View of a flying German bomber Heinkel He-111 from the cockpit of another He-111.

Flying Heinkel He-111

The Gotha Go 145 was the first aircraft produced by the famous WW1 Gotha aircraft works on its re-establishment in 1935.  What its original intended use might have been is open to some conjecture.  The aircraft was developed very quickly (effectively skipping the prototype stage), and was quickly adopted by the newborn Luftwaffe, presumably, because it was of an established, reliable type that could be produced in large numbers to take part in fly-pasts at political events.  Since it was obvious, by 1935, that this type was obsolete as a potential fighter or light bomber, the substantial number of Go 145s produced were available for the very opportune use as a powered flight trainer for the Luftwaffe - something they badly needed to convert their substantial number of glider-trained potential recruits into fully operational military pilots.  Interestingly, from 1942, this aircraft was used extensively to conduct nocturnal  "nuisance raids" against the Soviets on the Eastern Front, a direct response to the activities of the Soviet "Night Witch" and other units conducting nuisance light bombing operations against the Germans, using the (even more obsolete) Policarpov Po-2 "Crop Duster" biplanes.  The Go 145 continued in service as a trainer and in "nuisance" operations almost to the end of the war, making it the Luftwaffe's longest-serving aircraft.  Best regards, JR.

Gotha Go 145.

Heinkel 111 H-3 photographed in flight from adjacent aeroplane.  This photo is attributed "circa 1940" - which is probably accurate, although some details might suggest a slightly later date.  Apart from full subtypes, the H-3 subtype had a number of slightly differing sub-sub types, making it difficult to be certain.  

Originally developed as a military aircraft under cover of a civilian airliner programme, the He 111 was the "workhorse" medium bomber of the Luftwaffe, affording a better "menu" of survivability, bomb-load and range than other German types, notwithstanding the fact that the Junkers Ju-88 outclassed it in particular respects.  The He-111 was particularly important in the Polish and Western campaigns, through to the Battle of Britain and the subsequent "Blitz" against British cities.  One wonders, however, whether crewmembers in the "nose" always appreciated the innovative high-vision design which, while it had obvious advantages, must have left them feeling very exposed.  Best regards, JR.