Developed during the First World War, the Fokker D-VII had a difficult start. Not until April 1918 did the German squadrons on the western and southern fronts receive Fokker D-VIIs equipped with a 160-horsepower Mercedes D III engine. But the aircraft’s power proved insufficient against the Allied aircraft. The aircraft manufacturer Anthony Fokker then replaced the Mercedes engine with a 185 hp BMW IIIa engine. Its performance greatly improved and the pilots found themselves smiling again. The Fokkers were to spread terror in the ranks of the Allies during the last months of the war.