Gotha G.II

The Gotha G.II set the design trend for all subsequent Gotha bombers, with twin engines and a crew of three, with one gunner forward and another aft. Its biggest limitation was the use of Mercedes D.IV engines, the bane of every twin-engine plane designed for its use, due to vibration problems. Staffel 20 of KG4 used eight of them operationally, but their missions were likely limited by engine failures. The Gotha G.III switched to the more reliable Mercedes D.IVa engines instead.

While the prototype was in testing, the small production run was under way, with the first plane being delivered in late April 1916. Further testing ensued and it wasn't until Sept-Oct 1916 that they became operational.