dive bomber german dive bomber ground attack aircraft designed flew combat debut luftwaffe spanish civil war served axis forces world war aircraft easily inverted wings fixed leading edges main gear legs mounted trumpet propaganda symbol german air power victories design included innovative features including automatic pull dive brakes wings ensure aircraft recovered attack dive pilot high forces operated considerable success close air support anti shipping outbreak world war spearheaded air assaults september following year crucial rapid conquest netherlands belgium france targets accurate effective ground targets like dive bombers war vulnerable modern fighter aircraft lack speed defensive armament meant required heavy fighter escort operate effectively operated success precision ground attack aircraft valuable german forces african mediterranean theaters early stages eastern general ground support anti shipping role effective specialised anti tank aircraft luftwaffe lost air superiority fronts easy target enemy fighter aircraft despite developments better replacement type continued produced end conflict largely replaced ground attack versions use days war estimated versions built august notable airmen flew successful ace highly decorated german second world war vast majority german ground attack aces flew aircraft point careers development early design principal designer held opinion dive bomber design needed simple robust led technical innovations retractable discarded favour distinctive features fixed continued carry developing adding ideas killed flying accident november produced underwent testing september military version designated nazis came power design given priority despite initial competition german aviation ministry turned designs designer trials double vertical introduced rear gunner better field fire main distinctive feature double inverted wings death continued development dive bomber registration originally fitted engine producing machine fitted dive brakes dive testing aircraft given good evaluation exhibited good flying characteristics took immediate liking concept dive bombing flying hawk invited watch perform trial flight artillery range raised doubts capability dive bomber began dive released bombs barely recovering pulling dive chief secretary state aviation feared high level nerves skill expected average pilots luftwaffe development continued growing love affair dive bomber pushed forefront german aviation development went far advocate medium bombers dive bombing capabilities initially doomed dedicated strategic heavy bomber design enter german line service war years meter wingspan having airframe design examining design details november perform medium angle missions germany operational heavy bomber september tasked mission profile meter wingspan airframe evolution design begun powered british rolls engine engines ordered april shillings prototype built sweden secretly brought germany late completed april inadequate strength airframe construction completed october complete non essential parts took maiden flight september aircraft originally carry registration later given registration flight report stated problem small caused power plant powered cylinder liquid cooled engine twin tail crashed january near dresden killing chief test pilot engineer square twin fins proved weak collapsed aircraft crashed entered inverted spin testing terminal dynamic pressure dive crash prompted change single vertical tail design withstand strong forces dive heavy plating fitted frame fuselage early additions included installation hydraulic dive brakes fitted leading edge rotate interested impressed relied british engine late suggested fitting line engine final variant equipped accepted interim solution reworking design began january test flight carried months lack adequate aircraft january crash destroyed machine second prototype design problems twin removed single tail fin installed fears stability shortage power plants instead engine fitted delays set testing february march second prototype finally fitted power plant year later replaced testing went pilot flight captain praised performance told representative chief engineer stood little chance luftwaffe main dive bomber opinion june ordered cessation development favour rival design cancelled order day development continued july crashed prototype day visiting communicate telephone according version story warned propeller failed consider dive engine propeller broke away immediately incident announced winner development contest design despite chosen design lacking drew frequent criticism testing prototype early revealed problems climb minutes bomb load cruising speed mph pushed powerful engine according test pilots better acceleration rate climb away target area quickly avoiding enemy ground air defences stated maximum speed mph unacceptable reasons pilots complained navigation powerplant instruments mixed easy read especially combat despite pilots praised aircraft handling qualities strong airframe problems resolved installing engine delays development forced installation line engine flight testing began august subsequent testing progress fell short hopes machine speed increased mph ground level mph maintaining good handling ability design basic design based series single engined metal fixed carry person crew main construction material external parts required strong construction wing flaps german aluminum containing element components bolts parts required heavy stress steel fitted aid ease maintenance overhaul designers avoided parts possible preferring cast parts instead large airframe segments complete