The Luftwaffe and D-Day

Examining the myth of the lack of German air activity over the Normandy beachhead

When looking at D-Day, 6 June 1944, a mythology has grown up around the Luftwaffe and its lack of activity. In his book The Longest Day, Cornelius Ryan made reference to the overflight of the beaches made around 8am by Oberstleutnant Josef ‘Pips’ Priller and his wingman Unteroffizier Heinz Wodarczyk in their Focke-Wulf Fw-190s, something which was recreated in the 1963 film of the same name.

Heinz Reincke in the role as JG 26 commander Josef ‘Pips’ Priller in the movie The Longest Day. Bottom: the two Messerschmitt Bf 108s which were used as stand-ins for Focke-Wulf 190s.