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Messerschmitt Bf 110 was a twin-engine heavy fighter in the service of the Luftwaffe during World War II. Later in the war it was changed to fighter-bomber and night fighter operations, and it became the major night fighter type of the Luftwaffe.
Based around the concept of the long-range Zerstörer or “Destroyer Fighter” the Bf 110 enjoyed some success in the Polish and French campaigns. However, the Battle of Britain revealed its fatal weaknesses as a daylight fighter against single-engine aircraft. Its size and weight meant that it had high wing loading, which limited its manoeuvrability. Furthermore, although it had a slightly higher top speed than contemporary RAF Hurricanes, it had poor acceleration.
Eventually withdrawn from daylight fighting, the Bf 110 enjoyed later success as a nightfighter where its range, firepower and ability to mount a radar stood it in good stead. It was also used as a ground attack aircraft starting with the C-4/B model, and as a bomber interceptor, where its heavy firepower was particularly useful. Later on there were dedicated ground attack versions which proved reasonably successful. The Bf 110 served the Luftwaffe extensively in various roles, except in its intended role as a heavy fighter.
After the Battle of Britain Bf 110 units were largely moved to the Russian and Mediterranean theatres of war. The production of the Bf 110 was put on a low priority in 1941, although it was stepped up again in 1942 due to problems and delays in the development of the Bf 110’s successor, the Me 210. Although the Me 210 entered service in mid-1941, it was eventually withdrawn in favour of a further development, between it and the Me 410, which did not enter service until early 1943; there were insufficient aircraft to fully replace the Bf 110 in that role and it fought until the end of the war. The lack of a real replacement even resulted in the increase of Bf 110 production in 1944, in spite of hopes of phasing out the type.