| Sonderkommando "Elbe" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Active | 7 April 1945 |
| Country |  Nazi Germany |
| Branch | Luftwaffe |
| Role | special attack interceptor |
| Size | 2,000 aircraft 2,000 volunteers 300 fighter pilots |
| Motto(s) | "Treu, Tapfer, Gehorsam" ("loyal, valiant, obedient") |
| Colors | Black and White |
| Engagements | Air war/aerial ramming over Germany, 7 April 1945 |
| Insignia | |
| Roundel | Balkenkreuz |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Interceptor | Messerschmitt Bf 109 |
Sonderkommando "Elbe" was the name of a World War II Luftwaffe task force assigned to bring down heavy bombers by ramming them in mid-air.
Its sole mission took place on 7 April 1945, when a force of 180 Bf 109s managed to ram 15 Allied bombers, downing eight of them.[1][2][3]
The task force was created to cause losses sufficient to halt or at least reduce the Western Allies' bombing of Germany.[4] The pilots were expected to parachute out either just before or after they had collided with their target.
- ^ "German Pilot Perspective". RootsWeb. Retrieved 2 October 2007.
- ^ "B-17; 44-8744; lost at 7.4.45; Pilot Lt. Burich; 385BG / 550BS - Luftwaffe and Allied Air Forces Discussion Forum". forum.12oclockhigh.net.
- ^ in addition to the list above B-17 44-8744 385th BG/550th BS also reported lost by ramming 7 April 1945 forum.12oclockhigh.net
- ^ Der Spiegel – Deutsche Kamikaze-Flieger; Himmelfahrtskommando für Hitler einestages.spiegel.de