypl510]

Yes! More please! Thank you!

[@showtime112]

Thank you for the comment!

[@commandingjudgedredd1841]

Definitely needs that fourth rpisode. This has been another terrific series.

[@showtime112]

Thank you for your opinion!

[@VangelisKontogeorgakos]

Excellent video! Waiting for the fourth one!

[@showtime112]

I'm happy to hear you liked it, thank you!

[@Dr-who]

Final Me163 video please!

[@showtime112]

Vote noted!

[@tominva4121]

More please!

[@showtime112]

Thank you!

[@johnboy384]

Thanks Showtime. =)

[@showtime112]

Thank you for the comment!

[@Sharpp01]

Yes, loving the Me163 series. Keep them coming.

[@showtime112]

I'm glad you do, thank you!

[@francishruszka877]

Yes please! Another video on the163

[@showtime112]

Thank you for the feedback!

[@VictorLonmo]

I appreciate the detail you provide in your videos. The rocket fighter is so unlike the other fighters of that era, even the early jets. I would like to see #4!

[@showtime112]

Thank you very much for the comment, vote for part 4 noted.

[@bjornsmith9431]

Showtime112 great video continue with the Me163 komet rocket fighter series there alot to learn here.

[@showtime112]

Your feedback is noted, thank you!

[@edmundodantes6866]

So good, so gooood!!! Please, please, the fourth!! Congratulations for your amazing work!!!

[@showtime112]

Thank you very much for your comment!

[@majorbloodnok6659]

Thank you, very interesting to see the missions researched and analysed in this way.

[@showtime112]

That's very nice to hear, thank you!

[@Timnaldo]

I cant get enough ME-163 stories. More please!😊

[@showtime112]

Thank you very much for the feedback!

[@artawhirler]

Your videos are always very good! Thanks for all the hard work you put into making them!

[@showtime112]

Thank you for appreciating the content!

[@billbarton9046]

Brilliant video.Looking forward to the next.

[@showtime112]

Thank you very much!

[@patshes1951]

Excellent ! So glad I found your channel again. 💪👍

[@showtime112]

I'm glad too 😁

[@Disappointing925]

This content is so utterly awesome it’s like I’m getting more episodes of history channel dogfights, thank you and keep it up!

[@showtime112]

Thank you very much! Dogfights were a direct inspiration for my channel.

[@pascalabbet2178]

A great quality video that complements the first two on a fascinating subject! We can't wait to see what happens next!

[@showtime112]

I appreciate your positive feedback!

[@mohabatkhanmalak1161]

Towards 1944-45, the skies over Germany were saturated with Allied fighters like the P-51 Mustang and the P-47 Thunderbolt but still one can't help but think those early jet and rocket aircraft pilots did put up a stiff resistance. The transition from propeller Me-109s and Focke-Wulf 190 to jets, although the jet Me-262 would have not required much but this rocket Me-163 would be quite a challenge especially in the closing months of the war. Just 27 years before, fighter aircraft were mostly bi-planes powered by piston engines with magnetos. The Komet does not even have a tail!🐞

[@agnyr]

Yes, there is not enough of Me 163 stories :)

[@showtime112]

Thank you for the feedback! It does deserve more attention, I'd say.

[@timonsolus]

The Luftwaffe should never have put the Messerschmitt Me 163 into production. It was only fit for use as a test aircraft and should never have been sent into combat. The first rocket fighter that was truly fit for mass production and operational use was the Junkers Ju 248 (later designated as the Messerschmitt Me 263). This final "Komet 2" had retractable landing gear, a dual chamber rocket motor with a low power cruise mode, twice as much fuel, and a bubble canopy.

[@alastairward2774]

Was it's potential performance good enough to be better than a piston powered machine?

[@timonsolus]

@@alastairward2774 : Well, like the Me 163, the Me 263 would have been fast enough to penetrate massive screens of US escort fighters and attack the US bombers (something German piston engined fighters were finding very hard to do by late 1944). Unlike the Me 163, however, the Me 263 probably would have had enough fuel remaining after its attack runs to escape from pursuing US fighters (although it would still be very vulnerable during landing).

[@joewright2304]

This is a fascinating subject. By all means, produce more.

[@showtime112]

Happy to hear it, thank you!

