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  The Stuka Germany  
  THE JUNKERS Ju87 dive bomber, or Stuka, dropped the first bombs of World War II in Poland on 1 September 1939.

The Stuka was ugly. It had a two-man crew with the gunner facing rearwards. Earlier series were equipped with a siren - a psychological weapon.

The first Ju87 flew on 17 September 1935. In the years to come, many improvements and upgrades were made on the original design. The were six series produced:
  • A (Anton)
  • B (Berta)
  • C (intended for aircraft carrier use)
  • D (Dora)
  • G (Gustav)
  • R (Reichweite meaning range)

Each series usually had variants.

Ju87A's first served in the Spanish Civil War. At the start of the Second World War, dive bombing units were equipped primarily with Ju87Bs which had a larger engine than the Anton.

The Battle of Britain highlighted the weaknesses of the Stuka and they were easy prey for Hurricanes and Spitfires.

For the inhabitants of Tobruk, "Stuka Parades" were all too common.

The Stuka dived at an angle of 70-80º. Bomb release was at a height of around 450 metres.

The Ju87 was also used by the Regia Aeronautica where they were nicknamed Picchiatelli ("crazy dive bomber").

Troops reported that unless you were above ground and within 500 yards (450m) of the bomb detonation point, there was little risk of injury.

 >> Stuka is a contraction of the word Sturzkampfflugzeug for diving battle aircraft.


Australian War Memorial
 Negative 106483

Europe. c. 1941. German Air Force Stuka aircraft in flight.

 

  

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Last updated: Saturday, January 27, 2001 2:36 PM