Messerschmitt Me 321 and Me 323 Gigant: books - history

Messerschmitt Me 321/323 - Giants of the Luftwaffe

This book covers the use and development of one the Luftwaffe's largest planes, the Messerschmitt Me 321/323.

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Messerschmitt Me 321/323 - The Luftwaffe's Giants in World War II

The Luftwaffe's legendary Messerschmitt Gigant is covered is this large, detailed, and highly illustrated volume. The huge Me 321 glider with a wingspan of 55 meters was towed by three Bf 110s, or a five-engined He 111Z. The Me 323, powered by 6 engines, was the motorized version.

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Messerschmitt-Giganten und der Fliegerhorst Regensburg-Obertraubling 1936 - 1945

The Messerschmitt giants were the first aircraft in World War II capable of airlifting heavy equipment such as artillery, trucks, and tanks. With a wingspan of 55 meters, the Me 321 was the largest aircraft in the German Luftwaffe. From 1941 onward, the Me 321 operated as a glider, later followed by the six-engine Me 323 transport aircraft, both serving until nearly the end of the war. They played a key role in critical moments, such as in the Mediterranean in 1943 and on the Eastern Front in 1944. The last Me 323 was delivered from Obertraubling in April 1944.

Closely linked to these aircraft is the history of the Regensburg-Obertraubling airbase, which gained importance again in late 1944 when the Me 262 was prepared for deployment. This first operational jet fighter was the fastest combat aircraft of the war. No other Luftwaffe airbase was as involved in aircraft production or bombed as frequently.

This book provides a historical overview of this chapter in German aviation history and includes numerous previously unpublished photos in the appendix.

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