unit increased speed repair airframe subdivided sections allow transport road rail wings standard double wing construction gave considerable advantage shallow angle large lift forces created reducing landing runs accordance stress group reached acceptable structural strength requirements dive bomber able withstand diving speeds mph maximum level speed mph near ground level flying weight performance diving attack enhanced introduction dive brakes wing allowed maintain constant speed allow pilot steady aim prevented crew suffering extreme forces high acceleration pull dive fuselage oval cross section housed water cooled inverted engine cockpit protected engine ahead wing center section fuel tanks located rear cockpit bulkhead covered canvas cover breached crew emergency enabling escape main fuselage canopy split sections joined strong steel frame canopy compartment sliding hood crew members engine mounted main support frames supported tubular frame structure fuselage main frames power plant quarter turn frames attached universal joints constructed sheets sides passing arranged harmful gases penetrate cockpit fuel system comprised fuel tanks main forward rear inner wing section port starboard wings gal capacity tanks limit passed warn pilot red warning light cockpit fuel injected pump tanks power plant shut pumped manually hand pump fuel powerplant cooled gal ring shaped aluminium water container situated propeller engine container gal positioned engine control surfaces operated way aircraft exception innovative automatic pull system releasing bomb initiated pull automatic recovery climb dive brakes pilot system significant force control column taking manual control wing unusual feature consisted single center section outer sections installed universal joints center section large negative outer surfaces positive created inverted wing pattern leading edge shape wing improved pilot ground visibility allowed shorter height center section offensive armament machine guns fitted wing operated mechanical system pilot control column rear gunner radio operator operated machine gun defensive purposes engine propeller automatic controls auto aircraft tail heavy pilot rolled dive lining red lines cockpit window horizon aiming target sight fixed gun heavy bomb swung clear propeller prior release diving procedure flying pilot located target window cockpit floor pilot moved dive rear limiting throw control column dive brakes activated automatically pilot set trim throttle closed flaps aircraft rolled automatically aircraft dive red upper surfaces wing visual indicator pilot case induced black automatic dive recovery system activated angle holding constant speed mph dive brake deployment increased accuracy aim aircraft reasonably close target light contact came indicate bomb release point usually minimum height pilot released bomb initiated automatic pull mechanism depressing control column elongated shaped located fuselage swung bomb way propeller aircraft automatically began nose horizon dive brakes retracted throttle opened propeller set climb pilot regained control resumed normal flight flaps reopened quickly prevent automatic pull liked pilots later said unit disconnected system allowed enemy predict recovery pattern height making easier ground defences hit aircraft physical stress crew severe human beings subjected forces seated position suffer vision form grey veil known pilots seeing stars lose vision remaining conscious seconds black pilots experienced visual pull dive brown british test pilot commanding officer captured enemy aircraft flight section tested said flown lot dive bombers dive truly vertically dive bombers maximum dive usually order degrees flying automatic flying vertically class force test extensive tests carried works plant discovered highest load pilot endure seconds aircraft pushed limit forces visual problems loss consciousness experienced pilots suffered visual problems grey vision vanished altogether upwards black occurred despite pilot maintain consciousness capable reactions seconds half subjects passed pilot regain consciousness seconds forces dropped lasted longer seconds position pilots withstand able remain functional short duration position concluded pilots withstand seconds vision defects war conditions acceptable tests new technologies tried reduce effects forces cabin great importance research testing revealed high altitude cause death cabin appropriate clothing new technology special clothing oxygen masks researched tested united_states_army occupied factory april impressed interested medical flight tests designs concept dive bombing popular leadership luftwaffe new aircraft designs later bomber models like equipped dive bombing strategic bomber initially supposed dive bombing capabilities requirement contributed failure design requirement rescinded september vulnerable fighter opposition fronts work develop replacement dedicated close support designs drawing board progressed far impact war technological difficulties luftwaffe settled fighter aircraft ground attack version started replace day missions continued night end war variants second prototype redesigned single vertical engine installed later series variant metal construction enclosed cockpit greenhouse framed canopy bearing twin radio masts aft sections mounted airframe unique version ease difficulty mass production leading edge wing straightened sections smooth leading trailing edges pilot adjust elevator rudder trim flight tail connected landing flaps positioned parts fuselage engine gave pilot better field vision order engine flattened engine set nearly fuselage lowered gunner