The Luftwaffe had a deep and often grudging respect for the P-51 Mustang, considering it one of the most formidable fighters they faced during World War II.
Luftwaffe pilots, including some of their top aces, recognized the Mustang’s superior range, speed, agility, and heavy armament, which made it a game-changer in the air war over Europe.
The P-51 Mustang’s long range allowed it to escort American bombers deep into German territory, nullifying the Luftwaffe’s tactic of attacking unescorted bombers.
Its powerful Packard-built Merlin engine gave it exceptional speed and high-altitude performance, making it a dangerous opponent in dogfights. German pilots found that the Mustang could not only match their best fighters, such as the Bf 109 and Fw 190, but often outmaneuver them due to its speed and tight turning radius.
Luftwaffe ace Adolf Galland admitted that the arrival of the P-51 Mustang marked the turning point in the air war over Europe.
Many German pilots regarded the Mustang as the “most dangerous enemy fighter” because it could appear anywhere and had the range to maintain pressure on the Luftwaffe over its own airfields. The Mustang’s durability, combined with the aggressive tactics of American pilots, made it a relentless adversary that forced the Luftwaffe to fight on the defensive.