[@josephhaack5711]

Absolutely finish the history of this Innovative fighter. Also Include the flying replica in Germany ( Red, Glider only)

[@showtime112]

Thank you for the feedback!

[@ratagris21]

Excellent presentation always for on Showtime 112! Thank you for all you for all you do, and keeping aviation history alive and well via video format. Education via entertainment is the ticket 🎫 🎟️ to fly. ♠️🎩🎯🎱🇺🇸🏁🇮🇱🇺🇦🔱🌻💮🌼🌸🏴‍☠️🏹

[@ratagris21]

@@Randomly_Browsing yes I am. And you?

[@showtime112]

That's a pretty good formula you've given. Boring education is not effective 😁

[@ratagris21]

@@showtime112 yes another video would be great if you have enough information about it which I figured you do.

[@stevewhisperer6609]

P L E A S E!! By all means, continue with the ME-163 coverage! This video in particular was eerily beautiful. The background music, -163 and -51 views, interspersed with gun camera footage was excellent!

[@showtime112]

Thank you for the positive comment! I'm really glad when I can find historical gun camera footage or radio chatter. Unfortunately, they only come up sometimes.

[@BruceK10032]

Certainly not “tired of” it! Let’s see that fourth chapter!

[@showtime112]

Thank you for the feedback!

[@jdsaldivar5606]

82ND AIRBORNE ME-163... Small and fast...She by passed her Weight with Lethality.

[@showtime112]

Hitting above its weight :)

[@respen43]

Definitely interested in more videos on the ME-163. Would also love to see the same series done for other German jets, even bombing/recon missions with the AR-234. I also love German nightfighers, so doing a deep dive into nightfighter operations would be amazing. Or even odd missions, like the Mistel piggyback planes.

[@showtime112]

Thanks for the feedback! There will be some more of that for sure.

[@juke699]

Yes, Give us the final chapter, very interesting. Videos are extremely well done and balanced.

[@showtime112]

I'm glad you think so, thank you for the feedback!

[@BaldGuy-Marketing]

Yes. Please tell us the story about Komets and the RAF. Thank you.

[@showtime112]

Thank you for the feedback!

[@ronaldbyrne3320]

Please do the final episode. I am fascinated by WWII German jet aircraft, the Me 163 being one of my favourites.

[@showtime112]

Thank you for the comment! Many people seem to be interested in that particular topic.

[@dereksollows9783]

this is a great series. Please carry on to the end.

[@showtime112]

I'm happy to hear it! Thank you for the feedback!

[@PappaBear_yt]

I just love the ever-evolving quality of videos on this channel. Well done, my friend! 👍🏻👏🏻💪🏻🙋🏼‍♂️

[@showtime112]

I'm glad you think the quality is evolving. The production complexity definitely is :)

[@dominiqueroudier9401]

Fantastic work to recreate thèses fights. And also old black and white guncams footage. It is a tribute to the Past. Not easy days😮 Now ..part4👍

[@showtime112]

Thank you again! In this particular topic, I was lucky to find original gun camera. It's rarely the case but I'm particularly happy when I can include that or original radio comms.

[@andrewarmit1411]

Yes please more Comet vids vs. the RAF

[@showtime112]

Thank you for voting!

[@williamcollins4373]

Another awesome video! Please make another video about the Me 163!!

[@showtime112]

Thank you for the comment, glad you liked it!

[@KillerKev1961]

Fascinating, thank you.

[@showtime112]

I'm happy you think so, thank you!

[@RealDarko]

Great video as always, fun thing last week I saw a real Me163 in London Science museum, could had a nice view of it and all thise videos came to mind with the op. missions of the Luftwaffe pilots and the allied men who intercepted them. Good work.

[@showtime112]

Thank you for the comment! On my next visit to London, I should definitely take a look :)

[@infoscholar5221]

More Me-163! Tell us the whole story, please.

[@showtime112]

I appreciate your feedback!

[@stayontarget47]

Great videos my friend. Love the detail and research

[@showtime112]

Thank you very much for the positive feedback!

[@garyfowles648]

Great video's and a great channel, big thumbs up.

[@showtime112]

Great to hear, thank you!

[@donparker1823]

Thanks!

[@showtime112]

Thank you for another donation!