position allowing gunner better field fire ordered seven initially increased order early tested varied bomb loads pointed insufficient quickly replaced power plant differed slightly installation gal fuel tanks built inner wing armoured protected intended fitted quartet machine guns wings omitted weight concerns pair remained fed total rounds ammunition stored design characteristic transverse large trousers versions onward pilot relied gun sight gunner single drums ammunition containing rounds represented round increase area fitted larger propeller capable carrying bomb carrying rear gunner radio operator power plant operations bomb load restricted weapons spanish civil war missions conducted gunner fitted stage significant difference iii pitch propeller produced factory near bremen new powerful model started replace time flown september registration flown february flown registration june flown march flown june flown august production variants pre production aircraft powered engine initial production version production version fitted improved engine series mass produced variant total pre production produced built production version considerably larger engine generating completely redesigned fuselage landing gear replacing twin radio masts version single mast mounted forward greenhouse canopy simpler lighter weight wheel version onwards transverse version design new design tested spain proving abilities production month result outbreak world war luftwaffe hand fitted essentially propeller driven diameter mounted wing leading edge directly forward landing gear edge fixed main gear weaken enemy morale enhance intimidation dive bombing enemy withdrawn devices caused loss mph drag instead bombs fitted fin produce noise release suggestion authors idea originated adolf_hitler followed improvements built number variants included ski equipped versions modification end tropical operation kit called italy received number named went members axis including hungary bulgaria romania oil hydraulic system closing flaps continued later designs production started built factory plant july production carried company april continued producing march long range version built known letter allegedly operational range primarily intended anti shipping missions series airframe additional oil tank fuel lines outer wing stations permit use gal capacity wing drop tanks wide variety luftwaffe aircraft war increased fuel capacity litres main fuel tank usable drop tanks prevent conditions bomb carrying ability restricted single bomb aircraft fully loaded fuel airframe exception modification fuselage enabled additional oil tank installed feed engine increase range addition extra fuel tanks airframe strengthened ensure withstand mph line engine installed replacing increase overall weight mph slower lower service ceiling increased range advantage variants developed built experimental expanded radio system crew communicate crew way tow rope differed powerplant known prototypes flown june conversion prototype powered flown august conversion flown november flown february flown october destroyed crash code built august decided introduce intended dive torpedo bomber kriegsmarine type ordered prototype production available testing january testing given months begin february end april prototype fixed wing test aircraft following modified folding wings prototypes powered engines owing delays completed march flew march designated flew time december arrested landings dry land found arresting gear weak replaced tests showed average braking distance metres designated october fitted standard equipment better wing folding mechanisms carrier built plant april july special equipment seat rubber signal ammunition emergency ammunition quick fuel dump mechanism gal bags wing gal bags fuselage enabled remain afloat days calm seas october war underway planned order point cancelled despite cancellation tests continued takeoff weight speed mph departure launched bomb bombs fuselage mounted wing operated rear gunner production switched known prototypes changed flown march flown despite vulnerability enemy fighters having exposed luftwaffe choice continue development replacement aircraft sight result series june ordered prototypes powerplant installed power performed poorly tests dropped series featured underneath sections wings oil cooler relocated position occupied single chin series introduced refined cockpit better visibility space addition armour protection increased new dual barrel machine gun extremely high rate fire installed rear defensive position engine power increased delivering bomb carrying ability nearly version version max load short ranges condition typical bomb load ranged internal fuel capacity raised usable adding additional wing tanks retaining option carry drop tanks tests airfield revealed possible flight duration hours minutes extra gal fuel tanks achieve hours flight time variant converting older series intended tropical version heavier armour protect crew ground fire armour reduced performance caused der luftwaffe place particular value production improved armour ground attack role number designated fitted night tropical equipment designation applied prototype torpedo bomber version carry aerial torpedo rack converted operated aircraft carrier modifications included flame unlike earlier variants cannon radio operator rear gunner ammunition supply increased rounds based design unique series wings metres feet longer previous variants wing guns exchanged powerful better suit aircraft ground attack role window floor cockpit reinforced previous installed higher diving speeds obtained mph range recorded ground