An interesting little known WW2 fact I never knew… Watch the video.
How did the 109 have the range to fly to Ireland?
Come to think of it, that is a very good question.
Rudolf Hess did it.(one way flight though)
Have to remember, the battle over Britain did not involve just fighter aircraft. I think the movie is generalizing a bit much, making it more romanticized by having fighter pilots crashing in neutral Ireland. The first Germans interned was a bomber crew, which is more plausible…
http://www.esatclear.ie/~curragh/klines.htm
As for Hess, he flew to Scotland on a peace mission, his aircraft being the twin engined Me110 and also had an extra large fuel tank installed for this very purpose.
regards,
Jack
This links you to an article concerning interned aircrew and the types of aircraft they were flying in when they landed in Ireland. It is some pretty good reading.