[@SosusTube]

You know we want part 4, stop teasing us

[@showtime112]

:)

[@jeannezehner9450]

Excellent part 3. A detail, the german was the first nation of the world about the glider/sailplane during the 30's, their formation of fighter pilot used a lot the glider. The ME-163 take up this idea when the fuel is exhausted for returning to base. And you find again this idea in the BACHEM BA 349 NATTER which is a real disaster, you could make an episode about this torture device.

[@dominiqueroudier9401]

@@jeannezehner9450 Salut Jeanne. Sur ce zinc là, tu ne savais pas si c'était lui qui allait te tuer ou bien la chasse adverse ou les mitrailleurs en tourelle !! C'était pas des jours faciles pour eux. T'envoie d'autres info séparément 🙋🏖

[@jeannezehner9450]

@@dominiqueroudier9401 Franchement, un vrai suicide à chaque vol !!!

[@dominiqueroudier9401]

@@jeannezehner9450 showtime112 ma dit que il.avait réussi à trouver des films de guncam d'époque et mise dans vidéo. Pour le retard, c'était des vacances courtes. Donc tout va bien, m'a-t-il dit

[@jeannezehner9450]

@@dominiqueroudier9401 Donc peut être épisode 4 avec les avions de la RAF. Oui c'est mis dans le 3.

[@dominiqueroudier9401]

@@jeannezehner9450 t'ai envoyé mail sur F4 E, kills et pertes

[@mmiYTB]

"Let me know in the Komets." 🙃

[@PappaBear_yt]

😂

[@showtime112]

I like that kind of a humor :)

[@adamcooper2211]

Great series of videos. Please, please, please do the final chapter with the RAF engagements. It'll include the only usage with the upward firing rockets and Haslop's 165 Sqn komet kill.

[@showtime112]

Thank you for the comment! Yes, there was one such attack performed by a Komet. It is a bit of a technical challenge to reenact it in a video but maybe I'll find a way.

[@victorhovat3954]

We need a part 4

[@showtime112]

Thank you for the vote!

[@VC27]

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Waiting for Part 4.

[@showtime112]

Thank you for the feedback!

[@XxIceCavexX]

Please feel free to create the video detailing the last chapter of the ME163! Your work is thoroughly enjoyed!

[@showtime112]

I'm glad to hear you like the content, thank you very much!

[@alastairward2774]

Part 4 if you please 👍

[@showtime112]

Thank you for the vote!

[@jimverschueren674]

Love the content keep up the good work 👍 I await the next video with anticipation, I remember seeing a documentary called dogfights a while ago on the history channel and remember a Me163 engaging a RCAF Mosquito, did this one ever occur? Keep the videos coming 🤘👌

[@showtime112]

Thank you for the comment! Yes, there was an engagement between a Me 163 and a Mosquito. It will be covered in the final part.

[@evfarry]

Thanks for your research and work on this bit of history; it’s interesting.

[@showtime112]

Thank you for appreciating it!

[@lombardmordesian]

Great video! Can't wait for the next one

[@showtime112]

Thank you very much for the feedback!

[@rogerkay8603]

Video is superb, love your work

[@showtime112]

I'm happy to hear it, thank you very much!

[@jackwolfangel8779]

Keep up the good work! Looking forward to chapter 4.

[@showtime112]

Thank you for the positive comment!

[@morbidvoy]

Again, another awesome video so episode 4 please. Thank you :)

[@showtime112]

Thank you for the vote!

[@pilotpug]

Yes, one more chapter please!

[@showtime112]

Thank you for the feedback!

[@93Roman]

Please conclude the Me 163 story with the final chapter:)

[@showtime112]

Thank you very much for the feedback!

[@sdcoinshooter]

I know it was dangerous as hell but what a kick it must have been to fly this bird.

[@edwardd9702]

ME163 also was armed with an upward firing weapon that supposesly destroyed a British Lancaster .

[@showtime112]

Some airframes were equipped with that and it was used successfully once, against a Lancaster. But it seems that it was only damaged, not shot down.

[@michaelwicks7680]

Could you please get some videos of me 262 action, that would be great

[@showtime112]

I'll cover some of that in the future, thank you for the suggestion!

[@delfimmarques5014]

More if you please.

[@showtime112]

Noted, thank you!