level according operating instructions works document built limited numbers train pilots versions shortages raw materials mass production ground attack aircraft based upgraded standard armour wing cannons extended wing panels similar based fitted flame conduct night operations production variant started ordered aircraft delivered march wanted machines produced february company tasked production june september expected built increasing production problems encountered planned produced july hoped august delivered september planned roll production lines continued end time plant moved production berlin delivered production month expected spring end production manufactured january variety test beds variants start coastal test centre tested combination static position noted experiments successful suggested cannon installed testing continued january tested near training area noted increase drag reduced aircraft speed mph noted aircraft existing variants variants operated combat cannon known prototypes airframe conversion flown march airframe conversion flown march airframe conversion flown march airframe conversion flown march airframe conversion flown march known prototype flown june experiments unknown variants variant airframe found new life anti tank aircraft final operational version deployed eastern reverse german military fortunes appearance huge numbers armoured soviet tanks caused adapt existing design combat new threat proved potent ground attack weapon large fuel tanks vulnerable enemy fire prompting shortest possible time replacement type place soviet tanks priority targets development variant successor began november november raised question replacing altogether decided design power plant upgraded cannons added variant designed carry free fall bomb load furthermore armoured protection copied feature pioneered origin world war imperial germany protect crew ground fire required conduct low level attacks ace suggested guns self contained wing gun pod achieving success soviet tanks cannon gun pods fitted tank killer standard word germans spelling alphabet time inspired choice letter flight machine took place january piloted continuing problems dozens slow development equipped large based cannon gun pod beneath fuselage meant production april production delivered line units cannons mounted wing gun pods loaded round magazines armour piercing ammunition weapons cannon bird nicknamed proved successful hands aces converted older series retaining smaller wing dive brakes similar use extended wing built converted handful production committed opening day offensive flew official significant number variants fitted cannon operated unofficial battle june ordered production variants later influenced design book required reading members project night harassment variants soviet air_force practice german ground forces night drop bombs inspired luftwaffe form harassment squadrons july offered flame november finally authorised design directive new equipment difficult detect ground darkness pilots asked complete new blind flying certificate especially introduced new type operation pilots trained night unfamiliar terrain forced rely instruments direction standard replaced new exchanged help pilot instrument panel violet light installed november auxiliary created given east given respectively half night battle groups formed flying multitude different types aircraft including proved suited low level slow flying needed production despite problems ordered production wanted receive delivery machines january production capacity fully occupied licensing production facilities necessary produced september built factories factory september received construction orders paid development orders according records berlin end financial year september spent june produced seven built range sufficient dropped favour long range versions second half converted status production ordered development planned ordered production march expansion production lines compensate withdrawal production delayed production plant experienced production prompted visit threaten company meeting requirements february meet demands skilled workers needed skilled workers called military service able supply german workers factory interim solution soviet prisoners war soviet civilians deported germany working clock good received official demand increased chief general found unit needed standard strength average month cover attrition june december production capacity increase produced month august production climbed rapidly production scaled licence work shut production reached month spare parts failing reach production levels parts particularly short supply ordered production month september insufficient production capacity considered setting production facilities slovakia delay production buildings factories furnished machine tools tools short supply hoped purchase switzerland italy provide workers technical personnel produce machines month time demand increasing october production plans dealt blow plants burned leaving chronic shortage parts director member luftwaffe industry council reported january produced bremen berlin decline end production evaluating operations eastern ordered production limited month total general der general decided continued development hardly bring tactical value fighter pilot operational combat experience strike aircraft said abandoning development premature machines month sufficient july strike bomber production scaled fighter bomber destroyer production given priority august contradicted declared increase fighter production affect production important consideration life reduced months months