Operational History
Several reconnaissance missions were flown by operational Ju 388s, generally believed to be "L" models, during the final days of the war in Europe. Most were flights over England, and were similar to the reconnaissance missions being flown by the jet-powered Arado Ar 234 at the same time period.
In early 1945, a Ju 388 was intercepted while flying at approximately 13,500 m (44,291 ft) over the English Channel by a Supermarine Spitfire. The Spitfire, operating above its service ceiling, was not able to reach the altitude of the Ju 388 but was able to fire upon it from below and bring it down. It is believed that this was the highest altitude shoot-down of World War II.
Four Ju 388 night fighters were deployed for evaluation in NJG 2 in 1945. It is not known if they gained any victories.
Read more about this topic: Junkers Ju 388
Famous quotes containing the word history:
“The history of all Magazines shows plainly that those which have attained celebrity were indebted for it to articles similar in natureto Berenicealthough, I grant you, far superior in style and execution. I say similar in nature. You ask me in what does this nature consist? In the ludicrous heightened into the grotesque: the fearful coloured into the horrible: the witty exaggerated into the burlesque: the singular wrought out into the strange and mystical.”
—Edgar Allan Poe (18091849)