In the 1930s, Germany started to develop it's bomber force. First came bombers like the Ju-52 and Ju-86, which were fine for an airforce which was just starting out. But bigger and better bombers were needed. Enter the He-111, Ju-88, Do-17, and Ju-87. Germany, like Japan, Italy, and Russia, did not do very much development with strategic bombers. It was thought that many small, fast bombers could devestate the enemy just as well as a few large, slower bombers. The German's force of small bombers was fine for hitting tactical targets. But against strategic targets is where it failed terribly. During the Battle of Britain, the small bombers didn't have enough range or ability to carry bomb loads to many important British targets. They were also vulnerable to fighter attack and thus had to have a fighter escort to operate over enemy territory. Many bombers were shot down over Britain and the Luftwaffe suffered it's first major defeat. As the war went on, new bombers like the Ju-188 and the He-177 were developed. But not many of these were built and the ones that were were used in the wrong roles. As Allied bombers attacked Germany around the clock, bomber production almost stopped completely as fighter production was put into high gear. The end of the German bomber force was closing rapidly. Hitler's bombers were now being used as guided missiles or weren't being used at all. The once proud bomber force was cannablized.
Junkers Ju-88
Heinkel He-111
Dornier Do-17
Junkers Ju-87
