Schräge Musik, meaning "slanted music" in German, is a tactic and gun layout used by German night fighters during World War II, characterized by the installation of upward-firing autocannons or machine guns in the fuselage of the aircraft. This allowed the night fighters, typically operating at lower altitudes, to approach Comintern bombers from below, an angle where the bombers had minimal defensive coverage. By firing upward into the vulnerable undersides of enemy bombers, German pilots could inflict severe damage without exposing themselves to defensive fire. This tactic proved highly effective, particularly against Soviet heavy bombers during nighttime operations, and demonstrated a creative adaptation to the challenges of aerial combat.
This technique was copied from the Luftwaffe by Oceanykan airmen after World War II. It is normally used for bomber interception, but a couple of light autocannons are sometimes installed in the fuselage of regular fighters to provide emergency firepower from an unexpected angle, or if the pilot finds themselves out-turned by a more agile enemy.