operational flying hours october general der reported longer survive operations place finally agreed ordered minimal production smooth transition period production wound built rebuilt damaged machines months added force new repaired aircraft unknown built parts unofficially december end production overall completed factory production variants transferred company produce produced total course war little damage plant attacks caused little lasting damage succeeded damaging contrast plant bremen berlin little delay damage caused production despite heavy bombings large scale destruction inflicted targets went unscathed factory heavily attacked production ceased repair facility aircraft works destroyed site abandoned links operational history spanish civil war german aircraft designs participated german involvement spanish civil war single prototype allocated serial number assigned experimental legion fighter wing aircraft secretly loaded ship departed hamburg harbor night august arriving days later known information pertaining combat career spain piloted took nationalist offensive presumably aircraft secretly returned germany january arrived problems evident sank muddy airfield surfaces temporarily removed addition maximum bomb load carried gunner vacated seat bomb load restricted aircraft supported nationalist forces carried anti shipping missions returned germany october january returned spain morning january escorts attacked port barcelona days city captured republican fighters defending city aircraft operating city dive bombing ship republican pilot claimed destroyed near coma capable landing beach crashing time attacked capital january group prevented destruction bridge near barcelona demolition engineers attack republican ground defenders equipped quadruple mounting hit pilot legs crashed seriously injuring machine gunner casualties war returned experience spanish civil war proved air ground crews perfected skills equipment evaluated combat conditions tested numerous coordinated fighter opposition lesson learned later great cost crews second world war units moved germany eastern border preparation invasion poland morning august mass formation dive bombing demonstration high ranking commanders luftwaffe training grounds near crew members lost crashed ground simultaneously planes cloud expecting release practice bombs pull dive cloud ceiling unaware particular day ceiling low unexpected ground mist formed leaving time pull dive poland september invaded poland triggering world war der luftwaffe records indicate total force available operations august operation destroy polish demolition charges fixed rail bridges linked danzig corridor polish ordered perform low level attack polish army garrison headquarters iii targeted cables embankment electricity plant signal boxes poland exactly chain flight led carried bombing attack war attacked minutes official german declaration hostilities hit targets achieved complete success mission failed german_army delayed advance allowing poles carry repairs destroy bridges germans reach achieved air victory world war morning september shot polish fighter taking airfield pilot captain killed air air combat formations protected german fighter aircraft losses light short lived opposition reverted ground attack missions campaign opening air attacks involved controversial effective attacks lack anti aircraft artillery impact destroyed polish infantry division training troop trains easy targets destroyed target polish divisions trapped german forces forced surrender relentless day bombardment employed assault bombs caused casualties polish ground troops poles surrendered participated resulted breaking polish resistance dive bomber wings dropped tonnes tons bombs battle siege warsaw wings contributed defeat entrenched polish forces particularly effective destroying fortified luftwaffe anti shipping naval units deal polish naval forces unit performed effectively sinking ton destroyer moored harbour torpedo boat tons sunk general tons sunk september tons sister ships polish naval units trapped baltic destroyed operations enemy air opposition light force lost aircraft campaign norway began april invasions norway denmark denmark day whilst norway continued resist british french help campaign fast moving armoured divisions supported air power mountainous terrain ruled close cooperation instead germans relied airborne troops transported specialised ski troops given role ground attack anti shipping missions proved effective weapon luftwaffe carrying task april took occupied airfields destroy loss german cruiser disrupted amphibious landings oslo helped suppress norwegian defenders ensuing defenders surrender oslo captured result german naval operation failed caught ton norwegian destroyer hit engine room run aground scuttled wings equipped new differed having increased internal fuel capacity drop tanks range numerous successes allied naval vessels particular royal_navy posed formidable threat german naval coastal operations heavy cruiser suffolk attacked april stern virtually destroyed scapa_flow dead wounded crewmen light cruiser squadron consisting sister ships subjected lengthy attacks badly damaged lost witness later said threatened screaming nerve dive fate nearly sloop black swan april bomb passed quarter deck water tank inch magazine hull explode explosion limited damage hull fired rounds failed shoot attackers hms sunk april french large destroyer sunk evacuation forward magazine hit killing crew attempted rescue survivors sunk loss sailors officers men soldiers survivors lost aboard ships targeted armed german air umbrella attempt provide