The Messerschmitt Bf 110, Zerstorer (Destroyer) was developed in the 1930s and used by the Luftwaffe during World War II. The Bf 110 served with considerable initial success in the early campaigns in Poland, Norway and France, but its lack of agility in the air was exploited when flying as close escort for German bombers during the Battle of Britain. Some Bf 110-equipped units were redeployed as night fighters, a role to which the aircraft was well suited.