When the North American P-51 Mustang appeared in large numbers over Europe in late 1943, it practically spelled the end of the Luftwaffe's air superiority over Germany. This powerful fighter, with its enormous range, was capable of escorting heavy Allied bombers deep into the German Reich and back. The P-47 Thunderbolts and P-38 Lightnings used until then neither had the necessary range nor were they able to defeat the aircraft types of the German Luftwaffe in service at that time. The P-51 Mustang, which was originally developed in response to a requirement from the British Royal Air Force, quickly proved to be the urgently needed long-range fighter to achieve air supremacy over Europe. The Mustang was brought to the front in large numbers, and the USAAF pilots, due to their numerical superiority and better pilot training, were able to destroy over 5000 enemy aircraft. The P-51 Mustang was probably the decisive fighter aircraft of the Second World War, and the superior fighter aircraft of its time. This only changed in late 1944 when the German Luftwaffe had the excellent aircraft types of the Focke Wulf TA-152, probably the best piston-engine fighter, and the world-famous Me 262, the world's first operational jet fighter, at its disposal. However, these aircraft came too late and in far too small numbers to stop the huge Allied formations.