Heinkel was a German aircraft manufacturer founded by Ernst Heinkel at Rostock-Warnemünde in 1922. Its work encompassed aircraft for commercial and military purposes, including the He 111 bomber and experimental jet propulsion. The company was also a major participant in the Nazi aviation industry's use of concentration-camp labour.[1][2]
Bombers and military production
The He 111 became one of the best-known products of the company. Developed under the cover of an airliner project, it served extensively as a twin-engine medium bomber during the late 1930s and early years of the Second World War. During the Battle of Britain, inadequate defensive armament, limited speed and poor manoeuvrability left it vulnerable to fighter attack. Later versions undertook other tasks, including paratroop transport. This variety of applications prolonged the use of the basic design beyond its original bomber role.[3]
Experimental propulsion
Heinkel's research included aircraft driven by rocket and turbojet engines. The He 176 used a Walter rocket powerplant, while the He 178 was designed around the HeS 3 turbojet. The He 178 made its first test flights on 27 August 1939 and was subsequently demonstrated to Luftwaffe officials in November. These experiments preceded the large-scale introduction of operational jet aircraft. They established Heinkel as an important industrial participant in early gas-turbine flight while remaining distinct from its more numerous conventional military aircraft.[4]
Forced labour and later engineering
From 1940, managers at the Heinkel Oranienburg plant requested prisoners from Sachsenhausen concentration camp. Almost 7,000 prisoners were working for the concern at that location in June 1944. Research by the Sachsenhausen Memorial examines the responsibility of Ernst Heinkel and senior employees through company records, court evidence and testimony. After the war, Heinkel again participated in aircraft engineering, including collaboration with Bölkow and Messerschmitt on the Entwicklungsring Süd VJ 101 experimental vertical-take-off fighter.[2][5]