The Messerschmitt Me 262, nicknamed Schwalbe (German for 'swallow', in fighter versions) and Sturmvogel ('petrel', in attack versions), was the world'...s first jet fighter to enter service. It was designed and built in Germany during World War II and entered service with the Luftwaffe in 1944 as a fighter aircraft. However, it was also used for other tasks including ground attack, reconnaissance and even night fighter versions.