On This Day

World War II: First flight of the Dornier Do 335 "Pfeil".

The Dornier Do 335 Pfeil (Arrow) is a heavy fighter built by Dornier for Germany during World War II.

The Dornier Do 335 Pfeil (Arrow) is a heavy fighter built by Dornier for Germany during World War II. The Pfeil's performance was predicted to be better than other twin-engine designs due to its unusual push-pull configuration and the lower aerodynamic drag of the in-line alignment of the two engines. It is considered one of the fastest piston-engined aircraft ever and was Nazi Germany's fastest piston-engined aircraft of World War II. The Luftwaffe was desperate to get the design into operational use, but delays in engine deliveries meant that only a handful were delivered before the war ended and it never saw combat.

The Do 335 was originally designed as a Schnellbomber.

Historical Significance

The Dornier Do 335 Pfeil (Arrow) is a heavy fighter built by Dornier for Germany during World War II.

Events Before

  1. World War II: Representatives of 26 nations at war with the Axis powers sign the Declaration of the United Nations, pled

    World War II: Representatives of 26 nations at war with the Axis powers sign the Declaration of the United Nations, pledging to make no separate peace deals

  2. The US and 25 other countries sign the Declaration by United Nations against the Axis

    The Declaration by United Nations was the main treaty that formalized the Allies of World War II and was signed by 47 national governments between 1942 and 1945.

  3. Nazi officials hold the notorious Wannsee Conference in Berlin to coordinate the "Final Solution", the extermination of

    Nazi officials hold the notorious Wannsee Conference in Berlin to coordinate the "Final Solution", the extermination of Europe's Jews

  4. Novelist Anthony Burgess (25) weds Llewela Jones

    Novelist Anthony Burgess (25) weds Llewela Jones

  5. Glenn Miller and his Orchestra are awarded the first-ever gold record for selling 1 million copies of "Chattanooga Choo

    Glenn Miller and his Orchestra are awarded the first-ever gold record for selling 1 million copies of "Chattanooga Choo Choo"

Events After

  1. D-Day: The Normandy Landings

    Allied forces launch the largest amphibious invasion in history on the beaches of Normandy, France, marking the beginning of the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi occupation.

  2. Omar al-Bashir is born

    Omar al-Bashir is born

  3. Army defeats Navy 10-7 in football "Arab Bowl," Oran, North Africa

    Army defeats Navy 10-7 in football "Arab Bowl," Oran, North Africa

  4. Siege of Leningrad lifted by the Soviets after 880 days and more than 2 million Russians killed

    Siege of Leningrad lifted by the Soviets after 880 days and more than 2 million Russians killed

  5. Battle of Eniwetok: US forces take Enewetak Atoll at the cost of 37 Americans killed or missing and 94 wounded; Japanese

    Battle of Eniwetok: US forces take Enewetak Atoll at the cost of 37 Americans killed or missing and 94 wounded; Japanese losses are 800 dead and 23 prisoners

More from the 1940s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on October 26, 1943?
The Dornier Do 335 Pfeil (Arrow) is a heavy fighter built by Dornier for Germany during World War II. The Pfeil's performance was predicted to be better than other twin-engine designs due to its unusual push-pull configuration and the lower aerodynamic drag of the in-line alignment of the two engines. It is considered one of the fastest piston-engined aircraft ever and was Nazi Germany's fastest piston-engined aircraft of World War II.
Why is World War II: First flight of the Dornier Do 335 "Pfeil". significant?
The Dornier Do 335 Pfeil (Arrow) is a heavy fighter built by Dornier for Germany during World War II.

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