smaller targets craft armoured armed demonstrated april sank tons tons polish tons sunk operational effect little damage vice admiral commanded home_fleet expedition seven destroyers heavy cruiser aircraft carriers glorious battleship waves achieved near misses unable obtain hit victor ordered ship operate range norwegian airfields effect driven british sea power norwegian coast victor reported commander chief home fleet admiral carrier operations longer practical current conditions following weeks continued sea operations caught sank transports tons tons took bombing town support german forces command town fell week remaining weeks campaign norway supported german forces containing allied land forces withdrew early june france low countries units learned lessons polish norwegian campaigns failures poland silence fort ensured attention paid pin point bombing war period pay western campaign fall case yellow began helped swiftly fortress belgium headquarters commander responsible ordering destruction held bridges albert canal stationed village north demonstrated accuracy small building destroyed direct hits result bridges destroyed allowing german_army rapidly advance opening days proved useful asset low countries pitched battles french armoured forces effectively artillery armour assisted german forces concert british evacuating reserves country ports sank dutch jan van tons tons provided close shore artillery support british valentine crippled beached scuttled winchester westminster damaged later beached scuttled air attack units instrumental equipped units concentrated assisted breakthrough critical major land battle war french territory flew sorties french positions flying individual missions benefited heavy fighter protection units resistance organised vulnerable example near french group interception attacked formation claiming loss germans recorded losses entire allied opposition battles operations broke offered pin point aerial artillery support german infantry luftwaffe benefited excellent ground air communications campaign radio equipped forward liaison officers direct attack enemy positions axis advance cases responded minutes chief staff said smoothly functioning system discussing planning joint operations achieved battle allied ships lost attacks british operation sought evacuate british french armies pocket french destroyer sunk followed steamer french channel steamer followed operated maximum effectiveness weather allowed raf fighter units held allied air cover best destroyer grenade sunk outside harbour severe loss life french destroyer crippled bomb damage day jaguar badly damaged tons bombardment merchant ship tons sunk having taken soldiers attacks brought evacuation halt time rail ships tons sunk allies lost vessels sunk damaged june sank tons destroyer keith sunk crippled scuttled later badly damaged dover commissioned weeks sunk evening french destroyer sank mass attack victories shipping claimed nightfall june steamer lost carrying dutch soldiers killed oil tanker destroyed flotilla french lost tons tons venus tons total grt lost royal_navy lost destroyers battle sunk damaged service campaign ended french surrender june allied air power ineffective result losses mainly ground fire machines force destroyed damaged causes june luftwaffe order battle included bomber wings equipped iii iii committed battle anti shipping weapon proved potent weapon early stages battle july successful attack convoy english channel sinking damaged afternoon delivered single deadly air assault british territory history iii avoiding royal_air_force raf interception sank ton anti aircraft ship portland harbour killing crew gunners leading continued fire ship sank awarded posthumous victoria_cross remaining post despite mortally wounded mantle responsible single lost raid august success august opening main german attacks airfields took place known luftwaffe eagle day sent advance main strike successfully drew raf fighters allowing attack raf kent attack killed station commander destroyed raf aircraft ground great airfield buildings station proved time vulnerable hostile skies organised determined fighter opposition like dive bombers slow possessed inadequate defences furthermore effectively protected fighters low speed low altitudes ended dive bomb attacks depended air superiority thing contested britain withdrawn attacks britain august losses leaving luftwaffe precision ground attack aircraft steady losses occurred participation battle august known hardest day sides suffered heavy losses withdrawn destroyed damaged according der luftwaffe destroyed damaged varying degrees weeks operations total strength lost august myth shattered succeed sinking warships merchant ships badly damaging seven airfields radar stations destroying british aircraft mainly ground august units viii moved bases concentrated closer area proposed invasion britain september luftwaffe targeted airfields small number crossing coast heading anti shipping operations attacks resumed units november new winter tactic enforcing blockade days seven merchant ships sunk damaged mainly loss november iii escort drawn went convoy targets found estuary proceeded attack dover alternate target bad weather resulted decline anti shipping operations long groups began deploying poland concealed build spring remained facing united_kingdom operations small scale continued winter months march targets included ships sea thames estuary chatham naval dockyard dover night bomber sorties channel attacks resumed following winter north_africa mediterranean response italian defeats greece north_africa der ordered deployment german