Escort Fighters

"Die Flieger der deutschen Luftwaffe gaben dem Flugzeug wegen seines eigenartigen Äußeren und der enormen Feuerkraft bald die Spitznamen „Doppelschwanz“, „Gabelschwanz“ oder „Gabelschwanzteufel“."
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_P-38

 

Was he a Luftwaffe pilot?

 

I have seen the fork-tailed devil variously attributed to: Luftwaffe pilots, German infantry, the Japanese, Stars & Stripes, and

Of course, the 49th Fighter Squadron.
http://www.15thaf.org/XV%20FC/305th%20FW/14th%20FG/49th%20FS/index.htm

The Fork Tailed Devil patch during the war.

The pilot seen here, Lt. George W. Baird, Jr., was shot down and killed on November 26, 1944.

 

The legend is that the Japanese troops called the F4U "Whistling Death".

You can get a good idea why by watching this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBUKiKvl29Q

 

How can you say it was definitely not Jagdwaffe pilots who originated that term? Or make the statement that it was probably a fabrication that was dreamt up Allied intelligence? Your assumptions seem a bit assumed one way and gospel on the other.

By your assumption, I guess German troops who faced the US 30th Infantry Division in NW Europe didn't refer to them respectfully as "Roosevelt's SS", or US paratroopers in the 82nd Airborne Division as "Devils in Baggy Pants".

Combat troops in all armies in all wars had both respect and contempt for their adversaries. And had nicknames for them too.

 

No. He just saw them in the sky. So this term was popular in Germany.

I guess you had to be very careful when walking or cycling around in the last months of the war and you have to learn which planes are dangerous.

 

The German fighter pilot interviewed post war stated that the P38 was a good escort fighter, but had poor visibility to rear and sides. At least one said that the P38 was the target of choice.

 

Was ready to post - Whispering Death, but that was for the Beaufighter...MrT is quick, and more than occasionally correct.

 

..anyone can quote wikipedia....

".. Allied propaganda claimed it had been nicknamed the fork-tailed devil by the Luftwaffe and "two planes, one pilot"(2飛行機、1パイロット Ni hikōki, ippairotto?) by the Japanese..." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_P-38_Lightning