Sonderkommando Elbe
| Sonderkommando "Elbe" | |
|---|---|
| Active | 7 April 1945 |
| Country | Nazi Germany |
| Branch | Luftwaffe |
| Role | special attack interceptor |
| Size | 2,000 aircraft 2,000 volunteers 300 fighter pilots |
| Motto(s) | "Treu, Tapfer, Gehorsam" ("loyal, valiant, obedient") |
| Colors | Black and White |
| Engagements | Air war/aerial ramming over Germany, 7 April 1945 |
| Insignia | |
| Roundel | Balkenkreuz |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Interceptor | Messerschmitt Bf 109 |
Sonderkommando "Elbe" was the name of a World War II Luftwaffe task force assigned to bring down heavy bombers by ramming them in mid-air.
Its sole mission took place on 7 April 1945, when a force of 180 Bf 109s managed to ram 15 Allied bombers, downing eight of them.
The task force was created to cause losses sufficient to halt or at least reduce the Western Allies' bombing of Germany. The pilots were expected to parachute out either just before or after they had collided with their target.