Editing Arado Ar 234 Blitz (section)

==Operational history==
By 1944, the Luftwaffe's bombing capability had been severely reduced from attrition across multiple fronts,<ref name = "forsythbeal 9">Forsyth and Beale 2020, p. 9.</ref> and despite the advance offered by the pending arrival of production Ar 234s, there was a shortage of experienced pilots. The first unit-level type conversion orders were issued to III/KG 76 in May 1944 and personnel had to be pulled from the front lines and brought to central Germany for aircraft and engine familiarisation,<ref name = "forsythbeal 912">Forsyth and Beale 2020, pp. 9-12.</ref> which was facilitated with two-seat [[Messerschmitt Me 262]]s.<ref name = "forsythbeal 43">Forsyth and Beale 2020, p. 43.</ref>

Challenges were encountered getting the Ar 234 operational, including poor quality of worksmanship, and severe shortages of certain resources, such as fuel.<ref name = "forsythbeal 189">Forsyth and Beale 2020, pp. 18-19.</ref> The reliability of the Jumo 004 engines would worsen over time, a trend attributed to using ill-suited fuels.<ref name = "bauduin 53">Bauduin 2014, p. 53.</ref> The engines suffered from frequent  [[flameout]]s and had to be overhauled or replaced after roughly ten hours of operation, although as ground crews became more skilled, the time needed to swap engines was reduced.<ref name = "forsythbeal 45">Forsyth and Beale 2020, p. 45.</ref> The aircraft's lengthy takeoff runs were responsible for several accidents and attempts at resolution included improvements to pilot training and the use of jettisonable liquid fuel [[Walter HWK 109-500|''Starthilfe'']] rocket-assisted takeoff units, mounted under each outer wing.<ref name = "forsythbeal 25">Forsyth and Beale 2020, p. 25.</ref> Accidents would often be fatal due to the lack of an [[ejection seat]], the pilot instead having to exit via a highly impractical hatch in the floor.<ref name = "bauduin 53"/>

During August 1944, several of Ar 234 prototypes - including six surviving Ar 234A-series prototypes were dispatched on aerial reconnaissance missions. The seventh prototype would perform the first reconnaissance mission over the United Kingdom by a Luftwaffe jet.<ref name = "dorr 1134">Dorr 2013, pp. 113-114.</ref> These reconnaissance flights helped assess the potential for an Allied naval invasion of the [[Netherlands]].<ref name = "bauduin 51">Bauduin 2014, p. 51.</ref> [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] piston-engine fighters proved unable to intercept them, being incapable of matching their speed and altitude.<ref name = "forsythbeal 77">Forsyth and Beale 2020, p. 77.</ref>

During the autumn of 1944, the first Ar 234Bs began entering service. Early missions included attacks in the [[Low Countries]], at the [[Antwerp]] docks and a [[Brussels]] railway station.<ref name = "forsythbeal 524">Forsyth and Beale 2020, pp. 52-54.</ref> The type was used directly against Allied units during the [[Battle of the Bulge]], and in January 1945, Ar 234s attacked artillery positions to the north of [[Bastogne]].<ref name = "forsythbeal 54">Forsyth and Beale 2020, p. 54.</ref><ref name = "lepage 188">LePage 2009, p. 188.</ref> One month later, the Allies were able to capture a crashed Ar 234 after it had been forced down by a [[Republic P-47 Thunderbolt]].<ref name = "bauduin 52"/> The type also saw action in Northern Italy.<ref name = "forsythbeal 70">Forsyth and Beale 2020, p. 70.</ref>

Perhaps the most notable use of the Ar 234 in the bomber role was the attempt to destroy the [[Ludendorff Bridge]] at [[Remagen]].<ref>{{citation |url = http://airandspace.si.edu/collections/artifact.cfm?id=A19600312000 |title = Arado Ar 234 B-2 Blitz (Lightning) |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160505235006/http://airandspace.si.edu/collections/artifact.cfm?id=A19600312000 |archive-date = 5 May 2016 |publisher = Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum |access-date = 27 May 2013}}</ref> Between 7 March, when it was captured by the Allies, and 17 March, when it finally collapsed, the bridge was continually attacked by III/KG 76 Ar 234s carrying {{cvt|1000|kg}} bombs. Most attacks missed the bridge, and heavy losses were experienced from ground-based anti-aircraft guns due to the low altitude these attacks were made from.<ref name = "bauduin 57">Bauduin 2014, p. 57.</ref><ref name = "dorr 210">Dorr 2013, p. 210.</ref>

By 10 April 1945, 38 operational Ar 234s were reportedly on strength, including 24 reconnaissance aircraft, 12 bombers, and two night-fighters.<ref name = "bauduin 57">Bauduin 2014, p. 57.</ref> However, most of these sat waiting for fuel and qualified personnel.

The Ar 234 continued to fly combat missions until the [[German Instrument of Surrender|surrender of Germany]] on 8 May 1945.<ref name = "bauduin 57"/> Several were destroyed by [[anti-aircraft warfare|anti-aircraft guns]], or "bounced" by Allied [[Fighter aircraft|fighter]]s during takeoff or on landing when the jets were flying slow and straight, and were most vulnerable. This technique had already been used against Messerschmitt Me 262 jet. Many were captured by the Allies.<ref name = "bauduin 57"/><ref name = "dorr 249">Dorr 2013, p. 249.</ref>