forces theatres luftwaffe contingent deployed command unit touched sicily december days groups deployed task attack british shipping passing sicily africa presence felt british aircraft carrier heavy attack crews confident sink flight deck area square metres january crews told direct hits bombs sink carrier delivered damaging near misses ship engines untouched besieged harbour malta italian equipped italian government asked supply italian pilots sent austria trained dive bombing aircraft spring luftwaffe aircraft delivered italian renamed turn assigned malta allied convoys mediterranean north_africa took conquering saw action opening phase italian invasion greece october numbers low ineffective comparison german operations italian forces quickly pushed early greeks pushed italian occupied albania hitler decided send military aid ally luftwaffe intervene italian achieved successes squadron sinking navy freighter april torpedo boat sunk later day april greek freighter sunk accounted british tanker destroyer june british cricket supply submarine victims crippled later sunk italian warships march pro german yugoslav government toppled furious hitler ordered attack expanded include yugoslavia operation commenced april luftwaffe committed campaign spearheaded air assault line strength machines minimal yugoslav resistance air allowing develop reputation region operating took heavy toll ground forces suffering light losses ground fire effectiveness dive bombers helped bring yugoslav capitulation days took peripheral operation punishment hitler retribution bombing belgrade dive bombers attack airfields anti aircraft gun positions whilst level bombers struck civilian targets belgrade badly damaged people reported killed injured greece despite british aid little air opposition encountered allies withdrew resistance collapsed allies began evacuating crete inflicted severe damage allied shipping april ton destroyers sunk days greek naval base lost vessels attack played significant role germans attempted send reinforcements crete sea lost vessels force command rear admiral force consisting cruisers forced remaining german ships retreat called deal british naval threat destroyer sunk day battleship damaged cruiser sunk loss officers ratings crippled cruiser morning later finished fighter bombers sinking destroyer hms hit drew close allies began withdrawal royal_navy lost destroyers kelly followed severely damaged evacuating soldiers north_africa killed wounded dive bomber wing supported year campaign north_africa main task attacking allied shipping operations north_africa dominated lasted seven months served battle battle decisive second battle drove tunisia tide turned allied air power grew autumn vulnerable losses heavy entry americans north_africa situation far worse obsolete fighter bomber war fight enemy fighters equal terms dropping ordnance vulnerability demonstrated november shot minutes allies enjoyed air supremacy north_africa ventured strength bombs sight enemy aircraft adding trouble german fighters fuel cover vulnerable point dive bombers continued operations southern europe italian surrender september participated campaign sized victory campaign occupied british luftwaffe committed based october recover islands raf bases kilometres away helped german landing forces rapidly conquer islands october sunk patrol vessel steam ship light tank carrier october sank landing craft cargo ship october light cruiser aurora action year light cruisers badly damaged destroyer sunk capitulation allied force proved final victory british eastern june commenced invasion soviet_union luftwaffe order battle june contained dive bomber wings viii command general der equipped units stab iii included stab iii attached command general der stab iii command operating norway allotted loss soviet german occurred early morning june escorted attack shot dive bomber wing suffered losses opening day result luftwaffe attention western soviet_union nearly destroyed official report claimed soviet aircraft destroyed ordered checked picking way wreckage luftwaffe officers found tally exceeded days soviets reported loss aircraft soviet aerial resistance continued ceased effective luftwaffe maintained air superiority end year took huge toll soviet ground forces helping break soviet armour eliminating disrupting enemy supply lines demonstration effectiveness occurred july knocked trains vehicles 1st 2nd groups forced river closed rendered support september destroyed rail network vicinity inflicting heavy casualties escaping columns loss september decorated sank soviet battleship air attack harbour near hit bow single bomb action sank destroyer destroyer submarine sunk crippled battleship destroyers exchange shot eastern assisted army group centre drive moscow december vehicles tanks destroyed greatly improving morale german infantry defensive finished campaign effective dive bomber wing destroyed vehicles tanks artillery batteries trains loss hostile action end lost aerial combat ground lost air ground lost dive bombers air ground enemy action operating norway lost aerial combat fall early gave german_army valuable support december soviet landed luftwaffe able dispatch reinforcements bomber groups dive bomber groups belonging air superiority operated days battle peninsula half landing force destroyed sea lanes blocked inflicting heavy losses soviet shipping effectiveness soviet armour potent later versions tank withstand attack general direct hit scored soviet types thin armour nearly destroyed repeatedly bombed trapped soviet forces pilots flew sorties soviet defenders flew combat sorties dropping tonnes