The Luftwaffe faced a critical problem. Building a strategic bomber capable of penetrating deep into the Soviet Union required engines with at least 2,000 horsepower—an unheard-of feat at the time.

In a daring gamble, Heinkel Flugzeugwerke took a colossal risk. They fused two Daimler-Benz DB 601 engines, creating the monstrous Daimler-Benz DB 606 power system. With these twin powerhouses, they crafted the Heinkel He 177 Greif, effectively one of Germany’s first four-engine bombers.

The result was revolutionary: a massive warbird capable of reaching 565 kilometers per hour, outrunning many contemporary bombers and boasting an exceptional range of up to 6,500 kilometers. Armed to the teeth with 7.92 millimeter MG 81 machine guns and a 20 millimeter MG 151 cannon, it provided robust defense against enemy fighters. It could carry up to 6,000 kilograms of bombs, including Germany’s heaviest aerial ordnance and guided missiles like the Fritz X.

This innovative engine configuration proved to be its Achilles’ heel. The He 177’s engines were prone to overheating and catching fire, leading to a series of catastrophic incidents. Crews soon nicknamed it “The Flaming Coffin,” “One Way Bomber,” or “Volcano.” Even Hitler and Goering despised the warplane.

Despite its flaws, the He 177 remained Germany’s only long-range heavy bomber. Against all odds, brave pilots pushed the flaming coffin to its limits, determined to transform it into a weapon that could change the course of the war.