[@tolik5929]

Didnt blow up on the pad , didnt get straffed gliding in to land ......a good day . Over all life expectancy ? Very short

[@showtime112]

Yeah, that's the basic summary :)

[@guinnog2]

Great video. Looks fun to fly, but very limited. Wish it was in Il-2.

[@showtime112]

Thanks! It is a rather interesting aircraft. I have to confess I haven't actually tried it in WT multiplayer.

[@alflimabr]

If you have further information ,please,share with us! Excellent job!

[@showtime112]

Thank you!

[@branka4226]

Another great video! 👍

[@showtime112]

Thank you very much!

[@shwarz442]

Guardare, I video, di questo canale è sempre interessante ed istruttivo. 👍🍀🤩🙂

[@showtime112]

I'm happy to hear you think so, thank you!

[@badabumbadabing]

Great series! I was under the impression Me-163 was limited to grass airfields, at least for the landing part of it, due to it's, ehm, wheeled undercarriage impairment. Tarmac surprised me, was it confirmed in your sources, am very curious about it. Thx! :)

[@showtime112]

I initially thought so as well but Brandis definitely had a paved runway and many details confirm that they operated from such runways.

[@dannyb3663]

We want the final chapter

[@showtime112]

Thank you for the vote!

[@bigblue6917]

It looks like there were possibly more Me 163 losses than kills by Me 163. Not what you'd call a good record.

[@showtime112]

True, more were lost in accidents. Nevertheless, it still provides for an interesting story. Thank you for commenting!

[@chups1447]

Great video!

[@showtime112]

Thanks Chups!

[@davegoodridge8352]

Great videos!

[@showtime112]

Glad you like them, thank you!

[@Da_Publick]

No, I'm not tired of hearing about the Komet! 🤣 I'm going to start referring to my car's Cruise Control as 'Glide Mode' from now on.

[@showtime112]

Thank you for the feedback! As for that name, it might catch on :)

[@Da_Publick]

@@showtime112 I looked it up: 'Glide Mode' is _whenever_ you coast, taking your foot off the accelerator. So, it's actually what 'Das Komet' was doing. Now I _really_ love this plane! 🤣

[@geetee7154]

I'm sure I read or seen an article on the ME163 Komet where they were fitted with a gun that fired upwards out of the fuselage so they could approach and shoot an enemy plane from the underside, or was that something else 🤔

[@showtime112]

Yes, there was indeed such a weapon and some Me-163 airframes were modified to operate it. It was only used once in combat.

[@geetee7154]

@@showtime112 Many thanks for your response 👍

[@mediapartners9950]

Another excellent and well researched video many thanks 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@showtime112]

Thank you very much for the positive comment! I'm glad somebody has watched the third part too 😁

[@myronplichota7965]

Mano Zeigler's book "Rocket Fighter" is worth a read.

[@guidor.4161]

Looking forward to more!

[@showtime112]

Thank you for commenting!

[@jimkeats891]

MOAR!!! I love the videos. Very informative. No controveral comments (that I could tell). Wonderfully narrated. Beautifully displayed!!!

[@showtime112]

High praise, thank you very much!

[@jimkeats891]

@@showtime112 Well earned!

[@3HOCFRESKO]

Part 4 pls🎉

[@showtime112]

Vote noted, thank you!

[@kristinarain9098]

Incredible! Id love ti see more! And some vids simeday about missions flown with Me 110's , 109 K's, and and and something long an almost gratuitous in detail involving the 110 pls ols pls❤

[@rafaelaldana1503]

awesome video!

[@showtime112]

I'm happy to hear it, thank you!

[@AviReid-gm8lp]

what's your proccess for finding the gun camera clips? love this reenactment 😎

[@showtime112]

Thank you! There's no special process for finding original gun camera footage. I wish there was a database with thousands of clips but there doesn't seem to be one. Simply, when I search for info about a certain story, they sometimes come up.

[@AviReid-gm8lp]

@@showtime112 I go footage hunting sometimes, and I've found a not of gun camera clips Justin on KZbin. Do you seaich on KZbin for stuff? If you do, I've sound a not of good clips (though without much context) from hw97karbine and CriticalPast yt channels👍

[@uflux]

Another episode please!!

[@showtime112]

Thank you for the feedback!