bombs city efforts help secure capitulation soviet forces july german summer offensive fall luftwaffe concentrated aircraft making largest powerful air command world strength stood flew thousands sorties soviet positions city flew sorties october pushed soviets metre west bank sorties flown small strip land intense air attack causing horrific losses soviet units failed destroy luftwaffe force maximum effort phase war flew average sorties day caused heavy losses soviet forces losing average day battle marked high point fortunes strength soviet grew gradually control skies luftwaffe point onward losses increased decline heavily involved operation citadel battle luftwaffe committed iii iii command iii committed command viii cannon equipped devastating effect soviet armour participated huge aerial counter offensive lasting july soviet offensive saved german armies reducing attacking soviet 11th guards army tanks july soviet offensive completely halted air losses considerable lost july july july july arm lost holders lost period july lost july december lost aircraft period september units equipped ground attack versions began renamed attack wings face overwhelming air opposition dive bomber required heavy protection german fighters counter soviet fighters units like continued operate great success operating variants equipped cannons tank killers increasingly small numbers wake defeat played vital defensive role southern wing eastern combat luftwaffe soviets deploy fighter aircraft result suffered heavily lost august reported loss aircraft combat operations despite losses helped break near included substantial use units unsuccessful stemming advances units loss air superiority vulnerable ground aces lost way aftermath strength fell aircraft total percent required strength october renamed wings reflecting ground attack role combat wings ground attack aircraft series aircraft luftwaffe dive bomber units ceased exist small number retained anti shipping operations black_sea role proved successful operating mediterranean october evident carried attacks soviet black sea fleet october powerful flotilla fleet comprising class destroyers caught sunk dive disaster decreed ships pass range german aircraft personal permission operation berlin end war allies gained air supremacy replaced ground attack versions early number units operational aircraft declined soviet summer offensive groups mixed groups including luftwaffe order battle june mixed aircraft unit included large numbers dive bombers rushed finnish summer instrumental halting soviet fourth strategic offensive unit claimed soviet tanks soviet aircraft destroyed losses january remained operational units mixed units contained chronic fuel shortages kept grounded sorties decreased end war final months war ground attack groups able impose operational constraints enemy notably aircraft participated defence berlin january 1st initiated offensive offensive ground early phases soviets soon air support unable use forward filled airfields germans fallen air bases good facilities concrete able mount attacks soviet army columns reminiscent early years luftwaffe able inflict high losses largely unopposed vehicles destroyed weeks days february vehicles tanks lost german air attacks forced abandon attempt capture berlin mid february participated intense battles small numbers largest concentration german air power late february germans able achieve challenge air superiority eastern air offensive instrumental saving berlin albeit months effort exhausted german fuel reserves contribution exemplified claimed enemy tanks february operators bulgaria bulgarian air czechoslovakia air force operated captured aircraft nazi germany hungary royal hungarian air kingdom italy regia japan romania royal romanian air republic air spain spanish air_force united kingdom royal air force tested captured variants war united_states operated tunisia short time crashed written yugoslavia operated captured aircraft postwar survivors intact survive aircraft displayed abandoned north_africa found british forces donated british government sent usa war fully restored wisconsin later ground attack variant displayed london captured british forces thought built rebuilt variant possibly fitting outer wings airframe wings hard points gun pods fitted captured german aircraft selected british museum preservation assigned air historical branch aircraft stored displayed raf sites moved permission given use aircraft film modified resemble variant engine found excellent condition little difficulty starting returning aircraft considered costly filmmakers ultimately models film represent film modifications removed aircraft returned original configuration aircraft survive wreckage recovered crash sites owned flying heritage collection believed long term restoration fly served bearing code recovered united_kingdom berlin wreckage complete aircraft recovered separate crash sites near purchased new_zealand collector originally planned remains restored displays remains aircraft crashed near raised october recovered underwater near rhodes code display belgrade parts rumoured sold british buyer found village poland october body romanian pilot found wreckage specifications data general characteristics crew length wingspan height wing area weight loaded weight max takeoff weight powerplant liquid cooled inverted engine propellers blade propeller engine propeller diameter performance exceed speed mph mph maximum speed mph range bomb load service ceiling bomb load armament guns machine gun forward machine gun rear bombs normal load bomb beneath fuselage bombs underneath wing
Junkers Ju 87