For years, many have argued that Germany would have won the air war if the Me 262 had entered combat earlier. They say Hitler's decision to introduce this jet as a bomber instead of a fighter caused a fatal delay in the plane's finding its true effectiveness. The truth is, Hitler's order had virtually no effect upon the combat availability of the Me 262. The plane's arrival was delayed first by a lack of production engines and then by testing difficulties. Finally, and most fatally, Germany had huge problems introducing a new jet fighter into combat when it did not have air superiority.
