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German Gliders
Germany employed three basic types of gliders (for transports) in North Africa and Mediterranean service during World War II: the DFS-230, the Gotha Go-242, and the Messerschmitt Me-321 Gigant. Entering service in 1938, the DFS 230 could carry 8 airborne troops and proved to be the standard assault glider used by the Germany army during the war, with approximately 1,500 being constructed. Introduced in late 1941, the Gotha Go-242 could carry up to 23 airborne troops or the equivalent weight in supplies. As one of the largest aircraft of the war, the Messerschmitt Me-321 Gigant was capable of carrying up to 120 troops, 21,500 lb of freight, or 60 wounded soldiers. The Go-242 and Me-321 served primarily to bring food and critical supplies to German soldiers. Powered versions, the Go-244 and Me-323, were also developed for transport service. The slow Me-323, in particular, was devastated in attempts to carry critically needed supplies to the DAK and with the “Allies” decrypting of coded messages by “ULTRA” of German operational for flights, shipping, escort, etc. A “Special Operation” to destroy a railway bridge in Algeria between Morsott and Tebessa by Fallschirmjäger, to slow the “Allied” advance from Morocco and Algeria into Tunisia. This operation was attempted from Bizerte by 3.Kp./Korps-Falls. Pi. Btl. “Witzig” unit from gliders. Oblt. Friedrich, whom commanded the operation, and his Tunisian scout were the only two of the troop to return! Types in service - DFS 230 - the world's first assault glider. Teams in this glider took Fort Eben-Emael in Holland in the world's first air assault.
- Gotha Go242 - a medium-sized glider used in supply or "Special Missions" .
- Gotha Go244 - a Go242 glider with engines used as transport on the Eastern Front.
- Messerschmitt Me321 Gigant - a giant-sized glider used to deliver several tons of supplies, vehicles or a company of troops.
- Messerschmitt Me323D Gigant - a Me321 glider with engine, creating a huge (if unwieldy) transport. Used in Russia and to supply Rommel in North Africa (until many were shot down in droves off Cape Bon).
- Messerschmitt Me323E Gigant – Strengthened & toughened-up version
Glider Pilot: Lastenseegelflugzeugführer
Knights Cross awarded to Leutnant Elimar Meyer - Lastenseegelflugzeugführer (Gliderpilot) in einem Luftlandegeschwader)  From "Der Adler"
German Glider Types in North African Service
DFS-230
The DFS 230 was a light German transport glider operated by the Luftwaffe in World War II. It was developed by the (Deutsche Forschungsanstalt für Segelflug (DFS - "German Research Institute for Sailplane Flight") with Hans Jacobs as the head designer. The glider was the German inspiration for the British Hotspur glider and was intended for paratrooper assault operations. The glider could carry 10 soldiers with equipment or a payload of about 1,200 kg. They were used in the landings at Fort Eben-Emael, Belgium and Crete, as well as in North Africa and in the rescue of Benito Mussolini. A “Special Operation” to destroy a railway bridge in Algeria between Morsott and Tebessa by Fallschirmjäger, to slow the “Allied” advance from Morocco and Algeria into Tunisia. This operation was attempted from leaving Bizerte by 3.Kp./Korps-Falls. Pi. Btl. “Witzig” unit from gliders. Oblt. Friedrich, whom commanded the operation, and his Tunisian scout were the only two of the troop to return! The first of the two DFS-230 gliders used in the operation was coded SI+WP…
Gotha Go-242
Go-242 and the Me-323 started 'life' as gliders, to which engines were later added and the modified design was found to not be of great benefit to these slow and bulky aircraft. Cargo versions of the glider featured a hinged rear fuselage that could accommodate a Kübelwagen or loads of similar size and weight. Two prototypes flew in 1941 and the type quickly entered production. A total of 1,528 were built, some of which had engines fitted to become the Go-244. Go-242s were towed into the air by Heinkel He-111s or Junkers Ju 52s, and occasionally were fitted with RATO equipment. Most saw service in the Mediterranean and Aegean. 
The glider was even tested with rockets for overloaded take offs. A rack of four 48 kilogram Rheinmetall 109-502 take off rockets was mounted on the rear of the cargo compartment. A second rocket called the "R Device" was also used with the glider - it was a liquid-fuel Heinkel rocket engine R I-203 (HWK 109-500A). The rocket was mounted under the wing on either side of the body and was ejected after takeoff, parachuting down to be recycled. 
Variants Go 242A-1 - initial cargo-carrying version Go 242A-2 - initial troop-carrying version Go 242B-1 - cargo version with jettisonable landing gear Go 242B-2 - B-1 with improved landing gear Go 242B-3 - troop-carrying version of B-1 with double rear doors Go 242B-4 - troop-carrying version with doors of B-3 and landing gear of B-2 Go 242B-5 - training version with dual controls Go 242C-1 - maritime assault version with flying boat-style hull. Not used operationally
Specifications (Go 242B-3) Type: Transport Glider
Origin: Gothaer Waggonfabrik AG
Models: A - C
First Flight: Early 1941
Service Delivery: N/A
Final Delivery: N/A
Number Built: 1,528
(133 later fitted with engines, thus becoming the Go-244)
Crew: One or Two Pilots Dimensions:
Wing span: 24.50m (80 ft. 4½ in.)
Length: 15.81m (51 ft. 10 in.)
Height: 4.40m (14 ft. 4½ in.)
Wing Surface Area: 64.4 m² (693 ft²) Aspect ratio: 16:1 | | Weights:
Empty: 3200 kg (7,056 lbs.)
Maximum: 7100 kg (15,655 lbs.)
Performance: Maximum speed: 188 mph, 300 km/h (162 knots)
Maximum Speed (On Tow): 149 mph (240km/h)
Initial climb: N/A
Service Ceiling: N/A
Armament:
Up To four 7.92mm MG 15 machine guns |
Messerschmitt Me-323 "Gigant"
Gigant
Surviving Museum Examples
Surviving aircraft Gotha Go-242 - Musée de la Resistance du Vercors. Valence, France Gotha Go-242 C-1 - Technik Museum and Luftwaffen Museum. Berlin, Germany
Bibliography
“German Gliders in World War II” Nowarra, Heinz, Schiffer Publishing Ltd., ISBN 0887403581 Circa 1991 More...
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